Win or Lose by Yizhen Zhang
This is part of Yizhen Zhang's graduate thesis project. Like him, the man in these photos is the same age. They are both from China, share a similar cultural background, speak the same language, and strive to make a living in New York. However, his experiences have shaped a life in exile starkly different from that of Yizhen Zhang
“At the age of 15, Win embarked on a life-altering journey from Guangdong, China, to the United States, as his family sold their house to fund their American Dream. During that period, a number of Chinese people believed that immigrating to the United States might result in substantial income, enabling them to surpass social barriers and attain economic independence.
Upon arriving in America, Win realized he lacked any familial or social connections in this foreign land. As a result of experiencing a sense of being alone and without assistance in the United States, he sought solace, comfort, and acceptance in Christianity. Additionally, as a Chinese national who arrived in America, it was relatively easy to secure a green card through religious immigration for someone seeking political asylum. Despite residing in the bustling city of New York, Win's world is predominantly confined to the vibrant streets of Chinatown in Flushing, Queens. His limited grasp of English, coupled with his routine existence that stretches from his Flushing home to the barbershop, an hour subway ride away, renders Manhattan, just across the river, a distant and enigmatic world—a place close in proximity yet emotionally distant. Despite sharing the same skin colour and speaking the same language, our divergent life experiences and values shaped us into different people over the years.
In the summer of 2021, he unwittingly became involved in money-laundering operations, trapped by an old friend who used his bank account under the pretext of a currency exchange scheme. Now, while he awaits trial, he must wear an electronic ankle bracelet, which limits him to twelve hours of freedom every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The project comprises photographs of his limited activities in various locations: the church he belongs to, the Flushing Chinatown district, his back-and-forth bus and metro commutes, and the barbershop where he works. These sites represent 99% of Win's everyday existence when he goes out.
Consequently, as the photographer, I am not attempting to critique American culture for its discriminatory and unjust treatment of Asians. I aim to create an impartial yet empathetic documentary of Win’s trials and tribulations in the United States.
Finally, I believe the camera’s eye is never voyeuristic but affording Win’s dignity, dimensionality, and a profound sense of agency even within the limits of his situation.
Lastly, this project is a multimedia endeavour for which I alone designed and produced a photobook that includes 110 pages of text and 55 colour photographs, and a 25-minute documentary film.”
The cover image is named as “Garbage Truck, Garbage Me” as Win was thinking even the garbage truck has more freedom than he does.
This is the final installation of the thesis exhibition located in New York, opening on June 27, 2024. It includes a monitor for the documentary film, 18 framed images measuring 17*22 inches, and 2 photobooks on both sides.
The Exhibition Address is:
SVA Chelsea Gallery
601 W 26th St Suite 1502, New York, NY 10001
Exhibition From June.27th - July. 13th.
Free to Public
Yizhen (Aaron) Zhang is a photographer from Hangzhou, China, with an MFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in street fashion, urban landscapes, human portraiture, and documentary photography. Yizhen prefers using natural light sources to create his unique visual style with a focus on authenticity. He combines traditional documentary narratives with contemporary art to explore the evolving realm of digital imagery.
