[GOLDEN TIMES]
There are some games that impose rules, method and discipline, while others seek just the opposite: freedom, carefreeness, enjoyment, loss of control and delirium. The term ilinx, the Greek for a whirlpool, can be used to describe these last two, and of all human activities, dancing is probably the one that captures this spirit best.
Golden Times takes its name from a vacant plot of land called Golden Beach next to Chengdu airport where, as evening falls, thousands of people gather for impromptu raves. The uniqueness of these spontaneous events, organized through social media platforms, is that the majority of the people there are not young but older people who, for two or three hours and several times a week, meet to dance non-stop. “Later the event moved to another location, but for a while, I was lucky enough to share these moments of wild dancing,” says Feng Li, author of the series.
***
Born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China in 1971, Feng Li 冯立 lives and works in Chengdu. He graduated from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute with a major in Decorative Arts. Feng started making photographs as a civil servant in China’s provincial Department of Communication. In 2005 he started working as a freelance artist. Since then he has gained recognition for his bold compositions, vibrant colours and a keen eye for the absurdities of modern life. His work has been exhibited at numerous festivals and exhibitions including Galerie f16 in Paris, Buchkunst in Berlin, BredaPhoto Festival, A4 Museum in Chengdu, Les Rencontres d’Arles, Jimei x Arles Photography Festival in Xiamen, Zongmu Biennale in Chengdu, China Biennale in Anren, among others. Feng Li has been internationally recognized including receiving the Jimei x Arles Discovery Award in 2017, Best Photographer Prize at the Jinan International Photo Biennale in 2012 and Grand Jury Prize at the Lianzhou Photo Festival in 2012. His works Good Night (2022) and White Night (2017) are published by Jiazazhi and Ocean Flame (2022) by Lonely Library.
