The Visual Image as a Symbol of Modernity in Chinese Popular Culture

At the simplest level, the introduction of modernity in China can be traced to the introduction of Western culture and goods, and to the opening of China to Westerners. Many technologies such as the camera came to China from the West or were developed I order to imitate Western technological prowess. However, simple imitation of the West is insufficient to describe the process of China's modernization. In a larger sense, the "modern moment" in Chinese history occurred in the form of a paradigm shift to a largely visual popular culture.

The introduction of silent film is the most obvious example of a popular culture becoming more and more focused on images. The silent film, more than any other form of entertainment, including sound films, is centered on the power of images. The popularity of actresses like Ruan Lingyu, who used facial expressions and visual cues to evoke powerful emotions in the audience without the need for dialogue is a testament to the power of the image.