[00:00 - 00:07]
Two teal columns appear on the left and right of the screen. A cream coloured column is in the centre. The artist’s name and the date the work was created is at the top left of the screen NELL TENHAAF 1984. This text remains on screen throughout the video. Red text appears on the cream column: SHOPPING FOR VALUE (SYSTEMS).
On the left of the screen appears the text: MYTH AND MEMORY A TECHNOLOGICAL FANTASY PRESS (1) AND RETURN
On the right of the screen red text appears: WATCHING THE NEWS REPORTS FROM EAST PRESS (2) AND RETURN.
At the bottom of the screen white text reads: WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CANADA COUNCIL MEDIA ARTS.
[00:08 - 00:16]
Watching the news is selected. Two red columns appear on either side of the image. A green column is in the centre. Four green boxes appear, two on each side of the column. Text in the green central column: BOSTON GLOBE MARCH, 1984 CHINESE FARM LIFE CHANGE BY COMMUNAL CONSENT. This is the China Menu.
[00:17 - 00:23]
New text appears in the same location: LATE LAST YEAR, THE FARMERS ON A RAMSHACKLE SUBURBAN COMMUNE DECIDED THEY HAD A PROBLEM.
[00:24 - 00:28]
THE NAME OF THEIR COMMUNE WAS THE EAST IS RED COMMUNE.
[00:29 - 00:34]
IN THE PASSIONATE DAYS OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION, THAT HAS SOUNDED LIKE A FINE NAME.
[00:35 - 00:39]
BUT BY LAST YEAR IT SOUNDED ODD. TOO LEFTIST. TOO POLITICAL. Instructions for the viewer appear in the bottom right of the image: TYPE (1).
[00:40 - 00:48]
More text with the same background appears: NOW THE EAST IS RED COMMUNE HAS BECOME THE ZHANG WA COMMUNE.
[00:49 - 00:51]
New imagery is added to the central column. The text CHINA LATE 20TH C appears at the top. A hand drawn image of a 20th century Chinese person appears in the centre of the green column.
[00:52 – 00:58]
Text appears on the existing background. In the left top square text appears: 1. NOVELTY. In the bottom square is the text 2. STABILITY. In the top right square is the text 3. OPTIONS and in the bottom right square is the text 4. MAIN Menu. In the bottom right corner instructions appear: CHOOSE A NUMBER.
[00:59 - 01:00]
The first option is selected. The same background is redrawn. This is the Novelty Menu. More details are added to the illustration of the Chinese man. He is now wearing a hat and holding a cooking implement that resembles a pizza peel with a cooked whole chicken on it. The text NOVELTY is in the top left box. The bottom left box reads: 1. NEW TOYS. The top right box reads: 2. FAST FOOD. The bottom right box reads: 3. CHINA Menu.
[01:01 - 01:05]
The image changes. The illustration of the Chinese man remains in the centre now backed by a blue background. The text ZHANG WA COMMUNE appears at the top. Below is the text: ANHUI PROVINCE, CHINA. To the left of the man is the text: IN 1980 THE COMMUNE JOINED THE MASSIVE RESTRUCTURING OF CHINA’S RURAL ECONOMY THAT HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO NEARLY EVERY CORNER OF THIS PREDOMINANTLY AGRICULTURAL NATION.
[01:06 - 01:14]
The cooking tool disappears from the man’s hand and a television replaces it.
[01:15 - 01:26]
New text replaces the previous block of text: EACH OF THE COMMUNE’S 4,800 HOUSEHOLDS WAS ASSIGNED A PLOT OF LAND TO FARM AS IT PLEASED. SINCE 1970, SAID REICTOR ZHANG, THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME PER WORKER ON THE COMMUNE HAS RISEN FROM $124 US TO $174 PER YEAR.
[01:27 - 01:29]
Four televisions appear stacked on top of one another on the right of the screen.
[01:30 - 01:33]
New text appears on the background that remains the same: ONLY A FEW DOZEN FAMILIES HAD TELEVISION SET BEFORE 1980, SAID ZHANG. NOW THERE ARE MORE THAN 1,500 TELEVISIONS ON THE COMMUNE. New instructions appear at the bottom left of the screen: CHOOSE: 1. T.V. PROGRAM 2. OTHER NOVELTY.
[01: 34 - 01:55]
The screen remains mostly the same with the background lightening to a teal colour. New text appears: JULY, 1984. NEW YORK (AP) - CBS TELEVISION PROGRAMS RANGING FROM 60 MINUTES TO SPORT WILL BE SHOWN ON THE CHINESE NATIONAL NETWORK IN THE FIRST DEAL OF ITS KIND INVOLVING U.S. BROADCASTS, OFFICIALS FROM BOTH NETWORKS HAVE ANNOUNCED. STARTING DEC. 1, THE 64 HOURS OF PROGRAMMING WILL BE SHOWN UNDER A ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT SIGNED BY CBS AND THE CHINA CENTRAL TELEVISION NETWORK. The screens of the stacked televisions on the right change to blue.
