'How much time reality gives a dream' or 'how much time does reality allow a dream?' is a new photography series by Fan Shunzan, who has presented this work at the Pingyao International Photography Festival (平遥摄影节) this year. All photographs apply a similar format: shooting Chinese people, mostly of lower classes, next of a background that represents their aspiration, while the ground is the less inspiring reality of their daily lives.

Looking at the pictures brings about some sarcastic and pessimistic flavors. At first, viewers notice the colorful promising background, sensing that the subject fits his or her character. But then, through the 'ground level' and the attached information given, it is understood how distant the 'dream' actually is. From a less cynical perspective, we may acknowledge the open dreamful heart of the photos' protagonists. The individuals accept the clash between the desired and the real identities with hopes and smiles, in addition to inevitable remorse.

As it can be seen, some dreams have to do with 'elevating' to a higher class and quality of life, while others are more modest and refer to visiting a place and enjoying a different experience, even if for a short instance:

A construction worker thinking about a white-collar life in one of the buildings he might have assisted to build

A modest toy vendor wants to take her kid for a trip to Shanghai

A rural couple wants to see Tian'anmen square before they depart from this world

A peasant couple is dreaming about a romantic European-style wedding

A housewife just wants to lose some weights and enjoy a relaxed day on the beach

A young disabled man wishes to win gold in the Olympics/Paralympics championship