Photographer Qingjian Meng's 'Gold Rush' series blends 19th century figures with 21st century technology.
The Gold Rush features 19th century characters using various types of 21st century technology as a blending of eras. The modern technology seems so out of place next to the 19th century costumers and poses. The costumes are made with exquisite detail, but the juxtaposition of attire and accessories is comical. The characters hold objects like a video game controller, an iPad, a drone controller, and are wearing objects like Beats headphones and an Apple Watch.
Meng created the Gold Rush series to "explore the coexistence of two different eras." The whimsical series shows his belief that to create something new, people have to build on the foundations created by their predecessors.
Era-Blending Portraits
The 'Gold Rush' Series Features 19th Century Figures Holding Modern Tech
Trend Themes
1. Blending Eras - The 'Gold Rush' series showcases the trend of blending 19th century figures with 21st century technology, providing an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the field of art and photography.
2. Technological Anachronisms - The use of modern technology in historical portraits presents a trend of technological anachronisms, offering disruptive innovation potential in the realm of fashion and costume design.
3. Exploring Coexistence - The 'Gold Rush' series explores the coexistence of two different eras, sparking the trend of examining historical and contemporary elements together, which holds potential for disruptive innovation in the realm of historical preservation and storytelling.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Photography - The 'Gold Rush' series highlights disruptive innovation opportunities in the art and photography industry by combining historical figures with modern technology to create thought-provoking visuals.
2. Fashion and Costume Design - The use of contrasting attire and accessories in the 'Gold Rush' series presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion and costume design industry by blending historical aesthetics with contemporary elements.
3. Historical Preservation and Storytelling - The exploration of coexistence in the 'Gold Rush' series opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the industry of historical preservation and storytelling by merging different historical eras to create engaging narratives.