YINGGUANG GUO - The bliss of conformity

Yingguang Guo
The bliss of conformity

Published by Maison de Z, 2018
First edition
New condition
Book Size 28.7 × 20.5 cm
Pages: 86 pages
Binding: Softcover
Language: English, Chinese
Limited Edition 800

Armed with a piece of paper showing name, date of birth, occupation and a photo, the mothers and fathers of Shanghai’s People’s Park, captured by Chinese artist Yingguan Guo, seek to arrange marriages for their children. Having been cast aside herself due to her advanced age (at 33), Guo began documenting the bizarre, frantic matchmaking ceremonies that take place between desperate parents from far and near: Every few pages, the photobook contains pockets in which Guo has hidden scenes taken with a spy camera, capturing discussions with matchmakers like: “How old are you?” – “Born in 1983” – “Oh, good luck. You are very brave.”
Winner of the Madame Figaro Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival Prize 2017.

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Armed with a piece of paper showing name, birthdate, profession and a picture, the mothers and fathers in Shanghai's People's Park, captured by Chinese artist Yingguan Guo, are looking to arrange marriages for their children. Having herself been dumped because of her advanced age (at 33 years), Guo began documenting the strange, frenzied matchmaking ceremonies taking place between desperate parents both from afar and nearby: every few pages, the photobook contains brittle pockets in which Guo hid scenes taken with a spy camera, capturing her interactions with the matchmakers. “How old are you?” - “Born in 1983” - “Oh, good luck. You are very brave.” Winner of the 2017 Prix Madame Figaro Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival.