We all know from the poster, that it's a deer and not a horse. But the situation in China, under a strong filtering system, they may not know this" animal" (the information) is not a "horse" (what China media is trying to portrait) but "a deer" (the truth), or worse, people are not allow to say it's a "deer".
This black-ironic-humored poster is done for an exhibition called "Graphical dialogue: China / Hong Kong" in Leipzig, Germany. This exhibition aimed to discuss designer's thoughts on the relationship between China and Hong Kong based on cultural, political, historial or current issue.
The idea of my poster is based on the current protest "Umbrella Revolution" (started on 9.28) in Hong Kong. The China media has been twisting information since long time. Without surprise, the media in China tried to filter or twist the what is actually happened in Hong Kong. For example, the China media wrote Hong Kong people were gathered together to celebrate the National day (1.10), while the truth is that people are protesting against their government.
It's exactly like the whole poster style, simply peaceful poster with a deer sitting gracefully under the sun.
Media always play an important role under the freedom of speech and democracy. People get their information through media.
The poster is made from the perspective of China media in how they can simply twist the fact.
There is a Chinese saying, meaning twisted fact. “指鹿為馬" means literally "pointing a deer and say it is a horse". This is my major reference in decribing the China media by decribing Hong Kong situation completely opposite with the truth.
The sun was a symbol of communisum or China government. In China, they had a quote "Chairman Mao Is the Red Sun in the Hearts of the People of the World". Hong Kong is of course belonged to China since 1997, and China is now trying to convert Hong Kong from a democracy city into their dictatorship system. However, the 'sun' is covered with clouds which mean communism or dictatorship cannot completely 'shine' to Hong Kong yet.
The red stamp is with signature ”偉大領袖"/"The great leader" can show more clearly that the text “你是匹馬"/ "You are a horse" is said by the China government (as communism countries always called their president as the great leader)
An obvious hint to show the deer representing Hong Kong is with the Bauhinia blakeana motif from HK flag in the deer's eye.
The mouth of the deer is seal with zipper ,which means HK cannot voice their idea or truth to the China media. There is also a small injury or cut on the deer's leg which also means that the injuried Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors but Hong Kong people remain as a whole are still strong enough to stand up again.
The body of the deer is a photo extracted from the media. It is a photo of a big group of Hong Kong people are fighting against the police and democracy.
