FCB Kinnect and vivo introduce [X-Lens], an exciting reality content venture on Disney + Hotstar, marking vivo India’s first foray into this domain. [X-Lens] is designed to elevate the [vivo X90 Series] as the ultimate device for ‘Extreme Expression’ in the premium phone category while fostering a passionate community of loyal photography enthusiasts who will evangelise the brand product.

The two-fold objective behind the campaign is to position the ‘vivo X90 Series’ at the forefront of the premium phone market, demonstrating its superior photographic capabilities, and to create a vibrant community of photography enthusiasts who would champion our brand. FCB Kinnect has conceptualised the campaign.

Hosted by the charismatic Keith Sequiera and featuring some of India’s top photography talent as judges, [X-Lens] follows a competitive reality show format where photography enthusiasts compete for the coveted title of [Vivographer]. The esteemed Vivographer will be a brand ambassador for vivo’s flagship devices, embodying the spirit of ‘Extreme Expression’ in their photographic endeavours.

Participants on [X-Lens] undergo a series of thrilling challenges, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and exploring the remarkable features of the vivo X90 Pro camera. Brave contestants venture into diverse and demanding conditions, aiming to capture the most exceptional photographs that exemplify ‘Extreme Imagination.’ As these skilled photographers embark on their journey, the vivo X90 Pro is a worthy partner, showcasing its prowess as a high-performance tool capable of capturing stunning imagery even under challenging circumstances.

Speaking on the campaign’s launch, Chandni Shah, COO of FCB Kinnect, said, ““X-Lens is vivo’s first foray into reality content and OTT content on Disney + Hotstar. When X-Lens was conceptualised, the intent was to showcase the incredible capability of the device and its ability to perform under extreme conditions. Packaged with a ‘reality show’ format that creates extreme viewability and resonance among our relevant audience, this exceptional partnership between FCB Kinnect and vivo has resulted in an enthralling reality show that delivers top-tier entertainment and beautifully showcases the true essence of the vivo X90 Series.”

Commenting on the unique campaign, Geetaj Channana, head, corporate strategy, vivo India said, “vivo’s X series has set new benchmarks when it comes to photography capability of a smartphone. All our X series smartphones launched so far received phenomenal response from consumers. Hence, we wanted to create something unique that showcased advance camera capabilities of X90 series under extreme conditions.

We are excited to collaborate with Disney + Hotstar for this captivating reality show format that creates extreme viewability and resonance among our relevant audience, and we are confident of strong audience interaction.”

Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen in collaboration with collector He Meng, presents an immersive Sky Art Photography Exhibition. From now until August 31, guests at the hotel’s Executive Lounge on 78th floor can enjoy a captivating showcase of He Meng’s collected works, featuring Western celebrity portraits by American photographer Joe Hahn, alongside Eastern celebrity portraits by renowned Hong Kong photographer Zhang Wenhua. The exhibition showcases the distinct styles and charms of contemporary Eastern and Western photography, complemented by the immersive experience of antique aesthetics.

The exhibition incorporates He Meng’s treasured European antique furniture, adding a visual artistry. Passionate about promoting art and culture, He Meng has collected numerous precious Eastern and Western artworks and antique furnitures over the years. The Italian antique furniture takes viewers on a unique visual feast, harmonizing with the photography’s play of light and shadow, creating unforgettable artistic experiences.

During the opening ceremony, the exhibition also features captivating jewelry reflections, jointly presented by Italian craftsmen and luxury jewelry brand POMELLATO, blending avant-garde modernism with exquisite collectible style, inspired by European art aesthetics, injecting charming collectible allure into the exhibition.

In addition to experiencing the exhibition’s unique charm, Executive Floor guests can enjoy exclusive Mandarin Oriental Club benefits, including personalized check-in and check-out at the exclusive counter, three complimentary laundry services daily, two hours of daily complimentary access to the Mandarin Oriental Club meeting room, and all-day continuous supply of coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks. For dining, the Mandarin Oriental Club offers a range of delectable breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktail services, providing guests with unforgettable and extraordinary moments during their stay.

[All images provided to That’s]

Charles Jin—a Shanghai native who now resides in Atlanta, Georgia—attributes his collecting journey to his formative years spent at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). That’s where, in 1992, he became the first Chinese MFA graduate in photography to matriculate through an American art school. He then ventured into entrepreneurship, founding a leading manufacturing company in Georgia, but soon returned to photography with a newfound passion for collecting the art form.

Jin’s collection focuses on individual photographers, particularly 20th-century masters such as Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind. He owns around 200 vintage photographs by Harry Callahan, comprising a significant portion of his collection. His fascination with photographic greats is deeply rooted at the MICA, where his mentor Jack Wilgus was a former student of Callahan’s, and another of his instructors, William Larson, had been a student of Siskind’s. The artistic legacy passed down through these influential mentors played a pivotal role in shaping Jin’s views on photography.

