I See the World through the Lens of My Camera
Norman A. Spencer
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Li Xianting Film Fund (Li Xianting's former house ) , Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2018
Statue of Yu Luoke (victim of Cultural Revolution), Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2018
Li Xianting, public intellectual, art critic, director Li Xianting Film Fund, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2015
Li Xianting, public intellectual, art critic, director Li Xianting Film Fund, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2015
Zhu Rikun, documentary film director, founder Fanhall Center of the Arts, curator DOChina and Beijing Independent Film Festival, NYC, 2008
Yue Minjun, artist, singing the blues, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing 2015
Poster for the 9th Beijing Independent Film Festival, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2012
Poster for the 6th China Documentary Film Festival, Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing, 2009
Yang Haijun (Yang Zi) - curator for the first Unrestricted New Image Festival, Beijing Film Academy, 2001
Poster for the first Unrestricted New Image Festival, Beijing Film Academy, 2001
Tee shirt image for the First Unrestricted New Image Festival, Beijing Film Academy, 2001
Ying Weiwei, director, The Box (2001), first Chinese documentary about a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2001
Caochangdi Work Station, designed by artist Ai Weiwei, studio for Wen Hui’s Living Dance Studio and Wu Wenguang’s collaborative documentary film projects. Beijing, 2007
Caochangdi Work Station, designed by artist Ai Weiwei, studio for Wen Hui’s Living Dance Studio and Wu Wenguang’s collaborative documentary film projects. Beijing, 2007
Caochangdi Work Station, designed by artist Ai Weiwei, studio for Wen Hui’s Living Dance Studio and Wu Wenguang’s collaborative documentary film projects. Beijing, 2007
French poster for Living Dance Studio with image of lead dancer Wang Ya'nan. Beijing, 2010
Wu Wenguang, director Bumming in Beijing: The Last Dreamers (1990) and Jiang Hu: On the Road (1999) in apartment. Beijing, 2001
Wu Wenguang, director Bumming in Beijing: The Last Dreamers (1990) and Jiang Hu: On the Road (1999) in restaurant. Beijing, 2001
Wen Hui, choreographer for Dance with Farm Workers (2001), at art exhibition, Beijing, 2001
Wen Hui, director Dance with Third Grandmother (2015) at NYU, New York City, 2018
Wu Wenguang, organizer and curator, Folk Memory Project (2010- present), NYU, NYC, 2011
Living Dance Studio rehearsal, Tian Bei and Wang Yanan, Chao Chang Di Work Station, Beijing, 2005.
Rehearsal, Wen Hui with Living Dance Studio, Beijing, 2001.
Signed film poster for Xiao Shan Going Home given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, Beijing, 2001
Jia Zhangke's hometown, Feyang, Shanxi Province, 2002
Poster for book My Camera Doesn't Lie (2002), handed out at reception at Beijing University, 2002
Jia Zhangke, director Xiao Wu (1997) and Platform (2000) in studio, Beijing, 2001
Jia Zhangke, director Xiao Wu (1997) and Platform (2000) in studio, Beijing, 2001
Jia Zhangke filming 24 City (2008), Chengdu, 2007
Jia Zhangke filming 24 City (2008), Chengdu, 2007
Jia Zhangke filming 24 City (2008), Chengdu, 2007
Zhao Tao, leading actress in Jia Zhangke’s films, in coffee shop, Shanghai, 2007
Zhao Tao, leading actress in Jia Zhangke’s films, in coffee shop, Shanghai, 2007
Signed film poster for Platform given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, Beijing, 2001
Jia Zhangke and Zhao Tao at Asia Society during The Jia Zhangke Retrospective at MoMA, NYC, 2010.
Jia Zhangke at Columbia University, NYC. 2007.
Sinned film poster for Platform given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, Beijing ,2002
Signed film poster for Still Life given to Norman by Jia Zhangke, NYC, 2009
Hai Bo, poet, sitting in front of signed film poster for Xiao Wu, Dali, 2010
Wang Xiaoshuai, director So Close to Paradise (1998) in Wang Bar, Beijing, 2002
Zhang Ming, director Rainclounds over Wushan (1995), in apartment on campus of Beijing Film Academy, Beijing, 1999
Ning Ying, director Beijing Trilogy (1992, 1995, 2001) at friend’s apartment, Beijing, 2000
Jiang Wen, director Devils on the Doorstep (2000) at Columbia University, NYC, 2012
Yu Hua is is an internationally acclaimed avant-garde novelist and short story writer who has been a major influence on Chinese contemporary culture. He is one of the subjects of Jia Zhangke’s documentary film Swimming Till the Sea Turns Blue (2020), Beijing, 2009.
Li Yang, director Blind Shaft (2003) with Peng Xiaojian, Norman’s wife, at Columbia University, NYC, 2007
Lou Ye, director Suzhou River and Summer Palace, MoMA, NYC, 2003.
Zhou Xun is the actress for Lou Ye’s famous independent film Suzhou River. Photograph was taken on the set for one of Li Shaohong’s films, Beijing, 2002.
