Lund, Sweden – January 26, 2020
Dear friend
Happy new year, long time no hear.
But I only write to you when I have something to tell. And today I am very proud to tell you that my portfolio from China 1983 has finally been published.
You’ll find many photos in the portfolio and a lot of background. It offers a unique peep into a China that no longer exists.
Today’s China has done what nobody else has, namely lifted 600 million people out of poverty in about 30 years and become a unique, well-functioning welfare state where, in 2-3 years, there will simply be no more poor people.
Technically, a lot of work has gone into these works because, back then, they were shot with a simple DSLR camera and Kodachrome slide film; slides were what you used to be able to share. And Kodachrome is about the most difficult of all to convert to today’s digital format.
I have made no attempt to make them look like today’s photography. Thus, the special colour tone and scratches. To me, technical perfection is uninteresting compared with the story, the sentiments, the people and what they tell about China in those days.
I dedicate this portfolio to my dear friend and mentor, Viggo Rivad (1922-2016).
A selection of these works can be found in Oberg PhotoGraphics’ shop. It’s easy and safe to order online.
You should contact me if you are interested in an image in the portfolio that you do not find in the shop: janoberg@mac.com or phone me at +46 (0)738 525200 – and we shall find a solution.
A few of these new “old” works also sit in the SPAR – Silk Peace Art Road – Installation that was shown last year at the Venice Biennale and will travel, be shown and used as a backdrop for inter-cultural dialogues along the new Silk Roads – the Belt And Road Initiative countries which is the world’s largest co-operative project involving 80+ countries – in years to come.
My best
Jan Oberg