Jin’s enthusiasm for photography encompasses contemporary names as well, including Wolfgang Tillmans, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, and Barbara Kruger. Jin counts about 90 signed Robert Mapplethorpe works in his collection and he could be the world’s largest individual collector of Sally Mann, with a trove of approximately 80 pieces from her iconic “Immediate Family” series. The sheer size of his collection would suffice to give each artist a solo show, a testament to his dedication to the art form. 

Jin’s keen interest in photography extends beyond his private collection. In 2011, he began bringing a curator’s eye to his acquisitions, recombining the images to create thematic exhibitions such as “100 Vintage Prints” and “Sea Series,” captivating audiences across cities in China. In addition, Jin is now the owner of photo licensing company SIPA Press in France, the United States, and China.

We spoke with Charles Jin about his first purchase, the works he hopes to add to his collection this year, and his quest for promoting the art of photography.

Charles Jin walks through an exhibition of his collection called “Sea Series” at Sanya Contemporary Museum in Hainan, 2017. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

Tell us about the exhibitions you’ve curated. How do collecting and curating influence each other? 

I have found that there are a lot of connections among the photographs, so you can combine them naturally. I didn’t think too much about it at first, but in the end, it just became clear that a lot of it lends itself to a natural curatorial idea. I don’t have a huge amount of Cindy Sherman’s prints, only about 30 or so. As you know, all of her photos are self-portraits. You could curate a very good show with self-portraits as the subject matter.

There are some “close-ups”—that is, some masters took photos of hands, feet, and other parts of the human body, or even the back of the body, which can be curated to create a very good exhibition. There are also people who specialize in photographing mirrors, walls, tree roots, and so on, which can be singled out and combined to make a separate exhibition.

Your question is a good one, how does curatorial thinking influence my collection, and how does the collection react back to the curation? I think it only requires one condition, that you have a certain amount of collection—without quantity, it is impossible to have qualitative leaps, which bring endless possibilities.

Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d’hiver, Paris (1955). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”900″ height=”614″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-avedon-dovima1.jpg 900w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-avedon-dovima1-300×205.jpg 300w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-avedon-dovima1-50×34.jpg 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px”>

Charles Jin with Richard Avedon’s Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d’hiver, Paris (1955). Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What was your first purchase?

It started at the end of 2005 but was more formalized in 2006 with the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), where I bought about 30 prints—mainly by Harry Callahan, but also some Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind. The first one I remember was Harry Callahan’s silhouette of his wife, with the person in black and the background in white, and that was one of his masterpieces.

Charles Jin with a work by Harry Callahan. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What was your most recent purchase?

Huge works by Wolfgang Tillmans and Thomas Ruff, as well as works by Barbara Kruger and Cindy Sherman.

Tell us about a favorite work in your collection.

There are quite a few. Self-portrait with cigarette (1980) by Robert Mapplethorpe and Identical twins, Roselle, N.J. 1966 by Diane Arbus.

Which works or artists are you hoping to add to your collection this year?

It should be Cindy Sherman as well as Wolfgang Tillmans. They are the main direction of my collecting these days.

Pablo Picasso at La Californie, Cannes (1957). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”530″ height=”677″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-penn1.jpg 530w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-penn1-235×300.jpg 235w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-penn1-39×50.jpg 39w” sizes=”(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px”>

Charles Jin with Irving Penn’s Pablo Picasso at La Californie, Cannes (1957). Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What is the most valuable work of art that you own?

Many, such as the big three-meter wide Andreas Gursky, and a few vintage pieces including Edward Weston, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon. 

Children with Flowers (ca. 1950s). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”800″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-main1.jpg 800w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-main1-300×225.jpg 300w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-main1-50×38.jpg 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px”>

Charles Jin with Richard Avedon, Children with Flowers (ca. 1950s). Courtesy of Charles Jin.

Where do you buy art most frequently?

Mostly galleries like Hauser & Wirth, Pace, and Bruce Silverstein. For example, I recently bought a vintage Diane Arbus from a gallery.

Is there a work you regret purchasing?

No. Some of the work I bought has not been in very good condition, but I still want to keep them. I think it’s still not a bad decision.

Singapore II (1997) at left and Bangkok II (2011). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”1024″ height=”655″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-gursky1-1024×655.jpg 1024w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-gursky1-300×192.jpg 300w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-gursky1-50×32.jpg 50w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-gursky1.jpg 1250w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”>

Singapore II (1997), Bangkok II (2011), both by Andreas Gursky. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What work do you have hanging above your sofa? What about in your bathroom?

Actually, I do not have anything hanging on my sofa because my room is relatively big. And the bathroom, I don’t think so. I do not have anything in the bathroom because of the moisture. It’s going to harm the photograph.

What is the most impractical work of art you own?

Basically, I do not collect impractical work. When I was at school learning about the history of photography from 34 years ago, I knew exactly what I was looking for.

Charles Jin with a Chuck Close self-portrait. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What work do you wish you had bought when you had the chance?

There was a lot that I missed. I forgot to bid on some sophisticated work, sometimes at Artnet.

If you could steal one work of art without getting caught, what would it be?

I don’t want to steal anything. If I have the money, I buy it. If I don’t have the budget, I just appreciate the work.

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