Site 17, September 26-30, Yanan, Shanxi Province

Yanan

Cave Dwellings of Yanan

Mao's Cave Dwelling in Yanan

Display at the Museum of Nanniwan
- A DIY and democratic society

Display at the Museum of Nanniwan
- A DIY and democratic society

Wang Jianwei, "China," Video

Gen Jianyi, "China," Performance

Deng Aiguo, Proposal, "This Family," Performance

Mao giving his speech in Yanan

During the Long March, all of the leaders except Mao who suffered from malaria, were required to do farm work. Smoking was considered a luxury. According to Edgar Snow, Mao and Otto Braun occupied themselves with botanical research, testing various kinds of leaves as tobacco substitutes. Meanwhile, in Yanan, General Wang established the Red Army Farm and created a system where Red Army soldiers would alternate weekly between the role of soldier and farmer. It was necessary for the Red Army to produce their own food to survive the blockade and eventually win the war against the Nationalists and Japanese.

We will hold a symposium among the local artists on the "Do It Yourself" art phenomenon of the West. This "DIY" movement and the theory of individual struggle for survival will be contrasted with the Communist ideal of general mobilization and the importance of control and cultivation of resources.

"Mao Zedong with Peasants and Soldiers"

"Mao Zedong among the People"

Musical, "The East is Red," The DIY Campaign in Yanan

Public Self Criticism and Pubilc Perfomance

Wang Jianwei, "Production," Video, 1996

He Chi , Proposal ,"Seizing the Lu Ding Bridge,"
Installation

Hu Liu, Proposal , "Rambles in the Sky "(the name of a number of folk tunes in nothern Shaanxi), Performance