Shanzhai: Deconstruction in Chinese

Synopsis

Tracing the thread of "decreation" in chinese thought, from constantly changing classical masterpieces to fake cell phones that are better than the original. Shanzhai is a chinese neologism that means "fake, " originally coined to describe knock-off cell phones marketed under such names as nokir and samsing. These cell phones were not crude forgeries but multifunctional, stylish, and as good as or better than the originals. Shanzhai has since spread into other parts of chinese life, with shanzhai books, shanzhai politicians, shanzhai stars.