Damian M
@damiandamiani.bsky.social
Postdoc at @uniheidelberg.bsky.social #ChinaComx working on politics in/of Chinese comics after 1949 | PhD @uni-freiburg.de on political study practices in China (1950s-80s) | researching intersections of state socialism, visual culture, and everyday life
Added another 80 images over the last two days, bringing the total collection to 385 historical photographs of all kinds of reading acts in twentieth-century China: chinareading.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Added another 80 images over the last two days, bringing the total collection to 385 historical photographs of all kinds of reading acts in twentieth-century China: chinareading.wordpress.com
Just added 50 new photos to my visual repository of reading acts in China, chinareading.wordpress.com -- too many great images to repost here, but these are the four that stood out for me. Go visit the website and browse the 300+ historical photographs of people reading in China!
October 27, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Just added 50 new photos to my visual repository of reading acts in China, chinareading.wordpress.com -- too many great images to repost here, but these are the four that stood out for me. Go visit the website and browse the 300+ historical photographs of people reading in China!
Reposted by Damian M
September 15, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Traveling to the UK today for the
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
September 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Traveling to the UK today for the
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
Reposted by Damian M
Wikipedia editors trying to fend off the onslaught of AI crap have crowdsourced some telltale signs of LLM-generated writing; it might be handy for editors and proofreaders generally. Thanks to @ellenrykers.com for pointing me to it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...
Wikipedia:Signs of AI writing - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
August 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Wikipedia editors trying to fend off the onslaught of AI crap have crowdsourced some telltale signs of LLM-generated writing; it might be handy for editors and proofreaders generally. Thanks to @ellenrykers.com for pointing me to it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...
Reposted by Damian M
Today, Xueting's Sunday Culture takes a look at the Chinese artist known as 海豹王XX, or Wang XX, whose comics feature a loveable aquatic alter ego and their tiny octopus friend, exploring the trials and tribulations of everyday life in contemporary China (brace yourselves for those bad puns). 1/
August 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Today, Xueting's Sunday Culture takes a look at the Chinese artist known as 海豹王XX, or Wang XX, whose comics feature a loveable aquatic alter ego and their tiny octopus friend, exploring the trials and tribulations of everyday life in contemporary China (brace yourselves for those bad puns). 1/
Reposted by Damian M
I saw today the dramatic effects of global heating up close. This is the Bonhus glacier in SW Norway, the photo on the left is from 1890. Like all glaciers in Norway it is shrinking rapidly.
August 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I saw today the dramatic effects of global heating up close. This is the Bonhus glacier in SW Norway, the photo on the left is from 1890. Like all glaciers in Norway it is shrinking rapidly.
I had the great pleasure of reading and reviewing Daisy Yan Du’s fascinating explorations in the (pre)history of Chinese animation. A wide ranging study covering puppet animation in the 1930s, ink painting attempts of the 1960s, and their various global afterlives in the 1970s, highly recommended!
In his review of Animated Encounters: Transnational Movements of Chinese Animation by Daisy Yan Du, @damiandamiani.bsky.social examines Du’s claim that Chinese animation was "international before it became national." Read his post at bit.ly/4fBkaM3.
August 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I had the great pleasure of reading and reviewing Daisy Yan Du’s fascinating explorations in the (pre)history of Chinese animation. A wide ranging study covering puppet animation in the 1930s, ink painting attempts of the 1960s, and their various global afterlives in the 1970s, highly recommended!
Reposted by Damian M
In his review of Animated Encounters: Transnational Movements of Chinese Animation by Daisy Yan Du, @damiandamiani.bsky.social examines Du’s claim that Chinese animation was "international before it became national." Read his post at bit.ly/4fBkaM3.
August 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
In his review of Animated Encounters: Transnational Movements of Chinese Animation by Daisy Yan Du, @damiandamiani.bsky.social examines Du’s claim that Chinese animation was "international before it became national." Read his post at bit.ly/4fBkaM3.
