Abstract
The 1958 gathering of socialist bloc photo agencies in Budapest marked a key moment in Cold War cultural production, with representatives from eleven countries converging to assess and exhibit press photography. This event highlighted the importance of visual media in the ideological battle for influence but has largely been forgotten by history. The Chinese perspective, documented by Shi Shaohua, reveals both anxiety over the quality of socialist photography and the pursuit of innovation within Socialist Realism. By examining the event, this article explores the shared efforts among socialist photographers, such as Chen Bo, to create compelling, affective visual narratives that would counter Western influence. It argues for recognizing the institutional infrastructure and the personal endeavours of photographers like Shi and Chen, thereby illuminating a more nuanced understanding of socialist state photography beyond mere propaganda.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call