Scatter the old world, build a new world

打碎旧世界创立新世界)
Dasui jiu shijie, chuangli xin shijie
Scatter the old world, build a new world
1967, April
Renmin meishu chubanshe (人民美术出版社) Beijing
37x26 cm.
BG D29/184

A Red Guard at work, smashing books, religious sculptures and other items considered as the 'Four Olds' (四旧). In the background groups of Red Guards storm buildings and take down signboards. During the most violent phase of the Cultural Revolution, property of 'rightists' and anything considered old, bourgeois, decadent or connected with religion is literally smashed to pieces wholesale.