A TALE OF TWO Ps

2019

These photographs of the ancient city of Pingyao, its residents as well as visitors were made during the 19th Pingyao International Photography Festival. Captured here are the spaces around the walled city and the activities that occupy them. Be it crumbling courtyard homes being restored, tourists photographing a reenactment or children studying photographic prints, there are things within the frame – places, objects, processes and experiences even, that have been deemed worthy of preservation.

In making this series of pictures, I am prompted to consider the underlying motivations for preserving the walled city of Pingyao and the use of photography to eternally still moments in time. After all, would not what is preserved merely be a physical likeness? Would these artefacts be enough of a legacy for future generations to glean from about the society, the land, its people and culture?