Interactive Poster

This interactive poster is developed as the end of year project of first year Digital Arts Computing, in response to the topic of 'Mapping Inside/Outside'.
This project aims to map the new propaganda poster "aesthetic" that emerged since Xi Jinping came into power in 2013, which involves a strong emphasis on his images, and the idea of the Chinese Dream (中国梦). The poster serves as a form of protest against the dictatorship led by Xi, highlighting the stark contrast between the grand narratives he promotes and the harsh realities experienced by Chinese citizens as subjects of state violence.
The image of the building covered with Xi's avatar is the first thing that inspires me, the building was supposed to be removed by the government for standing in the way of a Shanghai subway line construction. The landlord covered his property with Xi's image, hoping his power will protect his building from demolition order, it lived as a public installation for a few days and was then taken down. The story of the building is sarcastic in itself, as it reflects how common people in China understand his image as untouchable and powerful. I therefore use this image as the foundation for this poster, augmenting it with common propaganda images and texts reminiscent of the asethetic of current Chinese propaganda posters.
Created using HTML, CSS, p5.js and freezeframe.js, the poster allows users to explore concealed elements by hovering or clicking on specific elements. However, the poster's impact isn't solely reliant on user interaction; rather, it provides a layered and nuanced exploration of the intricate interplay between political imagery, public perception, and the reality faced by Chinese citizens.
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