Give Me Love, or Give Me Death
P H O T O G R A P H Y
Give Me Love, or Give Me Death is inspired by “green quarters”, a vanished and unique Chinese traditional culture which became a byword for brothels, but indeed had no relationship with prostitution initially.
In the green quarters lived well-educated and well-mannered courtesans. An admirer had to earn her company through a number of challenges. The first involved sending a poem to the lady via a hired messenger. Only with her approval could he enter the quarters to compete with other potential suitors in an elimination contest. In a romantic twist, the battle was not fought with weapons but artistic talents like music, chess, calligraphy and painting, while the lady might steal a glance behind the door. The winner would be awarded with an audience with her, where they indulged in music or poetry before he was sent home. This Battle Royale was repeated night after night until she fell in love with one of the men, who earned the privilege to marry her after buying out her contract.
Long perceived as a place of simple lust and desires, green quarters were actually a heaven of free love. I am mesmerised by the adoration that began outside the quarters, the courage of the suitors and the graceful proceedings inside. No matter the odds or the sacrifices, they fought for their love. Thus I present their determination as the central theme of this chapter.
I picture each love story as a war. A staged fight would be clichéd, so I tried to highlight the relief of someone who overcomes rumours and hearsay, and knocks out his rival with his last strength. It has an elegant, mysterious beauty that is hard to put into words. My photos are about the feelings after successful courtship, and a victory celebrated not by cheers but sighs of contentment. The Japanese photography style is perhaps the most effective in expressing the covert emotions.
The love story unfolds in a place of utmost youth and honesty. The four characters are introduced by way of student portraits showing their insistency and persistence under the bruises and scars, followed by four photos in which they taste wine, appreciate paintings and flowers, and play music in the green quarters.
Year
2023
Publication
Where The Firework Dies 煙花之地, 2023, HK
[ISBN:978-988-76921-0-2]
Position
Photographer
Art Director