Zhou Xun is the actress for Lou Ye’s famous independent film Suzhou River. Photograph was taken on the set for one of Li Shaohong’s films, Beijing, 2002.
Zhou Xun is the actress for Lou Ye’s famous independent film Suzhou River. Photograph was taken on the set for one of Li Shaohong’s films, Beijing, 2002.
Li Shaohong is an important female member of the 5th Generation of Chinese film directors. Her films Bloody Monday (1990) and Blush (1994) won many international awards. Photograph was taken while sooting one of her films, Beijing, 2002.
Wang Chao, director Luxury Car (2006), NYC, 2007
Pema Tseden, Tibetan director Old Dog (2011), Tharlo (2015) and Jinpa (2018), NYC, 2014
Pema Tseden, Tibetan director Old Dog (2011), Tharlo (2015) and Jinpa (2018), NYC, 2014
Pema Tseden, Tibetan Chinese director with Kevin Lee, a vice president for dGenerate Films and Sally Berger, film curator, MoMA, NYC, 2014
Zhang Yang, director Quitting (2001) Paths of the Soul (2015), Dali, 2015
Fang Ke, important Chinese rock musician, performing at art exhibition, NYC, 2004.
Chinese rock musician with Chinese singer girlfriend, Beijing, 2000.
Group photograph for 1st Chinese Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Beijing University, 2001
Xiao Yu, reporter for China Weekly, Beijing University, 2001
Shi Tou, artist and filmmaker, director Dyke March (2004), Beijing University, 2001
Liu Bingjian, director, LGBT film, Men and Women (1999) Beijing University, 2001
Cui Zi'en, writer, screenwriter, Men and Women (1999), director Enter the Clowns (2002), Queer Cinema “ Comrade” China (2009) , Beijing University, 2001
Shi Tou and friends, reception for 1st Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Beijing University, 2001
Shi Tou and friend, reception for 1st Chinese Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2001
Cui Zi'en and friends, reception for 1st Chinese Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2001
Li Yu, director Fish and Elephant (2001) first Chinese feature film to depict a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2002
Li Yu, director Fish and Elephant (2001) first Chinese feature film to depict a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2002
Li Yu, director Fish and Elephant (2001) first Chinese feature film to depict a lesbian relationship, Beijing, 2002
University students at reception for 1st Chinese Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Beijing University, 2001
Poster for Shanghai Panic (2002)
Andrew Y.S. Cheng, director Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
Mian Mian, writer who played herself in Shanghai Panic (2002) based on one of her short stories, Shanghai, 2002
Caspar & girlfriend who played themselves in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
Caspar & girlfriend who played themselves in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
Caspar's girlfriend who played herself in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
Coco, jazz singer who played himself in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
Coco, jazz singer who played himself in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
Coco, jazz singer who played himself in Shanghai Panic (2002), Shanghai, 2002
Ai Weiwei, artist, director Disturbing the Peace (2009), Human Flow (2017), Coronation (2020), NYC, 2006
Wang Fen, director They Are Not the Only Unhappy Couple (2000), Beijing, 2001
Wang Fen, director They Are Not the Only Unhappy Couple (2000), Beijing, 2001
Yang Lina, director Lao Tou (1999), Home Video (2001), Longing for the Rain (2013), Beijing, 2001
Yang Lina, director Lao Tou (1999), Home Video (2001), Longing for the Rain (2013), Beijing, 2001
Poster for Yang Lina's film Lao Tou / Old Men (1999)
Yang Lina, director Lao Tou (1999), Home Video (2001), Longing for the Rain (2013), NYC, 2012
Yang Lina in front of Norman and Xioajian house in Brooklyn, NY where she was living during an Asia Council fellowship in 2013
Yang Lina in front of Norman and Xioajian house in Brooklyn, NY where she was living during an Asia Council fellowship in 2013
Du Haibin, director Along the Railway (2003), 1428 (2009), NYU 2010
Du Haibin's wife, NYC, 2012
Xu Xing, writer, director A Chronicle of My Cultural Revolution (2005-2007), Beijing, 2002
Jian Yi, director, with wife outside Norman’s house, Brooklyn, N.Y. 2009. Jian Yi was the co-organizer with Wu Wenguang for China Village Documentary Project
Wang Bing, director, West of the Tracks (2003), The Ditch (2010), Bitter Money (2016)，Asia Society, NYC, 2018
Xu Xin, director Karamay (2010), MoMA, NYC 2011
Zhao Dayang, director Ghost Town (2008), Shadow Days (2014) with Peng Xiaojian, Norman’s wife, NYC, 2018
Xu Xin, documentary film director, and Zhu Rikun, curator for independent films, in wine bar in NYC, 2011
Xu Xin, documentary film director, with Karin Chien, director dGenerate Films in wine bar in NYC, 2011.
Xu Xin, documentary film director, with American documentary film dirctor in wine bar in NYC, 2011.
