Kotama Bouabane’s series Follow Suit comments on globalization and the Chinese interpretation of the American Dream. His documentary photographs a theme park located outside of Beijing that explores the differences between Eastern and Western culture.
Bouabane, a Toronto-based photographer, uses the lens of a tourist and humor to capture monuments, moments in history and model cities within a Chinese city. Bouabane says he approached the series looking for images that were “more cinematic or staged” to capture images within images.
His photos of Ju Jun, better known as Orange County, China, a $60M replica of American-style housing, speaks to the Westernization of Asia. His photo NYC, China, will be featured along with more than 120 images at SNAP!, a photographic art fundraising event benefiting the Aids Committee of Toronto.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Eastern-western Cultural Differences
- The Follow Suit series highlights the cultural differences between the East and West, presenting opportunities for cross-cultural communication and innovation.
- Globalization and Copycat Culture
- Bouabane's photography series draws attention to the impact of globalization and the prevalence of copycat culture in emerging markets.
- Simulacra and Theme Parks
- Follow Suit invites us to consider the role of simulacra and theme parks as both a reflection of and a commentary on Western culture's influence on the rest of the world.
Where This Applies
- Tourism
- The Follow Suit series highlights the potential for cross-cultural travel experiences and the need for more authentic and diverse representations of local culture in the tourism industry.
- Art and Photography
- Bouabane's series highlights the role of art and photography in sparking critical discourse about globalization and cultural identity.
- Architecture and Urban Planning
- The Orange County replica featured in Follow Suit raises questions around urban planning and architecture, including the role of cultural influence in shaping urban environments.
