Yesterday’s China , 1985
Unknown

Yan Lei's (阎雷) photographic, Yesterday’s China (昨天的中国), presents daily life, economic take-off and social changes in China during the period of transition from 1985 to 2000, and uses the lens to create a vivid and vibrant portrait of the whole China. Before the reform and opening up, the traditional concept of marriage and family occupied a dominant position in Chinese society. Traditional marriage methods such as blind date and arranged marriage are relatively common, and individuals have relatively little free choice. Economic conditions and family relations are the main factors in marriage. People's views on marriage and love have changed since the reform and opening up, and there is now more respect and focus placed on individual values and lifestyles. Individual sentiments and wishes can now grow more freely, and individual emotional experience and happiness are given greater attention. Love is no longer restricted to family arrangements. The picture shows a dating couple captured by the author with his camera. Their love is simple and pure, they are interdependent, and they walk hand in hand. Even though people's lives were not as wealthy or as advanced at the time, and society as a whole moved more slowly, people nonetheless enjoyed their lives.

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