March 13, 2007 (CSN) -- The China Support Network (CSN) on Tuesday announced an interactive online exhibit allowing web site visitors to throw eggs and ink at a portrait of Chairman Mao. The "Egg Mao" exhibit is based on a demonstration by Lu Decheng, Yu Zhijian, and Yu Dongyue in May 1989. The three men splattered Mao Zedong's portrait at Tiananmen Square in protest against China's government. In 2006 Lu Decheng, a refugee after many years in Chinese prison, was honored for his actions by Chinese dissident leaders in Washington, D.C.
"We celebrate the artistic protest of Lu Decheng and his companions," said CSN executive director Curry Kenworthy, "and we invite all to symbolically join in that protest by visiting this exhibit." Kenworthy started the project due to his admiration for the protest and its potential to inspire continued action and support for the democracy cause. "At first I imagined demonstrations where passersby could lob real eggs at a Mao portrait--and I hope that will be a feature at a future rally--but eventually settled on a virtual protest to allow anyone, anywhere, to get involved in the experience."
Flash artist Randall Bender brought the concept to life with expressive, energetic design as an application that runs in web browsers. No download is required. Visitors point and click to aim egg graphics at Mao's image, which hangs overhead. Sounds accompany the animation of eggs hitting the portrait, and cheers sometimes break out in response. A button is provided to clear away the ink and start over.
CSN's Taiwan director Paul Risenhoover commented, "Finally a fun and worthy e-game!" Founder John Patrick Kusumi also expressed his "kudos" for the exhibit.
Mao Zedong, China's first Communist dictator, has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the top mass murderer of all time, having caused the deaths of tens of millions of Chinese citizens as well as the suffering of countless more from hardships, starvation, lack of freedoms and life choices, public humiliation, broken families, campaigns turning citizens against each other, imprisonment, slave labor, violence, cruelty, and torture. His reforms also attacked Chinese culture, arts, education, science, and intellect.
The Egg Mao exhibit is available with introduction and directions in English and Chinese at these web addresses:
http://chinasupport.net/eggmao/
http://chinasupport.net/eggmao/chinese.htm
An animated banner is available for other web sites to use in linking to the exhibit.
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