REALITY |Millennial Migrant Workers

Li+Zhenyu

Among the estimated 200 million Chinese migrant workers， at least 40 million were born in the 1990s. Compared to their parents， this group of “millennial” migrant workers yearns more for modern lifestyles and acceptance within the urban landscapes， where they currently live and work. However， the new generation is less willing to endure hardship. Actually， due to economic and educational factors， their living conditions remain almost the same as their parents.

Dissembled Youth

The highlight of this series is its fulfillment of a comprehensive showcase of strategically selected subjects typical moments. All the pictures were taken in factories in Chinas developed coastal areas， where millennial migrant workers， appearing either naive or sophisticated， waste away their youths on assembly lines. Inspired by these young people and their restless coming-of-age， Li Zhenyu chose to communicate with them via the camera and print his findings in pictures. I would like to interpret these young peoples facial expressions as fearless – after they bravely relocated from rural areas to metropolises. However， they remain at the mercy of the times and fate， which are symbolized by the mechanical assembly lines， and in reality， they have no idea where their fearlessness will ultimately lead.