[01:56 - 02:03]
New text appears on the same background: IN ADDITION TO 60 MINUTES, CHINESE SELECTIONS INCLUDED WALTER CRONKITE’S SCIENCE MAGAZINE PROGRAM, UNIVERSE, WORLD WAR II, A 12-PART SERIES; AND FOUR ANIMATED DR. SEUSS SPECIALS.
[02:04 - 02:07]
Instructions appear at the bottom left of the page: CHOOSE: 1. OTHER NOVELTY 2. CHINA Menu
[02:08 - 02:15]
Option 1 is selected. The screen returns to the Novelty Menu. This time option 2 fast food is selected
[02:16 - 02:24]
The text on the screen disappears. The Chinese man remains and is now framed by a yellow rectangle. Text is added on the left that reads: PEKING (AP-UPI) - APRIL, 1984 CHINA HAS UNVEILED ITS FIRST FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT, A STATE-OWNED EATERY.
[02:25 - 02:36]
More text appears on the right of the image: HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS, AND FRENCH FRIENDS COMPETE FOR CUSTOMERS RAISED ON NOODLES AND CABBAGE. The man in the centre of the image is now holding a tray with a cup and a hamburger on it.
[02:37 - 02:42]
New text appears on the left while all other parts of the image remain: THE RESTAURANT’S NAME YI-LI, MEANS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PROFIT.
[02:43 - 02:48]
New instructions appear at the bottom of the screen: CHOOSE: 1. MORE FAST FOOD 2. OTHER NOVELTY
[02:49 - 02:58]
The text of the image disappears. The man in the centre returns to holding the kitchen tool with a chicken on it. To the right of the man text appears: BESIDES HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, FRENCH FRIES AND HAM SANDWICHES, THE YI-LI SELLS ITEM RANGING
[02:59 - 3:03]
Text on the left appears: FROM FRENCH TOAST TO SWEET-AND-SOUR PORK.
[03:04 - 03:09]
New text appears on the right: PRICES RANGE FROM 70 FEN (40 CENTS) FOR COFFEE TO 6 YUAN ($4) FOR PRAWN TOAST.
[03:10 - 03:18]
New text appears on the left: FOREIGNERS AND COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL USUALLY DINE IN THE MORE EXPENSIVE PLACES
[03:19 - 03:20]
New text appears on the right: SUCH AS THE PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT, WHICH COSTS ABOUT 20 YUAN ($12) A PERSON. New instructions appear in the bottom right of the screen: CHOOSE 1. OTHER NOVELTY 2. CHINA Menu
[03:21 - 03:27]
China Menu is selected.
[03:28 - 03:44]
The screen returns to the China Menu. Stability is selected.
[03:45 - 03:49]
Two red columns appear on either side of the image. A green column is in the centre with the drawing of the man. Four green boxes appear, two on each side of the column. In the top left box is the word STABILITY. In the bottom left is the word: 1. CONTROL. In the top right is the word: 2. INCENTIVE. In the bottom right is the word: 3. CHINA Menu.This is the Stability Menu.
[03:50 - 03:53]
The image changes. The illustration of the Chinese man remains in the centre now backed by a blue background. He is joined by an image of a toddler standing, which is repeated four times. The text HEFEI appears at the top. Below it is the text: ANHUI PROVINCE, CHINA.
[03:54 - 04:05]
Text is added to the screen: NINETY OF EVERY 100 BABIES IS BORN LAST YEAR IN THIS PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF 860,000 WILL PROBABLY NEVER HAVE A BROTHER OR SISTER.
[04:06 - 04:21]
New text replaces the previous text on the same background: IN THE SPACE OF LESS THAN A GENERATION, OFFICIALS HERE SAY, CHINA IS BECOMING A NATION OF SINGLE CHILDREN. THEY EXPRESS HOPE FOR A POPULATION STABILIZED AT ABOUT 1.2 BILLION BY THE YEAR 2000.
[04:22 - 04:25]
Instructions appear on the right of the screen: 1 MORE CONTROL 2 OTHER STABILITY
[04:26 - 04:38]
Option one is selected. New text appears: INCENTIVES FOR LATE MARRIAGE - AGE 25 FOR MEN AND 23 FOR WOMEN - FOR LATE CHILD-BIRTH, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE PLEDGE TO HAVE ONLY ONE CHILD, ADD UP TO AN ATTRACTIVE PACKAGE OF EXTRA MATERNITY LEAVE, INCOME AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
[04:39 - 04:43]
The text is replaced: WHAT’S MORE, SINGLE CHILDREN ARE PROMISED PRIVILEGED STATUS FOR LIFE OVER ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR AGE GROUP UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A SIBLING. Above the text is a drawing of a small child.
