Rare photos of China's Cultural Revolution model operas
Hidden for decades, rare photos by Zhang Yaxin of China's revolutionary model operas have been brought into the light again in recent years, focusing attention one of the legacies of Chairman Mao Zedong's Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, 50 years after it began.
At the start of the Cultural Revolution, Mao banned the so-called "bourgeois" traditional Peking operas, along with all forms of Western art. In their place, Madame Mao, Jiang Qing, created the new model operas to tell the stories of revolutionary struggles and communist ideals. Zhang, who was working for the state-controlled Xinhua News Agency, was her handpicked photographer for the operas.
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment" 1971
The story: Photographer Zhang Yaxin and Madame Mao's model operas
"The Red Attachment of Women"
At the start of the Cultural Revolution, Mao banned the so-called "bourgeois" traditional Peking operas, along with all forms of Western art. In their place, Madame Mao, Jiang Qing, created the new model operas to tell the stories of revolutionary struggles and communist ideals. Emperors and kings of the traditional operas were replaced by heroic images of brave peasants, workers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army. The heroes battled foreign invaders, evil landlords and enemies of the revolution.
"The Red Attachment of Women" 1973
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment"
The operas were the only officially permitted literary forms during the years of the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, when Mao died.
Zhang was meant to destroy all the unapproved negatives, but hid them away in a closet for decades. It wasn't until See+ Gallery owner Qu Shiwen heard about the photographer and arranged to meet with him, that he revealed the existence of the hundreds of negatives in nine big boxes in 2006.
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment 1971"
The model operas were on radio, in theaters and made into movies. The performances were required to be identical. Scores and production guides were distributed throughout the country to ensure conformity.
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy"
The model operas were on radio, in theaters and made into movies. The performances were required to be identical. Scores and production guides were distributed throughout the country to ensure conformity.
Zhang was meant to destroy all the unapproved negatives, but hid them away in a closet for decades. It wasn't until See+ Gallery owner Qu Shiwen heard about the photographer and arranged to meet with him, that he revealed the existence of the hundreds of negatives in nine big boxes in 2006.
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" 1969
"The Legend of the Red Lantern"
This is one of only two images in existence from the "The Legend of the Red Lantern." This particular opera was one that was a rework of a traditional Peking opera.
"The Legend of the Red Lantern" 1972
"Red Detachment of Women"
Zhang was given one of three Hassleblad cameras imported by Madame Mao and unlimited access to color Kodak film for the top secret project. Zhang was one of the first photographers in China to shoot color. He spent the next seven years documenting this unique artistic enterprise.
"Red Detachment of Women" 1973
"Sha Jla Bang"
"Sha Jla Bang" was at first a opera and then Madame Mao reworked it into a symphony. It accounts for two of the "original' model works, known as yangbanxi.
"Sha Jla Bang" 1971
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy"
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" 1969
"Azalea Mountain"
The approved movie stills reproduced key scenes.
"Azalea Mountain" 1974
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy"
Chairman Mao's wife was a perfectionist and the model operas were her pet project. When she was not satisfied with the results of the film productions she scrapped all the work and had the crew watch banned American movies to capture the same level of emotion and aesthetics.
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" 1969
"Raid on the White-Tiger Regiment"
The approved movie stills reproduced key scenes.
"Raid on the White-Tiger Regiment" 1971
"Azalea Mountain" 1974
Yang Chun Zia performed in "Azalea Mountain," which was not one of the original eight operas. Yang, as the woman with the gun and sickle, was considered one of the most beautiful women of the time.
"Azalea Mountain" 1974
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy"
Because of the pervasive use of the official images at the time in posters, stamps, calendars, plates among other items, the visual imagery with their distinct aesthetic are well known in China and around the world.
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" 1969
"Ode of the Dragon River"
It was not till See+ Gallery owner Qu Shiwen, a former journalist, met Zhang Yaxin in 2006 that he revealed the existence of the hidden boxes of negatives. He had held onto hundreds of negatives in nine big boxes. All of which Qu went through to curate the images for print sales and his first solo exhibition in 2008. The exhibition was the first recognition that Zhang, now 85, received ever received for his work.
"Ode of the Dragon River" 1972
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment"
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment" 1971
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment"
The glorious hero was an essential part of the operas.
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment" 1971
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy"
The were also the requisite villains to be triumphed over.
"Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" 1969
"Taking Tiger Mountain"
Because the operas were the only form of entertainment and were so pervasive they are ingrained in the memories of an entire generation. Despite the horrors of the era of the Cultural Revolution, the operas still have a place in the cultural life of the country because of nostalgia.
"Taking Tiger Mountain" 1969
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment"
"Raid on the White Tiger Regiment" 1971
"Ode of the Dragon River"
"Ode of the Dragon River" was not one of the original and most popular of the operas. In total 18 model operas were produced, but it was the original eight that were performed extensively and are the most well-known.
"Ode of the Dragon River" 1972
"The Red Detachment of Women"
"The Red Detachment of Women" 1973
"Azalea Mountain"
"Azalea Mountain" 1974
"The White Haired Girl"
"The White Haired Girl"
"Ode of the Dragon River"
"Ode of the Dragon River" 1972
The story: Photographer Zhang Yaxin and Madame Mao's model operas