Another exciting week at #ChinaComx! On Tuesday, July 22, we host a workshop with the “Caricature as a Sphere of Communication in the Ottoman Context” project (caricatures.hypotheses.org/499) — and welcome a new visiting scholar, Ivan Gomes, for a keynote on Brazilian caricatures of post-Mao China 🎭
July 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Another exciting week at #ChinaComx! On Tuesday, July 22, we host a workshop with the “Caricature as a Sphere of Communication in the Ottoman Context” project (caricatures.hypotheses.org/499) — and welcome a new visiting scholar, Ivan Gomes, for a keynote on Brazilian caricatures of post-Mao China 🎭
Ahoj from Prague where I am participating in the “Transformations of Cultural Life from Mao to Xi” conference at @charlesuni.cuni.cz.
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
June 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Ahoj from Prague where I am participating in the “Transformations of Cultural Life from Mao to Xi” conference at @charlesuni.cuni.cz.
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
Reposted by Damian M
Celebrations and marches welcoming the Chinese delegation to Dresden in June 1951, notice the crowds holding Mao portraits next to Wilhelm Pieck (GDR president); a still heavily destroyed Theaterplatz visible in the background. Photos by Erich Höhne und Erich Pohl, via Deutsche Fotothek.
June 16, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Celebrations and marches welcoming the Chinese delegation to Dresden in June 1951, notice the crowds holding Mao portraits next to Wilhelm Pieck (GDR president); a still heavily destroyed Theaterplatz visible in the background. Photos by Erich Höhne und Erich Pohl, via Deutsche Fotothek.
Reposted by Damian M
This is a map of Los Angeles. The arrow points to a red dot. That red dot (roughly) represents the protest area seen on TV.
To me, the gross mischaracterization of what’s happening in Los Angeles looks like an excuse to deploy the military—to protect government assets like ICE.
To me, the gross mischaracterization of what’s happening in Los Angeles looks like an excuse to deploy the military—to protect government assets like ICE.
June 11, 2025 at 7:53 AM
This is a map of Los Angeles. The arrow points to a red dot. That red dot (roughly) represents the protest area seen on TV.
To me, the gross mischaracterization of what’s happening in Los Angeles looks like an excuse to deploy the military—to protect government assets like ICE.
To me, the gross mischaracterization of what’s happening in Los Angeles looks like an excuse to deploy the military—to protect government assets like ICE.
Mao Zedong in 1956: "Er [i.e., Mao] fragt nach der Sozialdemokratischen Partei (SPD) und bemerkt, dass man sie unterstützen müsse, er hielte ihren Sieg für richtig." (im Gespräch mit G. Weisenborn)
hasp.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/journals/cha...
hasp.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/journals/cha...
Mao wünschte Wahlsieg der SPD und freie Einreisemöglichkeit für westdeutsche Intellektuelle: Gespräch mit dem westdeutschen Schriftsteller Günther Weisenborn (11. November 1956)
| China aktu...
hasp.ub.uni-heidelberg.de
June 8, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Mao Zedong in 1956: "Er [i.e., Mao] fragt nach der Sozialdemokratischen Partei (SPD) und bemerkt, dass man sie unterstützen müsse, er hielte ihren Sieg für richtig." (im Gespräch mit G. Weisenborn)
hasp.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/journals/cha...
hasp.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/journals/cha...
Reposted by Damian M
Polanyi on the rise of fascism:
"the victory of fascism was made practically unavoidable by the liberals' obstruction of any reform involving planning, regulation, or control."
"the victory of fascism was made practically unavoidable by the liberals' obstruction of any reform involving planning, regulation, or control."
May 27, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Polanyi on the rise of fascism:
"the victory of fascism was made practically unavoidable by the liberals' obstruction of any reform involving planning, regulation, or control."
"the victory of fascism was made practically unavoidable by the liberals' obstruction of any reform involving planning, regulation, or control."
Many thanks again to Laura de Giorgi and Dayton Lekner for organizing and including me in their workshop! I’ve learned a lot about the sound(s), noise(s) & silence(s) of history and how to extract them, and the venue was—most probably—among the most stunning conference location I’ll ever witness.
May 26, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Many thanks again to Laura de Giorgi and Dayton Lekner for organizing and including me in their workshop! I’ve learned a lot about the sound(s), noise(s) & silence(s) of history and how to extract them, and the venue was—most probably—among the most stunning conference location I’ll ever witness.
