A photography exhibition by French artist San Bartolome entitled Moon Door Dreamers opened in the 798 Art Zone in Beijing on December 10, 2011, presenting a cross-cultural perspective (视角) on ordinary life in the capital city.
Bartolome took these photos in August 2008, and produced a video named Two Worlds, One Dream. These works were displayed in Pingyao, an ancient city in Shanxi Province, under the title Beijing Midsummer Night Dream in September 2010.
The moon doors serve as a keyhole through which one can catch a glimpse of a slice of Beijing life. He got his inspiration from one cycling trip to the southeastern suburb of Beijing, where he discovered a peculiar street along which a gray brick wall was built to cover the shabby bungalows. These cabins were mostly rented by migrant workers- peddlers, craftsmen, grocers and innkeepers.
Born in 1950, Bartolome has worked as a photographer, stage director. Artistic manager, writer and diplomat. A noted Sinophile, Bartolome frequently visits China for photographic subjects. In the fall of 2003, he joined the French Embassy in Beijing as a cultural attache. His work experience in China from 2003 to 2015 further enhanced his awareness of and love for China.
Bartolome not only loves Chinese culture but also the Chinese people. He thinks that Chinese people are kind, welcoming and diverse.
Back from his bike ride to southeastern Beijing, he decided to shoot pictures about ordinary urban lifestyles. He observed dwellers carefully and made friends with them.
After about 30 days and nights that he spent with these common migrants, he created a number of portraits. Meanwhile, he learned more about those rural migrants who earn their living in a city with which they are unfamiliar.
He adopted an optimistic perspective to shoot the sights, and he borrowed the title of one of William Shakespeare s comedy works: A Midsummer Night's Dream.
