Zhang Shiwen, 


(Beijing, 1991), graduated in Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she works as research assistant in Cultural Studies.

She has published two books in Chinese, “The Declaration of Independence of New Youth”(2014) and “The Small Arts”(2015).

“The Small Arts: Contemporary Life Aesthetics” (2015) The Small Arts analyzes the uniqueness of art-positive life practices in China; faraway yet so close to Western art histories. Written as an artistic sequel to The Declaration of Independence of New Youth and an answer to the missing modern aesthetics in China, the book details contemporary culture and testimonies arts in daily life, as changing practices and spirits in movie, theatre, music, literature, architecture. The small arts are seen as a wide range of contemporary art and media forms appearing in daily life representation.

“The Declaration of Independence of New Youth” (2014) The book endeavors to offer a modern Declaration of Independence of New Youth based on an analysis of cultural phenomena (experimental theatre, independent cinema, folk music, vintage, etc.) of New Youth in China. ‘New Youth’ refers to those born in 80s and 90s in Beijing and Shanghai, who have a new culture orientation, in which you can find ‘foules', hippies, rockers who are both rebellious, independent, violent and at the same time lonely, vulnerable, ambiguous. By the Declaration of Independence, they advocate a dreamy lifestyle and cultural ideal.

---

---