Peng Zuqiang's 'Short-term Histories' at Rockbund Art Museum explores memory and dissent through film
The Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai is currently hosting Peng Zuqiang's exhibition titled 'Short-term Histories,' which will be open until 26 April 2025. A highlight of the exhibition is his three-channel film installation 'Afternoon Hearsay' (2025), which delves into the 8.75mm film format utilized for state-sanctioned distribution from the 1960s to the 1980s. Peng transforms existing reels into 16mm and 35mm color negatives, incorporating modern Super 8 footage, narrated in Mandarin by four voices recounting unusual occurrences. Another piece, 'Déjà vu' (2023), created in response to the 2022 White Paper Movement protests, employs metal rescue wire on 16mm film to confront censorship of phrases like 'white paper.' His previous installation, 'keep in touch' (2021), reflects on queer relationships, with Peng’s work critiquing institutional power and highlighting overlooked narratives through subtle artistic expression.
Key facts
- Peng Zuqiang's exhibition 'Short-term Histories' is on view at Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai through 26 April 2025
- The exhibition features the three-channel film installation 'Afternoon Hearsay' (2025)
- Peng works with China's historical 8.75mm film format, manufactured 1960s-80s for state-controlled distribution without recording capability
- The installation 'Déjà vu' (2023) responds to China's 2022 White Paper Movement protests and subsequent censorship
- Peng uses cameraless filmmaking techniques, including photogramming archival 8.75mm film onto 16mm/35mm negatives
- The artist's work explores queer connections in 'keep in touch' (2021) through gestures and ambiguous communication
- Peng's practice examines tensions between institutional control and personal expression in China's political context
- The exhibition is featured in the Winter 2025 issue of ArtReview Asia
Entities
Artists
- Peng Zuqiang
Institutions
- Rockbund Art Museum
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- Ürümqi
- Xinjiang