[04:44 - 04:49]
New instructions appear: CHOOSE: 1 OTHER STABILITY 2 CHINA Menu.
[04:50 - 04:58]
Other stability is selected and the screen returns to the Stability Menu. The Incentive option is selected.
[04:59 - 05:05]
A new background with the Chinese man in the centre appears. There are blocks of red on both sides of the screen and green on the top and bottom of the screen. Text appears on the left: THE RICHEST HOUSEHOLD ON THE COMMUNE LAST YEAR EARNED AN INCOME OF $8,500 - A FORTUNE BY CHINESE STANDARDS.
[05:06 - 05:16]
A large rectangle appears in the centre of the screen. A drawing of three red cherries appears held together by its stem. Text appears on the right: THE LUCKY HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM THAT EARNED THAT SU MADE IT BY TRANSPORTING PRODUCE AND GOOD INTO THE CAPITAL.
[05:17 - 05:21]
New text appears on the left: THEY BOUGHT A TRUCK TO DO THE HAULING. CHOOSE: 1. MORE INCENTIVE 2. JACKPOT
[05:22 - 05:27]
The red cherries remain while the background fills with a dark grey colour bordered by a light green colour. Text at the top reads: “OF COURSE THERE ARE SOME POORER PEASANTS WHO ARE ENVIOUS OF THE RICH ONES, BUT THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES THE POOR ONES JUST TO WORK HARDER” SAID ZHANG.
[05:28 - 5:39]
More cherries are added to the existing bunch. New instructions appear on the left: CHOOSE: 1. OTHER STABILITY 2. CHINA Menu.
[05: 40 - 06:08]
The image returns to the China Menu.
[06:09 - 06:13]
Two red columns appear on either side of the image. A green column is in the centre with the drawing of the man. Four green boxes appear, two on each side of the column. In the top left box is the word OPTIONS. In the bottom left is the word: 1. UPS. In the top right is the word: 2. DOWNS. In the bottom right is the word: 3. CHINA Menu.This is the Options Menu.
[06:14 - 06:22]
Option 1 is selected. A blue rectangle appears with the drawing of a person wearing shorts and a tank top on top of it. The top of the image reads: THE GLOBE AND MAIL AUGUST 8, 1984. Below that reads: CANADIAN HOPES FOR A MEDAL IN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WERE DASHED YESTERDAY WHEN CANADA DROPPED A 63-57 DECISION TO CHINA IN THEIR BRONZE-MEDAL GAME AT THE LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS.
[06:23 - 06:29]
The scene remains the same but a basketball is added, moving up and down by the figure.
[06:30 - 06:37]
New text is added to the scene: THE CANADIANS NEVER SEEMED TO GET ON TRACK IN THEIR MATCH AGAINST CHINA. DESPITE DEFEATING THE CHINESE IN THEIR PRELIMINARY ROUND-MEETING, THE CANADIANS NEVER LED YESTERDAY.
[06:38 - 06:42]
New instructions appear: CHOOSE: 1. OTHER OPTIONS 2. CHINA Menu.
[06:43 - 06:49]
Other Options is selected. The screen returns to the Options Menu.
[06:50 - 07:00]
A blue rectangle appears with the original drawing of a Chinese man on it. The top of the image has a red rectangle on top of it is text that reads: SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE BY RODERICK STWEAR AND SHARON STEWART. Text is added to the blue rectangle: HARBIN - WHAT WE WITNESSED WAS PART OF A NATION-WIDE CRIME CAMPAIGN. IN HARBIN, 47 PEOPLE WENT TO THEIR DEATHS ON THAT DAY ALONG…ACCORDING TO THE LISTS WE SAW, MURDER, RAPE, AND ROBBERY WERE THE MOST COMMON OFFENCES.
[07:01 - 07:07]
More text is added to the right of the screen: AND A CLOSER LOOK AT THE STATISTICS FOR THE FIRST 47 EXECUTED REVEALED THAT NEARLY 50% WERE UNEMPLOYED AND 78% WERE UNDER 30.
[07:08 - 07:15]
The previous text on the left is replaced by instructions: CHOOSE: 1. OTHER OPTIONS 2. CHINA Menu.
[07:16 - 07:42]
The screen returns to the very first image of the video.
Video description by Shauna Jean Doherty.