Interesting souls, converging into interesting cities. In the city, there is always something that touches us. They explore possibilities in their own fields, break boundaries, make cities more textured, and make life more interesting. What is the difference between Jiangnan in their eyes and what you know?
Talk to 100 interesting people.
vol.31 Guest: Shen Xun.
Use the lens to record life, and use the image to retain the touch. Some time ago, in order to commemorate the "80th anniversary of the Yan'an Double Support Movement" and the "70th anniversary of the victory of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea", the "Mountains and Rivers Are Unharmed" Portrait Photography Exhibition of Veterans was held in Wuxi's Canal Hui Wuxi Special Exhibition, aiming to record the banners carried by our fathers in those eventful years with real images, and at the same time remember these revolutionary heroes who symbolize the indomitable spirit of the nation and the banner of national resistance.
The power of the image lies in the fact that it not only captures every detail of reality, but also reveals the deep philosophy behind things, and then breathes fresh life into time. In Wuxi, there is a "builder" Shen Xun who likes to record moving moments with images, and continues to record the bits and pieces of the city with the camera in his hand. In this issue of Free Talk, we invited Shen Xun, vice president and secretary general of Wuxi Real Estate Association, member of China Photographers Association, and chairman of Wuxi Construction Culture and Art Center, to take a look at Wuxi that we have not noticed along with his images.
In Wuxi, there is a bustling street and alley where humanities gather - Xueqian Street. It is not only the cultural center of Wuxi, but also the former residence of many celebrities, and the former site of Wuxi County School is also lined up. In the 40s of the last century, Wuxi did not have Xueqian Street.
After the snow fell in the winter of 1941, my father photographed the Tie River, which is now called Xueqian Street, and at that time Xueqian Street was still a river called the Tie River. This is also the most precious legacy left to me by my father, because it records the history and culture of Wuxi. ”
Shen's father's photographic works record the good memories of the older generation in Wuxi. This love and dedication to photography is like a seed, deeply rooted in Shen Xun's heart. Later, he also followed his father's example and used the lens to capture those heart-warming moments. Shen Xun's photography journey began with the pursuit of beauty.
Perhaps it was because he was a child, by chance, when he went to perform in Wuxi Song and Dance Troupe with his friends, Shen Xun used his friend's camera to shoot two works, which were successfully selected for the 12th Wuxi Photography Art Exhibition. This greatly stimulated Shen Xun's passion for photography, especially for stage photography.
However, the difficulty of shooting stage photography was far more difficult than he imagined, and in order to improve his skills, Shen Xun decided to seek professional guidance. Finally, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Shen Xun successfully exhibited and collected the stage photography work of Yang Liping's "Peacock Winter".
With the increasing sophistication of technology, Shen Xun's photography skills have gradually sublimated, from the simple pursuit of beauty to the more emphasis on capturing those moments that can touch people's hearts.
I have been engaged in construction for 22 years and real estate development for 23 years, and I have always been involved in architecture, and I am full of feelings for architecture. Some people say that the building is solidified, and we build it to contribute to the beautification of the city and the improvement of people's livelihood, I think it is worth it. "
In the 23 years of real estate development, Shen Xun knows that behind every building, there are countless workers' sweat and wisdom, and always insists on recording every project with photography. He personally photographed many real estate projects in Wuxi as a precious record of the project. Every time he mentions a real estate, he introduces its features and design philosophy in detail.
Led by Shen Xun, the Sunshine City Garden project is located on the bank of the Mother River in Wuxi City, integrating with water culture and providing residents with a quiet and beautiful living environment. The tallest of them, the Twin Towers, was 33 storeys tall and had an advanced design that was extremely rare in the real estate market at the time.
Through these precious images, we deeply feel Shen Xun's deep and strong love for the land of Wuxi. His photographs not only document the urban development of Wuxi, but also show his unique emotions and persistent pursuit of this land.
With the precipitation of time, Shen Xun has a deeper understanding and understanding of video art. He began to pay attention to the laborers behind the silent buildings, who shaped the city with sweat and hands. He realized that these ordinary workers were the true soul of architecture, and their stories and emotions should be seen and heard by more people.
Gradually, I found that the most powerful thing is documentary photography, especially recording the lives of ordinary people, which has become one of my main creative directions, and then I have led the Wuxi Migrant Workers Photography Festival for 9 consecutive years. ”
When developing a well-known high-end project in Wuxi, Shen Xun held a cool evening party for migrant workers. The party invited the leaders of the city and district, colleagues in the real estate industry and migrant workers, as well as the students of Hefei University of Technology who were practicing at the construction site at that time, to participate, and the scene was very lively. The celebration scene of the night was captured and released by Xinhua News Agency, which attracted widespread attention and discussion across the country.
After the event, Shen Xun launched the first Construction Workers Photography Festival, providing migrant workers with disposable cameras and encouraging them to record beautiful moments in life. The following year, the whole society's attention to migrant workers was unprecedentedly high, and the "Construction Workers Photography Festival" was renamed the "Migrant Workers Photography Festival".
In the years that followed, Shen Xun insisted on documenting the lives of migrant workers with his camera. Although the migrant workers in front of his camera did not know each other, they had the same emotions through video recording. At the Yangtze River Shipyard, Shen Xun photographed the smiling faces of two painters, capturing their heartfelt and infectious smiles in their hard work. This work won the first prize in the "Glory of Labor" photography competition held by Jiangnan Evening News and Wuxi Federation of Trade Unions, showing the happiness of workers in hard work and conveying praise for the glory of labor.
In his photography career, Shen Xun has been keen to photograph architectural works that he has developed and is proud of. Every time I see my grandson pointing to the photo and excitedly shouting, "This is the house built by my grandfather", the pride and satisfaction are beyond words. The fact that the houses he lives in now are also masterpieces that were developed many years ago, which makes these buildings add a special emotion to his heart. From market research, positioning to design to construction, every link embodies his hard work and sweat, and watching these buildings grow from scratch undoubtedly brings him a full sense of achievement and happiness.
With the passage of time, Shen Xun's photographic perspective has gradually changed. In recent years, he has begun to use his lens to capture those ordinary but powerful moments, those beauty that are easily overlooked in daily life. His works are not only a tribute to laborers, but also an expression of the pursuit and yearning for a better life.