Reposted by Damian M
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK was released on this day 45 years ago
May 21, 2025 at 9:06 AM
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK was released on this day 45 years ago
On my way to Venice for the “Sonic Histories of East Asia: Thinking History Through Sound” conference at Ca’ Foscari — I will humbly join a splendid line up of speakers to present on the various sounds of collective reading activities in the PRC. Come say hello if you’re around!
May 14, 2025 at 10:46 AM
On my way to Venice for the “Sonic Histories of East Asia: Thinking History Through Sound” conference at Ca’ Foscari — I will humbly join a splendid line up of speakers to present on the various sounds of collective reading activities in the PRC. Come say hello if you’re around!
May the fourth be with you!
Short thread on the very first official Chinese Star Wars comic ⤵️ #ChineseStarWars #StarWars #lianhuanhua
In 1981, the Chinese science-fiction monthly 奥秘 (Aomi) featured Russ Manning’s first run of Star Wars comic strips. Collected and re-arranged to fit a fullpage format, the comics remained virtually identical to their American original—if not for one key difference. Let’s look at one exemplary strip.
May 4, 2025 at 6:36 AM
May the fourth be with you!
Reposted by Damian M
La envidia que me ha provocado saber del taller de #連環畫 lianhuanhua que el doctor @damiandamiani.bsky.social del Centro de Estudios Asiáticos y Transculturales de la Universidad de Heidelberg llevó a cabo la semana pasada me ha hecho bajar al trastero de casa de mis padres a rescatar este tesoro.
April 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
La envidia que me ha provocado saber del taller de #連環畫 lianhuanhua que el doctor @damiandamiani.bsky.social del Centro de Estudios Asiáticos y Transculturales de la Universidad de Heidelberg llevó a cabo la semana pasada me ha hecho bajar al trastero de casa de mis padres a rescatar este tesoro.
The first #ChinaComx workshop last week was a great success! Engaged discussions, provocative questions, fun talks, and overall a greatly inspiring two-and-half days of engaging with lianhuanhua and other Chinese comics. Thanks to all participants for taking their time!
April 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The first #ChinaComx workshop last week was a great success! Engaged discussions, provocative questions, fun talks, and overall a greatly inspiring two-and-half days of engaging with lianhuanhua and other Chinese comics. Thanks to all participants for taking their time!
In just over a week, we invite all scholars and students of Chinese comics to Heidelberg for our first #ChinaComx workshop! Revolving around the theme "Lianhuanhua as Method", expect lively discussions and fascinating case studies. For the program and details, go to: tinyurl.com/LianhuanhuaA... 🌟
April 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM
In just over a week, we invite all scholars and students of Chinese comics to Heidelberg for our first #ChinaComx workshop! Revolving around the theme "Lianhuanhua as Method", expect lively discussions and fascinating case studies. For the program and details, go to: tinyurl.com/LianhuanhuaA... 🌟
New! 💥 We just added a first version of THE CHINACOMX LIANHUANHUA BIBLIOGRAPHY! 📚 Collecting over 250 items in Chinese, English, Japanese and more, it is an invitation to explore Chinese comics' scholarship. Your comprehensive guide to all things #lianhuanhua is here: chinacomx.github.io/resources/
April 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
New! 💥 We just added a first version of THE CHINACOMX LIANHUANHUA BIBLIOGRAPHY! 📚 Collecting over 250 items in Chinese, English, Japanese and more, it is an invitation to explore Chinese comics' scholarship. Your comprehensive guide to all things #lianhuanhua is here: chinacomx.github.io/resources/
Our research project #ChinaComx had the opportunity to once again spend a few fruitful days browsing the largely untapped lianhuanhua collection at the Berlin State Library. New gems discovered, including a multi-volume series of weiqi (go) manuals in comics form. Thanks @stabiberlin.bsky.social!
April 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Our research project #ChinaComx had the opportunity to once again spend a few fruitful days browsing the largely untapped lianhuanhua collection at the Berlin State Library. New gems discovered, including a multi-volume series of weiqi (go) manuals in comics form. Thanks @stabiberlin.bsky.social!