ABSTRACT

This chapter outlines whether the visual representations of the China Dream can, therefore, be described as a manifestation of revolutionary cultural heritage. The China Dream poster campaign features objects and artwork created at 'well known folk art institutions'. A brief look at the aesthetic and iconographic aspects of a small selection of the designs, with consideration of their key influences, will help to situate the visual representations of the China Dream within the historical trajectory of Chinese visual culture under communism. In addition to promoting the revolutionary ideals, there is a pragmatic motive for the official promotion of red tourism. The poster designs assert particular visions of China and the character of the Chinese people generated by the nationalist agenda. They thusly make use of genres and techniques perceived to be uniquely or characteristically China, regardless of their origin in pre-revolution visual culture or post-revolution visual culture.