Ren Hang, the controversial Bejing photographer, has died at 29 of suicide.
Always provocative and often surreal, Hang featured his friends (and later his fans) nude. While his work was controversial in conservative China, it was revered worldwide. Like Ai Wei Wei, Ren Hang was on the front lines for expression in art in a China. The battle wasn't easy, and he was often censored and arrested for his explicit photographs.
Much of Hang's work is explicit (featuring erections, urine, and sexual acts), but on a broader spectrum he explored youth, sexuality, and nature in beautiful ways. Dwarfing nude human forms against monstrous Beijing architecture, or juxtaposing a sullen subject against milky waters, his work often feltethereal. While the focus of his critics was always been the explicit quality, he wasn't interested in discussing sex and gender. After being pressed on why he so heavily featured penises in a VICE interview, he responded: "Gender isnt important when Im taking pictures, it only matters to me when Im having sex.
Hang's perhaps most endearing quality was his humility and bluntness. He wasn't pretentious by any stretch of the imagination, casually shrugging off his controversies. I dont really view my work as taboo, because I dont think so much in cultural context, or political context." he said. "I dont intentionally push boundaries, I just do what I do."
In addition to being an acclaimed photographer, Ren Hang was also a poet. He documented his long-fought battle with depression on his website, sharing poems and stream-of-consciousness musings.
Ren Hang's arrests came from violating China's obscenity laws, shooting his subjects nude outside. He faced resistance throughout his career from arrests, his exhibitions in China getting cancelled, and his website being shut down twice.
His most recent collection spanning his entire, albeit brief, six year career was released just last month via Taschen. His long-time parter,Jiaqi, is featured on the cover.
See more here:
Remembering Ren Hang: A Subversive to China's Censorship - The ... - Daily Beast
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, MP Warns [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, Kremlin Warns [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship is no way to hold a debate [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Irreverent: A Celebration of Censorship [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- More online censorship coming to closed countries, says report [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- New book retraces the idea of censorship [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Strike Against SOPA & PIPA [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Sonam Kapoor: I Don't Believe In Censorship! Supports AIB roast! - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #4 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- China 'great firewall' expands to step up Internet censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- DIRTY GUILD WARS 2: The Voice Cast - Unnecessary Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Into the Fray Episode 47: NFL Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Weekly Rewind "Feb 1st" Facebook Censorship? - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Street Fighter 3 2nd Impact CENSORED - Akuma's Defeat Portrait's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Inside WM: Is Censorship Ever Okay? - Ep. 3 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- China Targets Virtual Private Networks In Censorship Push - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Tricks to Beat Internet Censorship (On Assignment) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Anal Sex - Video Clip with Remi Newman - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Graphic Content Warnings - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- KIDS vs. FOOD - Unnecessary Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Christian Censorship of Truthiracy - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 War Hammer - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Youtube Media Censorship - #NWO 134 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Listen To "Cyberspace Spirit," China's Anthem To Internet Censorship [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook self-censorship: What happens to the posts you ... [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Unnecessary Censorship of a bunch of Cartoons! - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- DAT CENSORSHIP! - Let's Play Saints Row IV #3 (Playthrough) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- The Rundown Live #414 Open Lines (Corruption,Waking Up,Censorship) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook To Implement Chinese Style Internet Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Paris Fashion Week Debuts Butt Plugs in Reaction to Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook Censorship: What They're Not Telling You - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Best of Unnecessary Censorship Compilation by Jimmy Kimmel - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: When Truth Becomes a Casualty - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Ice Climber CENSORED - Yeti/Seal Enemy - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 Tomahawk - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: The Story Telling Podcast #73 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Rape scene in Hotline Miami 2 and censorship - The Tara Show - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #3 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Destiny Unnecessary Censorship - Censored Cutscenes - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- What's Cool in China? Censorship, Teenage Couples, Gay Guys - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- YOUR Thumbs UP Vanish! + Google Censorship...a Way Around It - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Zoom Censorship Examples 9-11 to Bosoms Version 2 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Let's Play The Forest | Part 2 | Censorship! - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- INTEL Museum censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Proxy Database - Access Restricted Information, Bypass Censorship! - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Criminal Girls Invite Only CENSORED - Punish/Motivate Time/Spanking - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Let's Try: Stay Dead Evolution: Nazi Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Loser Laowai on Censorship in China Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Censorship? - - Project Censored [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship | American Civil Liberties Union [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship Update: My channel is back! - Video [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Alex Kidd In The Enchanted Castle CENSORED - Rock Paper Scissors - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Internet Censorship - Big Brother is Watching Everything - YouTube - Video [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- What is Censorship? - Global Internet Liberty Campaign ... [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GSC Owner Forces Censorship of Youtube Video - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Before It's News Lisa Haven Used To Be A Skeptic! (On Chrislam, Facebook Censorship, The Madhi) - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Top Censored Gaming - Sexy Edition Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Soul Calibur CENSORED - Mitsurugi/Arthur Character - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Censorship Moments in Rooster Teeth - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Chinas Internet Censorship Agency Has Its Own Anthem And We Translated It - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Manga Censorship Discussion - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Top Censored Covers - Gaming Box Art Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Cars 2 CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Tuff E Nuff CENSORED - Gameplay's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon 64 CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Evil Zone CENSORED - Erel Plowse's Outfit - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Pilotwings 64 CENSORED -Turin Shroud's Jesus Christ Face/Everfrost Island - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Inro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Another World (Out Of This World) CENSORED - Nudity - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Jannie's Grandpa Boss/Tentacle - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- OBAMA WANTS INTERNET CENSORSHIP, START A NEW WAR, FORCIBLY VACCINATE YOU, AND SIGN THE TPP. - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Silent Hill CENSORED - Grey Child/Mumbler Enemies - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Mario Party CENSORED - Mini Games/Luigi & Wario Losing - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Ursula Dropping Pants For Sailors - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Fou-Lu Decapitating Emperor Soniel - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Resident Evil 2 CENSORED - Player Death Scenes/Animations - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]