China: The Photographs of Lois Conner
Since 1985, Conner has hauled a 40-pound banquet camera around China. This camera produces 7" x 17" negatives, which give her a panoramic view of the large, visually complex nation. The foreword by Jonathan Spence (sinology, Yale Univ.) is both an appreciation of Conner's work and a useful guide to the politics, culture, and economics that lie beneath her photographs. China, as presented here, is both a dusty relic and a carelessly patched together place full of dangling wires, unfinished projects, and flimsy-looking architecture that is an enduring eyesore. The Chinese, who move in and out of these images, are not camera shy; they appear ready for the modern world while often dwelling where it intersects with a muddy path through a shantytown. There is little beauty here, but there are carefully composed and lovingly textured images of a China that has mysteries yet to be revealed. Conner has made an important visual contribution for all Westerners interested in China. Expensive but recommended.DDavid Bryant, New Canaan Lib., CTCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.