Spark Zine Vol. 6〜10
Spark Zine Vol. 6〜10
HAO Shiming, Hangsheng, YAN Jiacheng, YILIN Shi, LE Ziyi
Publisher: Imageless, Bananafish Books
Set of five zines
This set features issues 6–10 of the Shanghai-based photography zine “Spark.” Each issue is dedicated to the work of a single artist. With minimal use of text, a basic layout and high quality prints, the magazine offers its contributing artists the space to speak entirely through their images.
With most of the featured photographers being young and based in China, “Spark Zine” aims to provide a platform for upcoming, talented photographers to showcase their work and perspective.
Volume 6 – “Garden Infinity” by Hao Shiming, 48 pages
“Garden is actually a concept about time. I only want to search for a sense from immortal to infinity.”
― Hao Shiming
Volume 7 – “Earth Traveller” by Hangsheng, 42 pages
“I am a traveller of the earth and constantly recording every aspect of my life by taking photographs, from grand landscapes like urban buildings, the sun, the moon and the mountains to the smallest fragments such as crystal dew and the moment a butterfly lifting its wings. Whichever scene I come across means a mini trip. The name ‘Earth Traveller’ came from a whim in my college days. As almost all of these photos were took by phone, the unique picture quality and its convenience attract me. It allows me to shoot anywhere, anytime. I was able to capture many images that could be too late for a camera to capture. Earth Traveller consists of such images. Hope you will enjoy it on paper media.”
― Hangsheng
Volume 8 – “Advertising light box & Under the street lights” by Yan Jiacheng, 48 pages
“Blank Advertising Light Box Illuminates Pedestrians in the Night was taken at the busstationdownstairs my apartment. When there are no posters inside, it looks like a large light box that sheds light on passers-by. I stood there taking pictures for many people who come and go with various looks. Under the Street Light was taken by the river near my new home after I moved to suburban area. The new community has no public space yet, so people just walk, sing, play and set off fireworks along the same river. The street lights are very high and bright, making the pavement look like a stage.”
― Yan Jiacheng
Volume 9 – “Particles” by Yilin Shi, 44 pages
“When the lockdown began it was still cold and the road downstairs was still bare and greyish-yellow. With sunny days and rains taking turns, with the whole spring fading in silence, I witnessed the sycamores outside my window growing from bud to bloom and the direct daylight deflecting at a specific angle each day in strict accordance with the routines of the earth’s rotation. The animals and plants that had nothing to do with this human business got a blessing in disguise, enjoying two months of freedom.Our finite life is but a particle carried by inertia in a grand curve of values, floating and sinking. Real examples which fit in the metaphor of a grain of ash and a mountain have abounded those two months. Slogans cannot instantly erase the trauma of this twomonth lockdown; the pain will remain in the collective memory for a long time and will be passed on from generation to generation. But it is still important to live in the concrete present and to feel concrete feelings for concrete people. To breathe, to walk, to date, to hug, to kiss, to enjoy the sunshine, to listen to the leaves, to talk face to face, to look directly into the eyes of those around me. The whole environment is not something I can change on my own, but the best resistance will be me keeping my physical and mental health.”
― Yilin Shi
Volume 10 – “New Comer” by Le Ziyi, 36 pages
“I spent little time with my parents throughout my whole childhood, less communication, long being alienated,thereby giving rise to a sense of staying in middle of nowhere. Every time when confronted with the built-in family issue, I would intend to run away instinctively. In March 2020, I moved to Hangzhou to get rid of the anxieties as well as for career. There, I got well paid and gained inner peace eventually, but later the routine of job bored me beyond bearing. Out of the basic instinct as a photographer, I decided to explore the similar void of mind state among young people like me scattered in different cities, to see their faces as well as check over my deep self-doubt. Therefore, I post my personal photo project “New Comer” in Weibo and received more than 40 applicants. Before shooting, I predicted their inner drives to different cities: career, money, emotion issue, or just escaping from the family. In the process of shooting and communicating with them, I found my predictions well fit, but the point is that even I shared a lot with most of them, I was still touched by every each individual, his or her willingness to thrive, trying to gain redemption in ways of positive, or negative.”
― Le Ziyi
- Book Size
- 233 × 174 mm
- Binding
- Softcover
- Publication Year
- 2023
- Limited Edition
- 300