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Terraced fields in China with a row of buildings visible in the background. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

This week, we feature a collection of photo slides taken and collected by Janet Zobel during her trip to the Peoples Republic of China in 1975. This collection of items was donated in her memory by Mr. Ben Pocock, a relative of Ms. Zobel.

In 1975, just three years after President Nixon’s historic visit to China, there would be sponsored group trips available for qualified U.S. citizens. Most Americans during this period would have to go through these sponsored group tours rather than apply directly since visas are rarely granted to single individuals. These sponsored trips are often run by organizations that are sympathetic to China and would focus on a particular subject matter, such as education, arts, etc.

One such sponsored trip was provided by an NYC-based newspaper known as The Guardian Radical Newsweekly, which was later known simply as The Guardian. During the 70s, the newspaper was known for favoring Marxist-Leninist ideologies and Maoist New Communist Movements, which may explain their ability to set up sponsored trips into mainland China.

An application was required to join such sponsored trips, and Janet had applied as an educator and labor and civil rights activist interested in learning about the development of China’s economic system. She along with a cohort of like-minded educators and unionists would be permitted to travel to China and visit designated landmarks, factories, military bases, schools, and Chinese communes (rural organizations and/or agricultural collectives).

Specific destinations included historical cities such as Peking (Beijing), Chengchow (Zhengzhou), Loyang (Luoyang), and Sian (Xi’an). Based on the records of the collection, there is a myriad of shots ranging from tombs to factory floors to school classrooms. Janet would later transform the photographs she took in China to create slides for presentations throughout the course of her lifelong career as an activist and speaker.

An essay written by Janet Zobel following her trip to China. She shares her observations of women workers and their opportunities for equal pay across various job fields in the country. Essay written by Janet Zobe, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

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The Janet Zobel collection features over 1000 35mm photo slides of scenes from 70s China. They provide a glimpse of life in China during the 70s through the lens of an American visitor touring predetermined locations throughout the rapidly growing country. Below you can take a look at the slides already scanned from box 1 of her collection.

A news board with a title on the top: “Supervise the study of proletarian theory and promote education revolution”, in Zhengzhou University. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Students playing tug of war with adults supervising. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Students inspecting and working on materials, possibly mechanical parts. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Dining room with portrait of Mao Zedong sitting on a rock looking into the distance. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Two children walking along a paved road in rural China. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Two men standing in front of a bulletin looking at photographs. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Two columns of small beds with neatly folded sheets, towels, and pillows, probably in a kindergarten. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Teacher in front of a classroom, presenting a graph. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Men sitting around a small table eating and drinking tea. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

A moon gate courtyard with a sign on the top “Zhou Shan Cui Xiu”, which means beautiful green trees in the Zhou Mountain Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Woman at a chemistry table handling test tubes on a rack. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

A Chinese farmer working in a field, possibly in a commune. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Tour group sitting down for tea, possibly the same group that joined Janet on her trip to China. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Men working with bricks and mortar and creating walls in a rural location in China. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

A few dozen rice wine jugs lined up with people working in the background. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Terraced fields in China with a row of buildings visible in the background. Image taken by Janet Zobel, courtesy of Ben Pocock, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.

Acquisitions Highlights May 2022

2020.012.001 Night Baseball Buck Lai's Hawaiians Chinese-Japanese Baseball Club. Courtesy of Roy Delbyck, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection.