The Busking Project - Documenting Street Performance Worldwide

The Cynical Realism school of art reflects the country’s attitude to politics and individual expression since the waning of the pro-democracy movement in the late nineteen eighties. Still, there are echoes of ancient Chinese philosophy and religion in Beijing and Shanghai’s art scenes. Both cities have a long tradition of street artists. Demonstrators do everything from balancing giant concrete blocks on their shoulders to standing barefoot on metal spikes. There are also groups of young acrobats, contortionists, and knife jugglers. There is some debate about whether or not all of the many performers found on the streets of Beijing and Shanghai can be considered ‘pure’ artists. Many people (tourists and citizens alike) are shocked by the presence of young people performing on the street because the children may be being exploited to perform by adults. Some people don’t know whether to support the young performers or report them to the authorities.