qingjian meng juxtaposes past and present in this photographic series titled ‘gold rush’. the los-angeles based creative has merged 19th century characters with 21st century technology, forming an unexpected collision of time periods and chronological inconsistencies. 

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despite the first electronics appearing in the 19th century — with the first telephone call in 1876, and first functional light bulb in 1878 — these years aren’t quite the epitome of high-technology. in the photographic series of eight images, men wear double-breasted coats and trousers, while women don high waistlines and patterned bonnets. while their traditional attire characteristically catalogs 19th century garb, the seamless introduction of high-tech devices comes as an unexpected surprise. qingjian meng has added apple watches, personal drones, ipads, headphones and e-cigarettes to the scenes, creating both a dialogue between the generations and showing their undeniable differences. 

qingjian-meng-gold-rush-19th-century-portraits-21st-century-technology-designboom-02

qingjian-meng-gold-rush-19th-century-portraits-21st-century-technology-designboom-02

qingjian-meng-gold-rush-19th-century-portraits-21st-century-technology-designboom-02

qingjian-meng-gold-rush-19th-century-portraits-21st-century-technology-designboom-02

qingjian-meng-gold-rush-19th-century-portraits-21st-century-technology-designboom-02

qingjian-meng-gold-rush-19th-century-portraits-21st-century-technology-designboom-02

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