Silent River

Under the background of many difficulties brought by global warming,the water problem has been affected at the same time, and its own problems will also react to climate change。But on the“Mother River”of china,a development attitude that does not consider ecological consequences is being performed。Where will the future of the "Mother River" be driven by the several hydro-level development plans starting from the upstream,the mountain mining along the coast,and the downstream areas full of chemical industries?The photography project 《Silent River》 tries to put forward some contradictions that human beings may face while continuing the development of modern civilization from the contemporary perspective of culture,environment and ecology。

For five thousand years,the Yangtze River and the Yellow River as the "Mother River" of China,have been feeding the people of the land of China。From the early images of the Yangtze River by John Thomson,we can get a glimpse of the original state of the Mother River in the past。In the present,it's gone forever。Since the “Reform and Opening-Up”,both sides of the mother river have been over-developed,The problems such as floods and environmental pollution caused by the ecological destruction of the mother river basin in the past are now becoming ecological barriers:wetlands、 woodlands and lakes has been shrunk,some water systems began to dry up。China is currently undergoing rapid urbanization and development. Human survival and transformation are in infinite conflict with the fragile natural ecology。

The project《Silent River》 focuses the camera on the "Mother River"of china,The Yangtze River and the Yellow River represent different river basin civilizations and ancient myths。However,the once anointed land became deserted now。At present, there is no difference between the two rivers。Both sides of the river are full of traces of natural rivers being tamed by humans;becoming Narrowly riverbed and gradually shrinking,dry tributary river systems。Nowadays,they are showing motherhood and myth that are constantly being dismembered。 In the past,the two rivers were regarded as metaphors of life。Now, however, they are turned into a river full of contradictions between ancient Chinese civilization and modern civilization,a river that infinitely fulfills human's desires,a river that is sometimes bright and sometimes hidden,a silent river,a dying river。

This ongoing project was completed in cooperation with artist Moying Zhang。

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - Image from the Silent River photography project
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Monument of Fighting Against Flood in 1998(Because of the engineering quality problem of the Yangtze River dam,the dam broke during the flood period.The population affected by the disaster exceeds 223 million,more than 3004 people died).

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The ships stranded by the river.
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The ships stranded by the river.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The energy facilities under the bridge.
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The energy facilities under the bridge.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - A dry wharf.
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A dry wharf.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The loading and unloading track in the river.
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The loading and unloading track in the river.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The embankment under construction.
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The embankment under construction.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - A road covered with large truck tires.
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A road covered with large truck tires.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The automatic wheel belt for conveying sand and gravel by the river.
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The automatic wheel belt for conveying sand and gravel by the river.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - A river full of chemical plants.
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A river full of chemical plants.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The bare mountain.
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The bare mountain.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The broken bridge in front of the dam.
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The broken bridge in front of the dam.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The embankment under sand mining.
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The embankment under sand mining.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The stranded ships.
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The stranded ships.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The reservoir dam.
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The reservoir dam.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The villages demolished during the construction of the reservoir dam.
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The villages demolished during the construction of the reservoir dam.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The abandoned building aside the river.
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The abandoned building aside the river.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The abandoned county seat aside the river.
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The abandoned county seat aside the river.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The narrow riverbed.
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The narrow riverbed.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The energy pipeline under construction aside the river.
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The energy pipeline under construction aside the river.

© Yexin Qiu & Moying Zhang - The bare mountain.
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The bare mountain.

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