Thematic Exhibition

 Foreword

Every city has its unique beat and melody.

Together, they become a magnificent, much-anticipated symphony.

    At the 7th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition, the Thematic Exhibition showcases the beauty of photography art by integrating the beat of the times and the dynamic of the city, making your heart skip a beat.

This year’s Thematic Exhibition, themed by “City·Beat”, collects documentary and artistic works from all over the world. A total of nearly 30,000 works were received from 34 provinces across China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) and 48 countries from 6 continents around the world. After expert review and public announcement of the pre-selected works, a total of 117 works (59 documentary works and 58 artistic works) by photographers from 18 countries were chosen for the exhibition.

Among the selected documentary works, photographers use lenses to capture the beautiful rising sun at dawn, the charm of Shenzhen Bay with flying cormorants, the mirage-like city surrounded by a double rainbow, the cross-city river that never stops flowing, a big wedding on a slab stone-paved pathway, the first family photo with a newborn baby, the whole audience dancing with the music... we can feel the beat and charm of the city in every photo.

Among the selected artistic works, the crisscrossing modern overpasses are like butterflies spreading their wings, resembling the smooth beat of the city; individual spaces with optical illusions show the mysterious features of the city; “No. 3” by an Iranian photographer integrates minimalism, surrealism and street photography; in “Dance of the Elf” by a Canadian photographer, the strong wind blows away the dense clouds over the building, as if opening a skylight for people chasing the light; “Soul Mate” by a Hungarian photographer depicts the profound relationship between humans and animals. Souls click every time the shutter is pressed.

Every city has its unique charm. Similarly, every photographer has his/her unique style and sense of vision. Through exquisite composition and the use of light, Chinese and foreign photographers capture the integration and interaction between people, nature and the city for a personalized photo, making their works stand out among numerous submissions. Through their lens, the beat of the city can sometimes be exciting and fast, like strong drumbeats, showing a sense of urgency and indicating the busy lives and pursuits of people living in modern cities; while at other times, the beats can be elegant and soothing, like soft music that brings tranquility and peace to people. Some photographers attach importance to authenticity and facts to capture “decisive moments”; some focus on formal beauty and abstract expression. Fast-paced or slow-paced, fact-oriented or art-oriented, there is a touching story behind every photo, showcasing the diversity and ever-changing characteristics, as well as the vitality and creativity of the city. This is the way how photographers love and shape the city.

The beat of the city never stops. Let us enjoy the feast of light and shadow along with the beat, and travel through various moments in different cities to see more, understand more, and be wowed and inspired by photography art.

Organizing Committee of Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition

April 2024