Wang Bo, upcoming documentary film director, Asia Society, NYC, 2018
Yang Rui, director, Crossing the Mountain (2009), NYU, NYC, 2006
Ying Liang, director Taking Father Home (2005), The Other Half (2006), Lincoln Center, NYC, 2009
Yang Jin, director Er Dong (2008), Lincoln Center, NYC, 2009
Yang Jin, Ying Liang and Zhang Lu at Columbia University, NYC 2009
Yang Li, Ying Liang and Zhang Lu at Columbia University, NYC 2009
Zhang Lü, Korean Chinese director, Grain in the Ear (2005), Desert Dream (2007) Dooman River (2011)
Li Xiaofeng, director Wu Ding River (2007), My Last Secret (2008), Brooklyn, N.Y. 2012
Zhang Mengqi, documentary film director in NYC, 2013
Huang Weikai, director Floating (2004), Disorder (2009), NYU, NYC, 2010
Liu Xiaojin is one of the first women documentary film directors . She has made independent ethnographic films and films for television stations in Kunming. One of her early films, In Search of Cobra (1999), documents the lives of women artists in Beijing. Photograph was taken in Kunming, 2011.
Niu Niu , daughter of Liu Xiaojian studied fashion design in Paris, France. Photograph was taken in Kunming, 2011.
Tea in Liu Xiaojin’s artist cafe: Ye Yongqing, artist, Fu Liya, artist, Niu Niu, Xiaojian, Liu Xiaojin and Mao Xuhui, Kunming, 2011.
Group photograph at Norman’s house: Liu Xiaojin and Xiaojian with ethnic minority singers and dancers from Yuansheng Studio, Brooklyn, 2009.
Group phograph at Mao Xuhui’s studio: Tang Ying, writer, Mao Xuhui, artist (Liu Xiaojin’s husband), Niu Niu (Liu Xiaojin’s daughter), Liu Xiaojin, documentary film director, Zhang Xian, theatre director, and Peng Xiaojian (Norman’s wife), Kunming, 2007.
Wu Wenguang, organizer and curator Folk Memory Project (2010- present) and documentary film director Zhang Mengqi in Chaochangdi Work Station, Beijing, 2001
Zhao Yangying is a documentary film director who worked for Beijing TV Station. Photograph was taken in her apartment while discussing an independent film project on Xing Xing artists and Jintian writers organized by Norman Spencer, Beijing, 2001.
Zhou Duo is an important intellectual who taught at Beijing University. His wife is the documentary film director Zhao Yangying. Photograph was taken in his apartment while discussing an independent film project on Xing Xing artists and Jintian writers organized by Norman Spencer, Beijing, 2001.
Gu Xuer is an importan poet who also makes independent ethnographic films. Photograph was taken in her husband’s house in Li Jiang, 2013.
Wen Pulin, important Chinese artist and documentary film director at his birthday party outside of Beijing near the Great Wall,
Wen Pulin, important Chinese artist and documentary film director, with Zang Honghua at his birthday party outside of Beijing near the Great Wall,
2011.
Yan Li, poet, artist with Liu Sola, composer, singer, writer, in Sola’s apartment, NYC, 2000
Yan Li, poet, artist with Liu Sola, composer, singer, writer, in Sola’s apartment, NYC, 2000
Yan Li, poet, artist with Liu Sola, composer, singer, writer, in Sola’s apartment, NYC, 2000
Yue Minjun, artist, Huo Feng, singer, and Tao Hong, actress in Yue Minjun’s house, Dali, 2015
Bei Dao internationally acclaimed poet and editor of Jintian / Today whose writing inspired his generation and the student activist generation of the 1980s, NYC, 2000.
Zhang Yang, film director, Yu Er (Yue Minjun’s wife) and Cao Weiyu in Yue Minjun’s house, Dali, 2015
Xiao Lu feminist artist whose radical work Dialogue (1989) inspired writers, artists and film directors to depict social reality in their work, Beijing, 2006.
Ma Jian,
award winning writer who has been living in England for many years. His social critique resembles the implied criticism in many Chinese independent films, NYC, 2019.
Gao Xingjian, Chinese writer who lives in France. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012. He was an influential avant-garde playwright in Beijing during the early 1980’s. Photograph was taken in his Paris apartment, 2008.
Gao Xingjian, Chinese writer who lives in France. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012. He was an influential avant-gard playwright in Beijing during the early 1980’s. Photograph was taken in his Paris apartment, 2008.
Mo Yan, novelist and short story writer was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012. He is associated with the “high culture fever" of the 1980s. Zhang Yimou’s important film Red Sorghum (1987) was based on his novel NYC, 2014.
Mang Ke, poet, and family in Yue Minjun’s house, Dali, 2017
Xiaojian in Zheng Lianjie's studio, NYC, 2005. Xiaojian, Norman’s wife, with Zheng Lianjie. Lianjie is a well-known performance artist and ink painter
Poster for 3rd REEL CHINA Documentary Biennial Festival, 2006
Organizer & Curator : Zhang Pingjie, REC Foundation，Poster Designer: Zheng Lianjie
Poster for REEL CHINA Documentary Biennial Festival, 2008.
Organizer & Curator : Zhang Pingjie, REC Foundation, Poster Designer: Xu Bing
Xu Bing with Zhang Huan, NYC, 2000
Two actresses at a publicity event organized by Zhou Zhubing, Wang Xiaoshui’s close friend, Beijing, 2014.