disCONNEXION_D4, A3, B3, 2012 - Xing Danwen

Xing Danwen's DisCONNECTION series (2002) is a powerful set of images of industrial electronic waste that western countries have dumped in China. "E-trash," as it is commonly known, is a serious issue for many developing nations; however, the artist has been able to approach this issue using a provocative and aesthetic methodology. Photographed in Guangdong Province, close-ups works feature mounds of circuit boards, plastic cords, and computer housings, each rendered with sharp allover focus and luscious chromatic saturation. These works use a flattened, full-format layout that can evoke in the viewer a familiar yet distant, attractive yet disturbing response. From these beautiful almost portrait pictures created by these inorganic plastic products, we can see the hidden truth lying behind the slogans of globalization: just as developed countries provide less developed countries with opportunities for economic development, they also transmit the dangers of environmental pollution. These past two decades have witnessed China's rise from a third-world country to international superpower. However, in a country with over 1 billion people, China's rapid industrial development has also lead to increased pollution, smog, and degradation of natural resources. Xing Danwen was one of the first Chinese photographers to bring attention to this pressing issue.

The DisCONNECTION series is comprised of over 40 images, each with a number to identify the work. The artist's concept is to combine multiple images and create an installation that conveys the immensity of the problem.