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Kal Khogali | all galleries >> Beyond The Seen - Book Preview >> BEYOND THE SEEN >> Transformation > 100 Acre Wood, Shanghai 2006

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03-FEB-2006

100 Acre Wood, Shanghai 2006

Canon EOS 20D
1/320s f/3.2 at 40.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Copyright Kal Khogali Š2004-2009. www.kal-khogali.com

KimKong		11-Feb-2006 18:32
Kal, I don't know many people capturing the life of China like you, you are doing it in such deep and interesting way. I really like your vision and your motive. You are doing a wonderful work! My view concerning the evolution is that it is inevitable. The only hope we can have is that it happens in a balanced way. I doubt it is happening so far and this capture is a perfect illustration of this. As you said, people would care more for Pooh than their door... Regards, Kim.

Guest		07-Feb-2006 14:04
Kal, this is a striking image. I am waiting to the door to be opened, and a kid to came out....

...duncan		06-Feb-2006 23:24
Kal and Stan, The influx of crapola product from other countries is not, for the most part, the fault of the countries that the goods are imported from. I am speaking of America and the products imported. It is by the most part the fault of the companies of America themselves and looking for cheaper labour to make their product. We often see many companies closing down factories in the US and looking to developing countries for low-cost labour. Higher cost of labour in the US pushed the labour force elsewhere for major companies and many smaller ones searching of a higher profit margin. I don’t mind that companies set up business in China or search for a low cost labour and higher profit margin again that is the nature or capitalism. However some things should be sacred. Many Christians would be upset if the Pope did adverts for Pepsi or Coke and pointed to a logo on his robes after genuflecting. The image that Kal posted brings about many questions. Like, how much did a simple Pooh throw rug cost the family that lives there? Did they sacrifice meals for a taste of Disneyland? Behind that door is there a Sony widescreen TV with a Panasonic DVD? We don’t know. These questions are brought up in America with people living off of the dole, welfare, and how they may or may not be abusing the system. The difference is that in America we have cost of living and systems set up to control the poverty level. Unfortunately they don’t really work all that well but then again we are a capitalistic country and not socialistic. Even still there is still the quest for Disney and Starbucks without having the means to get it but still somehow you see it in the lives of nearly everyone in America and spreading throughout the world. Disney should be proud of its impact on the western culture but when does the dollar stop being the ultimate goal in life? Humanity should always be top priority but that is lost in the goal for money. Having a Starbucks in the Forbidden City does not do much at all for the Chinese but it makes a nice cuppa for the tourists who stop there.

Guest		06-Feb-2006 08:48
The Pooh bear makes this almost an unreal image. Very very nice.

Ray Rebortira		06-Feb-2006 06:12
The image and the ensuing eloquent discussion remind me of Susan Sontag's essay, "Wtnessing," where she says, "Seeing reality in the form of an image cannot be more than an invitation to pay attention, to reflect, to learn ... A photograph can't coerce. It won't do the moral work for us. But it can start us on the way." Indeed! ''

Kal Khogali		06-Feb-2006 00:52
Well said Stan..life is about leading a good life. It's hard when you take an image not to refelct a judgement on what you see. The photographic image is powerful, because it only offers the frame as context...the rest, we make up for ourselves. Like I said in my post, I am taking the images I do, because I know that in ten years time much of it will not be here. The present is history, so to speak. Is Pooh the future? Well if he is, maybe that constitutes progress? In the end, as you say lifes forces are greater than all of us. As a photojournalist (and oh I would love to be a real one!) you try and record what it is all about in a way that provokes a reaction. As a global world we are getting smaller, and as we do, the value systems merge, some for the good and some for the bad. I try to show that there are always two worlds in existence, either within an image, or by alternating images...a way to remind people that there is an Alter Ego to each of our worlds. I guess what you describe is the Alter Ego to mine...a kind of western world slowly being taken over by immigration and foreign foods, religeons and traditions.....some good....some bad. Thanks for your insight Stan. You are a kind and honest man. K

Wolfgang		05-Feb-2006 18:07
By the way, that cold beer would probably be a Becks or Tsing Tao.

