Prof. Callahan: “Who Is China?” – “Wolf Totem” and Identity

Professor of International Politics William Callahan (visiting PSU from U. of Manchester, England) spoke at Pacific Northwest College of Art on “Who Is China? Writers and artists dream of the future.”  Callahan explained briefly the views of Chinese public intellectuals - philosopher Zhao Tingyang, writer Jiang Rong, film directors Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee and artist Cai Guo-Qiang.

 

The lecture was a bit alarming. While Washington politicians ask “Will China become a responsible international stakeholder?” and China’s leaders speak of “a peacefully rising China working for a harmonious world,” Callahan presented the sometimes disturbing views of its leading artists on the Chinese identity and role in the world.

 

The most interesting and, to me, disturbing was writer Jiang Rong and his book “Wolf Totem” (2004). “Wolf Totem” sold 25 million copies (only 10% legal) and is China’s number two all-time best seller after Mao’s “Little Red Book.” “Wolf Totem” tells the story of a young man from Beijing who goes to work in Inner Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution (see wiki here). He finds attributes of the nomads and wolves, such as “ferocity, strength, and violence,” as the best model for China’s future. The general argument seems to be that the Chinese have been sheep and need to become more wolf like. A bit of an alarming notion to me.

 

Zhang Yimow made the movie “Hero” about an assassin who ultimately becomes the hero by refusing to kill the emperor because the emperor provides order and to kill him would bring on chaos. Here is a scene from “Hero.”

 

Cai Guo-Qiang (see wiki here) creates explosive and violent art, and is known for his fireworks. He did the Olympic fireworks. While his works are open to a variety of interpretations, their destructive, violent aspects are disturbing. Several of his works follow.

Comments

[Pandora Charms]

The lecture was a bit alarming. While Washington politicians ask “Will China become a responsible international stakeholder?” and China’s leaders speak of “a peacefully rising China working for a harmonious world,” Callahan presented the sometimes disturbing views of its leading artists on the Chinese identity and role in the world.

[pandora]

The lecture was a bit alarming. While Washington politicians ask “Will China become a responsible international stakeholder?” and China’s leaders speak of “a peacefully rising China working for a harmonious world,” Callahan presented the sometimes disturbing views of its leading artists on the Chinese identity and role in the world.

[christian louboutin]

The lecture was a bit alarming. While Washington politicians ask “Will China become a responsible international stakeholder?” and China’s leaders speak of “a peacefully rising China working for a harmonious world,” Callahan presented the sometimes disturbing views of its leading artists on the Chinese identity and role in the world.

[Tory Burch]

The lecture was a bit alarming. While Washington politicians ask “Will China become a responsible international stakeholder?” and China’s leaders speak of “a peacefully rising China working for a harmonious world,” Callahan presented the sometimes disturbing views of its leading artists on the Chinese identity and role in the world.

[christian louboutin uk]

The most interesting and, to me, disturbing was writer Jiang Rong and his book “Wolf Totem” (2004). “Wolf Totem” sold 25 million copies (only 10% legal) and is China’s number two all-time best seller after Mao’s “Little Red Book.