The Moment: The Case of the Burning CCTV Building

Contemporary Issues, Honorable Mention prize stories

15-09-2009

The photographer does pushups at a place of topical significance. The Moment: The Case of the Burning CCTV Building. On 9 February, fire raged through the studios of China Central Television shortly before the new building was opened. The blaze had been started by huge fireworks, set off without the requisite government permission, by a squad allegedly hired illegally by CCTV officials.

Photo Credit: Ou Zhihang

Ou is actually a television personality in China. In 1988, he began working for Guangdong TV, founding and hosting important programs over the years. This is the reason why he has been able to go to places others would not have access. Ou also went abroad to capture other society stories. For instance, he conducted performance at sites of Paris and Belgium terrorist attacks. Other Ou’s works have visually examined sensitive issues such as Tibet autonomous region, and the consequences of the Olympic Games in 2008. Yet interestingly he has never been censored and can freely exhibit his photographs in China.