Blizzard is a photobook by Dongchen Hao, documenting his five-year experience living in Baltimore, USA. As a young person who left China at the age of 16 to study abroad, Dongchen’s work reflects his journey of loneliness, confusion, and self-discovery in a foreign land. Through his lens, the book explores profound themes of cultural collision, identity, and spiritual exploration.

The book is divided into three chapters: FREY, MOER, and HOPE (Free, More, Hope), named after three individuals who had a significant impact on his university life. The visual language of the work presents fragments of everyday life, not only as personal memories but also as a reflection of his complex relationships with his environment and the people around him. The images depict scenes that are rich in humanity and emotional depth, revealing the challenges and emotional shifts he experienced in Baltimore.

Blizzard is not just a reflection of personal emotions and growth, but also a profound meditation on globalization and cross-cultural living. It challenges traditional documentary photography styles through its visual language, emphasizing the complexity of an individual’s loneliness and emotions within a multicultural context. For viewers, the book is not only Dongchen’s personal journey but also a resonant piece for anyone who has experienced cultural shock and self-doubt in a foreign land.