He traveled to 19 countries, documenting the rare ＂paste map＂ in the dust

Recently, a photography exhibition called "Rare Paste Pictures" was held at None Project Gallery in Shanghai’s M50 Creative Park.

Photographer Tong WenxuGraduated from the Department of Biochemistry of Fudan University, after studying in the United States, he studied biochemistry, bioinformatics, computer science, and artificial intelligence. This "technical man" who loves photography has traveled all over the world for more than 20 years.

In 2023, he visited 19 countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, and other places, and recorded a long journey with his camera, using his hands, eyes, and heart to create a unique scene.

Photo No. 16, taken in Oman

Why did you name your personal photography exhibition "Rare paste map"? Tong Wenxu said that because there are few foreigners entering some countries,There is no tourism in the general sense,Due to the limitations on the use of cameras, his mobile phone became his main shooting tool, and he often took photos in moving cars, rapidly changing streets, and other environments, so some photos were not ideal in terms of resolution, focus, and exposure."It’s rare for the audience to come from afar and see a bunch of’paste pictures’…"

These "paste images" tell the photographer’s understanding of beauty and his perception of the world.The curator of this exhibition, Hu Jianjun, an associate professor at Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University, believes that images are not just simple records. Excellent photographers perceive heaven and earth and all things with their own perspectives and understanding of beauty, which requires a lot of movement and knowledge reserves, intuition and understanding.At the moment of pressing the shutter, thousands of clouds and subtle emotions and thoughts were frozen.

"I am a person who likes to take photos, but I don’t dare to consider myself a photographer. Photos are like a travel diary for me, recording what I see along the way. When I am old and can’t walk anymore, I can sit in a rocking chair and slowly look through it and reminisce about the past," Tong Wenxu said. "The most satisfying photos and touching moments of the itinerary,Most of them happened on the dusty road,And not in those famous scenic spots."

Photo No. 9 was taken in the ancient city of Merv, Turkmenistan. Behind Tong Wenxu is the magnificent ruins of the ancient city, but what attracts his attention is a donkey walking alone on the road, which makes him feel the stagnation of time strongly.

Photo No. 16 was taken on the road to the outskirts of Salala, Amman. A camel stands on the side of an empty road, seemingly about to cross the road. Tong Wenxu uses the lens to show the juxtaposition of modernity and tradition, humans and animals, speed and leisurely, rules and instincts.

Photo No. 9, taken in Turkmenistan

Photo No. 10 was prompted by a joke. "When I was on a chartered trip in Turkmenistan, I would occasionally ask the driver to stop on the side of the road and let me go down to take pictures," Tong Wenxu told reporters. "He asked me why I was taking these empty and unremarkable scenes. There are so many things in the scenic spots, is it not good to go there to take pictures? I told him that even the road can be very beautiful, especially the detours in the sun, and the wonderful thing is that the blackest asphalt road can also be the whitest in the camera, so this photo was created. After I showed it to him, he took the initiative to ask me if I wanted to stop and take pictures every time I detoured."

During the journey, people are the scenery that Tong Wenxu is most interested in. Compared with adults, children are often relaxed in front of the camera, with exaggerated expressions and the purest eyes. No matter how difficult the situation isThe children are still curious about life and draw joy from it. "They are the object of my envy and the role model to learn from, and the motivation for me to walk around and take pictures."

Photo No. 31, taken in Pakistan

Tong Wenxu said that his preference for photography is always the truth first, and he does not like posing, but accepts post-processing. He does not place too much emphasis on the best choice of equipment and technical parameters, but likes to explore and express the symbolic meaning in photos and scenes as much as possible. Juxtaposition, metaphor, exaggeration and contrast are often his favorite interests.

"All over the worldTong WenxuThe persistent pursuit of photography, the in-depth excavation of scenes and stories, and the innate keenness and beauty make his works highly infectious.leadThe viewer falls into sympathy and reflection, paying attention to those natural things and individual fates that are easily overlooked in the vast history and broken world.These images, traveling through the diverse and noisy world, point to peace and light."Hu Jianjun said.