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Photography
A hotel room that has stories to tellPosted by Eric Mu on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 10:52 AM
 A hotel room that has stories to tell A gallery of photos are buzzing around blogs and forums on the Chinese Internet. Each photo in the series features a different set of characters that share the same setting, a shabby two-person hotel room. Blogger Ruan Yifeng reposted these photos on his blog with the comment, "I saw these photos in an Internet forum. Amazing. They are all very authentic and quite reflective of our abnormal society." But to see the photos as a realistic reflection or criticism of social morbidity is not the only angle to appreciate them; take a closer look, you may find these photos do resemble a mystery/detective movie. Like many interesting posts that circulate on the Internet in China, this gallery is unattributed. Shorn of context, the photos may even lead viewers to wonder whether the creator is trying to exploit the viral nature of Internet posts to promote a new movie (or book). Ruan points out similarities to a set of images featuring western models, also in a low-end motel room, but does not provide an artist's name for that set, either. Update: In the comments section, "jinghua" points us to Douban galleries of the photos and the SUPERCHINA shoot, which was done for the April issue of O'ZINE (O'ZINE符号). More photos below:  A bloody murder scene. Who did it?  (Flashback) Business was good for the Zheng'er guys  The hooker was not not happy with what she got; one of the Zheng'er guys took out a pair of scissors  Two teenagers are getting jiggy  Junkies are getting high  The junkies kidnapped the girl and demanded ransom? (The photo he is holding may give a clue)  A migrant worker found a photo. Are the two photos the same one?  As the Chinese saying goes: there may be an ear on the other side of the wall  A rave party in a hotel room?  A pornography film in the making  A game of mistress and slave Links and Sources
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Comments on A hotel room that has stories to tell
Aren't these paintings, not photographs? Or were these photographs that were run through a filter? Kidnapper would certainly not allow themselves to be photographed knowingly, so perhaps a hidden camera? But then again, how would the photographer have such good photos with such good lighting conditions?
Photos look interesting indeed, however they seem much too perfectly shot to make me think they are real. Obviously setup by someone, nice idea though.
One thin guy's face appears on some of these photos, acting different roles?
At the person above me: HAHAHA!
Are you serious? This is art, not actual photos of an actual crime scene.
Crikey.
This looks quite like the work of a photographer who was featured in a fantastic touring showcase exhibition of Chinese photographers a few years ago. The catalogue of the exhibition was published under the title "The Chinese," but I'd never be able to find the name of the photographer I'm thinking of! Anyway, very carefully composed, very painting-like! Hope nobody's out there thinking these are candid camera shots :)
Great work.
This we all do ,if you like you can find more in link, link
Is Danwei that threatened by China SMACK that it needs to show the whole series?
the girls are pretty...that's all
This page has 1.jpg through 12.jpg, where 8.jpg is missing. Does anybody know where to find it?
My fault, the eleven photos are all I have found and nothing is missing. I accidentally skipped the "8.jpg" when renaming them.
Here's the original series:
http://lyndonwade.com -> Portfolio -> Room 107
or
http://lyndonwade.com/#/portfolio/room-107/86 (this might not work)
Thanks, Guczo.
so it's a rip off shanzhai version of Lyndon Wade's photos!
真牛，这个超级中国大片真是棒呀,强烈推荐呀.
It's interesting how the photos are as meaningful in China as they were in the very American context of Lyndon's Wade's original series.
I took part in Lyndon Wade's Room 107. When we did this back in 2004 I never knew it would take off. Very cool to see that the Chinese have put their own spin on it. Really enjoyed these images. I was the kid throwing up in the after prom party picture...
the migrant workers crowding into one room is the only logical use of the space that I can see - everything else is incomprehensible