Wolfgang		05-Feb-2006 17:53
Regarding the next two posts by Duncan and Kal: The world is a rapidly evolving place. It always has been. With technology, communication and the ease of travel, it's ever smaller and becoming more ever more homogenized. New populations and demographics are growing like weeds everywhere as we crowd ourselves out. As I look around in any direction here in California, we have Thai food, and a Sushi restaurant on every corner between the Starbucks, MacDonalds, etc., of which you speak. Go to any store anywhere, and it's stuffed to the bursting point with an avalanche of Chinese Crapola that has smothered out products from every other country. Outside of technology, lawyers, politicians, cons and welfare pimps, there are very few "traditions" of recent generations left around here either. So now please tell me .... which culture is impressing itself on another? If we open our eyes, this crass exploitation, Big Grab and abuse of humanity and natural wealth or potential goes on everywhere. Even more so in emerging countries under the thumb of more rampant levels of corruption. On another tack, we can say it also depends on our own personal perspective, according to our own very ephemeral view of the timeline of our own lives. Each persons perspective of "change" usually spans 10 to 30 years. Before or after that is a part of oblivion. What kind of impression did Genghis Khan have on local culture as he swept across that part of the world to Europe? I would guess it was more than picking up a tasty biodegradable cup of Starbucks Vienna Roast near the river in Shanghai. Kal, your photos and the posts of your fans provoke me. It's all rich food for thought. I have no answers. Sipping a cold beer and smiling at people I meet delights me. Then what? This kind of introspection boggles me. In the end, I've decided I want to try to be a good person and do what's right. Life's forces are far greater than any of us, so we may as well enjoy the ride as much as we can.

Kal Khogali		05-Feb-2006 04:42
Disturbing for many reasons Duncan. This is not a rich home, but they know Pooh well enough to care for him more than that door that gives them privacy. China is a changing place. Every day a part of it's culture is being dismanteled. I find it interesting that the One-Child Policy in itself has played a part...no more family loyalties and passing on of traditions, a lot of "little emperors" who want..just simply want, and their parents are devoted to their only child and will get them everthing they want. I covered this theme in another image, but on a more capitalist idea...coffee as opium (a refrence to the old opium wars)...you can find it herehttp://www.pbase.com/shangheye/image/52380862 That was about exactly what you were talking about. Starbucks, Mcdonalds, KFC, they are all here. And yes the Chinese love them....not because they taste any better than chinese food, but because of what they symbolise to a new generation....aspiration to be like the west "progress". Thanks for your eloquent concern Duncan, it's why I am taking the pictures I am, because they represent something that is disappearing. Rgds, Kal

...duncan		05-Feb-2006 03:08
Kal, this is an excellent image. What bothers me most about it is Pooh. I suppose it would be different if it was one of Ernest Shepard’s drawings of Pooh but it is the dumb-ed down Disney version. I mean no disrespect toward either western or eastern culture. However it is disturbing to see the influence one culture has over another. Not just disturbing but shocking. Being around kids I am subject to the Disneyfication of children. Predominantly it is not a bad thing. Their product is, for the most part, much friendlier than most on the market today. I don’t know, it could be my mood, but this, to me, is a telling image of one culture impressing itself on another. Next thing there will be McDonalds at the entrance to the great wall and KFC at the Wailing Wall and BK in the Forbidden City. Sorry for the rant.

Guest		04-Feb-2006 19:11
Great shot - the Pooh charcter adds adds a sense of interest and can be interpreted in a number of differnt ways. For me, it gives a sense of sadness and hope at the same time. In addition, a very stron composition. I really like the choice of vertical crop. Excellent. Vote.

Marisa Livet		04-Feb-2006 15:34
So many elements of interest once again! I love this picture, or else I would not comment it. It makes me think over also about either voluntary or involuntary humour. I’m not sure that what is involuntary can be really called humour, I thing the concept of humour implies the intention, the will to n something in a certain way. Involuntarily humour can have also a sad face, exactly because it doesn’t correspond to the author’s purpose. The texture and the crop in this picture are extremely appealing for my personal sensitiveness to images, but what makes me smile and think over about the meaning of causality is the fact that I think Winnie Pooh is hang on in the wrong position, he should lie down and rest on his back, but he’s put on as if he was standing up and walking…. Am involuntary symbol of the priority of action against laziness?? An invitation to progress on the glorious way of work instead of taking shelter in useless contemplation ( big smile)? Seriously, very nice picture indeed and very clever contrast of cultures! Marisa

...duncan		04-Feb-2006 14:05
The wide arms of The Wonderful World of Disney reach far beyond the western world.

Craig Persel		04-Feb-2006 12:57
Well seen.

Rene Hales		04-Feb-2006 12:48
The bear looks so out of place. Nice image!--Rene

Guest		04-Feb-2006 11:05
Great documentary image.