Comments on: david degner – uighur identity in xinjiang

By: Uighur Identity in Xinjiang, by David Degner « The Invisible Ph t grapher Asia

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:02:39 +0000

[...] View Photo Essay : http://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2010/01/david-degner-uighur-identity-in-xinjiang/ [...]

By: dlp

dlp — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:10:17 +0000

There are some nice pictures here. But let’s not be dishonest and claim that this series presents a coherent picture of “Uighur identity”. Most of the pictures individually don’t even say much about the Uighur predicament, though I do think photography’s power to say much about anything is incredibly limited and always fails to attain the highest level of objectivity. Xinjiang is indeed an incredible place and the Uighurs occupy a fascinating place within China and the region’s history. Yet, in my view, this as a series doesn’t add up to anything substantial. Not only does it not really move me, it doesn’t say much – as a body of work – to me. I am sure that issues of identity for Uighurs is less complex than most Western sympathisers imply: most do not feel torn between culture and country. Most Uighurs I know and have met (having lived in China for 9 years) loathe the Chinese government and the Han Chinese. Some are politically motivated to change this (some becoming extremists as evidenced in Uighurs found in Afghanistan fighting for the Taliban) and some just want to get on and make a living, just like people anywhere. I think Daniel, who says he is Uighur, is romanticising somewhat, as many diasporans do, about the “erosion” of Uighur culture in China. They have a very strong sense of ethnic, religious and cultural identity, despite the Hanification of the education system in Xinjiang. They have not been assimilated, as the Manchus were into the Han culture during the Qing dynasty. If anything, being under the Chinese yoke has made them more fiercely “Uighur”. Islam, as a fundamentally segregationist religion, contributes to this sense of unity. To return to the series here, as I said, there are some nice shots, but overall I cannot see what the connection is between them, not at least visually. I’ve seen so many “stories” on Xinjiang, its hard not to be cynical. For to romanticise an “oppressed ethnic group” does not only have to be done in the way the Han Chinese do — i.e. make them appear happy and colourful and enjoying their lives — it can also be to portray precisely the reverse.

By: AndreaC

AndreaC — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:47:34 +0000

I’ve only had the quickest look but I think this is great and I will definitely be back for a second look when I get home eventually. I am glad to see more rather than less for a change. I love your spare stand back style. Nothing like travel photography to me. Its got that cool modernist feel and I think it works well here. I like the B/W but I think this could be good in colour too.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:05:42 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by retorta: RT @davidalanharvey: New BURN post: david degner – uighur identity in xinjiang http://bit.ly/7vg4pJ...

By: richeza

richeza — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:41:25 +0000

great! these pictures are moving, moving, moving…!!!

thank you for sharing them with the universe :-)

By: Daniel Chanisheff

Daniel Chanisheff — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:32:38 +0000

I was very excited when I read the title, being an Uighur myself. And to be very honest, I connected with the photos in a very personal way as I remember a lot of what you’ve shot. I showed my parents, and they too felt that this essay begins to show more to the Uighur situation beyond the riots, beyond the big crackdowns. It paints a picture as to the straws which slowly break the camel’s back.

I think that where a lot of essays of the Uighurs fall apart is they are solely trying to show Uighur culture. When looked at in isolation, that paints a very pretty picture. A joyous people that love to celebrate, that have a rich culture and history, their own language and ethnic identity.

But this begins to show how it’s being systematically eroded. How generation by generation Uighur’s lose their language, their religion, their culture. I’m so very glad you’ve posted this up, and would be so happy to see a book out with your stories to go along with it.

I actually plan to go there again with my trusty old Leica and photograph more of the real and everyday Xinjiang (or East Turkestan).

Keep up the work, very fond of it.

Daniel

By: ddegner

ddegner — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:17:01 +0000

The amazing thing is that I can now layout and self publish a book, the impetus is on me.

I’ll try to do that over the next few months for my friends. If you are interested email me and I’ll keep you updated.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:04:39 +0000

David,

A book perhaps in the making. It is good.

I viewed without reading the statement (as is normal for me) and didn’t have to read the statement to enjoy. This (to me) is a worthy achievement. Having read the statement, I can’t say that you’ve achieved your goal but I cannot judge as I do not know the context of what it is that you are trying to get across. However whether the socio-political intimations are achieved or not is not important from a pure photographic enjoyment point of view. And I enjoyed it photographically. Well done.

I love the photographic style you’ve employed here – black/whites/shadows/highlights/noir/grain or noise. This is something I like very much. In difference to others I find colour can create its own challenges in understanding – to my mind it can be very much different to do colour right.

Best of luck moving forward. I think expanded (rather than the tighter edit referred to), it would make a good book.

Cheers and Peace.

By: Danny Ghitis

Danny Ghitis — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:52:45 +0000

Thanks for taking us on this journey, David. I like the quiet approach to your images, and the way they tiptoe through the culture you experienced.

By: ddegner

ddegner — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:19:02 +0000

Thanks to everyone for looking, and the BURN people for giving this essay the stage.

As some of the commenters pointed out, this is definitely a loose edit of more composed images instead of the intimate images of my friends and I. Even after a year I am still playing around with which photos are the most important and tell the best story.

There are two images in the essay that were shot on a digital camera. But the vast majority were on my trusty Leica and old 35/1.4.

My next step will be to return to the Middle East, if anyone lives in Cairo we should meet up at Hooraiah’s I’ll buy you a beer at the Stella Bar.

By: Jamie Maxtone-Graham

Jamie Maxtone-Graham — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:48:43 +0000

An excellent piece of work to my eyes. To answer the question above about B&W film or digital – the caption for image 13 should help.
The lack of “overt brutality” – as someone put it – is sometimes the most brutal of all and in image after image we see the Uighers squeezed out of not only their own community but the images as well. A subtle and devastating essay.

By: Tweets that mention david degner – uighur identity in xinjiang | burn magazine -- Topsy.com

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:34:18 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mario Pires, David Hawkins-Weeks and David Alan Harvey, photo feeds. photo feeds said: david degner – uighur identity in xinjiang: This SlideShowPro photo gallery requires the… . http://goo.gl/fb/JfVl #photographicessays [...]

By: peter grant

peter grant — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:35:15 +0000

well done David..

I could only say I also agree with Charles and his suggestions.

Enjoy seeing these images in B/W. By the way, is that B/W film or is it digitally done? Just noticed Reimar asked the same question..

Hope your continuing project goes well.

By: tanguy

tanguy — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:00:55 +0000

sorry to say Dave, but there’s really nothing about the Uyghurs in here!!
I do like a few of your photos but they’re all about Han Chinese -and in Han populated cities!
Only 4, maybe 6 pics of Xinjiang’s Uyghurs, that’s it… Talk about Identity!

Maybe you should change the title, don’t you think?
T.

By: emcd

emcd — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:48:45 +0000

my mind’s selective edit of your work makes me think your eye’s language is uncannily rene burri-esque

is he someone whose work you admire?

By: Reimar

Reimar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:32:17 +0000

The essay starts in a very strong and good way, but it somehow looses the power a bit.
I very much agree with Charles comment. Very well said!!! A tighter edit, too many coaches etc.
Yet, no doubt, there are some really great shots and the story about the Uighur people is very important to tell. Probably not an easy task.
Personally I like the black and white images. Just recently I converted my digital colour images from Beijing into black and white and some of them look much better now. Sometimes it is simply too much blue sky, too much of yellow sand or pink letters and turquoise shirts. Maybe I am a bit sick and tired of all this colour overdose… No idea if the images in this essay were shot in B&W on film in the first place? I had my digital files converted into B&W with alienskin. I still love Tri X! Am I a sinner now?
While looking at the images it was very clear to me that someone from the west has taken the pictures. Shooting in China as a foreigner from a western country is not as easy as it seems. Connecting with people is not easy, even with a big effort we tend to stay strangers and without the language it is even more difficult to connect with the people. Personally I don’t always need this close inside look. I like to observe as well.
I hope there will be many opportunities to show this work! It certainly deserves to be looked at!
Well done and maximum respect!
Reimar

By: Steve M

Steve M — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:58:29 +0000

David, well done for being published here and for taking on this work in such an difficult environment. Like others here, I need a much tighter edit – and greater coherence between the narrative storyline and the pictures…. It sounds like your relationship with the authorities was crucial – now there’s a story…!

By: neven grujic

neven grujic — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:35:26 +0000

i agree with jim powers :,,i don’t get a sense of contact between the photographer and the people ,, but…
some of the photos are very good.
Congrats.

By: Jim Powers

Jim Powers — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:13:45 +0000

I don’t get a sense of contact between the photographer and the people. More the feel of travel photography to me. I guess I’m getting tired of a B&W world and would like to have seen this in color, to see what the place really looks like.

By: Frank Michael Hack

Frank Michael Hack — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:10:16 +0000

Brilliant work, a little long in the edit but overall fantastic. No need to say much more. Loved it and the story needed to be documented. No overt brutality but gives us a better understanding of these people and their culture.

Congrats.

Frank