Street photographer and blogger Sue Anne Tay pounds the pavements of Shanghai, threading her way through old alleys to capture some of this city's disappearing scenes. With her new project, "The Roving Exhibit," Sue Anne takes her artwork back on the streets to share them with the residents of some of Shanghai's older neighborhoods. Join us this Friday at twocities as Sue Anne shares about her experiences as a photographer and narrator of Shanghai's street stories.
How did you get into street photography?
Photography was and remains the easiest way to get acquainted with the city. The turning point for me was when I discovered the social dynamics and architectural beauty of longtangs, which truly defines the metropolitan area. Communicating this living history through a medium like street photography felt like the most natural thing in the world.
What do you look for when you are taking pictures?
It depends. Sometimes, situations prevail where you can easily thread a narrative in your head. You try to capture the context, the details and interaction between the subject(s) and the environment. Other times, I look for a unique composition and angle for the best aesthetic appeal.
What advice do you have for other photographers?
Three things. One is to put yourself out there and pound the pavements for a good tale to spin. From the everyday to the extraordinary, the city is just teeming with stories.
Second is to practice. As you spend more time with your camera, you become aware of your limitations and work to overcome them. You also start viewing the world through an imaginary viewfinder and the possibilities can be a great motivator.
Third is to learn from and share with others. I get inspired by the technique and works of other great photographers as well as writers. I try to share and comment on the works of my peers covering Shanghai in their own unique way and it can be both humbling and fruitful.
How do you contribute to building the "good city" in what you do?
If by "good city" you mean having a foot in both its history and the future, Shanghai doesn't quite yet have that balance. I like to think that what I do, along with many others who document Shanghai through photography, is to reflect society and the city in the most uncensored and honest way possible. It is the quotidian moments that reveal the most, and I hope people don't forget them.
If you could describe Shanghai in one word, what would it be and why?
Visceral. Think about how the locals have had to cope with the rapid pace of urbanization while thousands of migrants flood into the city carrying their hopes and dreams to make a better life. The whole city is like an urban jungle where everyone has to survive on instinct and intuition.
"twocities Conversations: Sue Anne Tay and the Roving Exhibit". Friday, June 17. Starts at 7:30 pm, in English.
Canadian erhu virtuoso Jeremy Moyer teams up with American pianist Steve Sweeting again for another creative session of "twocities in tune" this Friday. Skilled at several instruments, Jeremy shares his joy and passion with a smile and music - lots of music.
When did you first start playing music?
How did you get into playing erhu?
I loved listening to the people playing temple music in Taiwan (usually played on Kezi xuan "coconut shell fiddle") when I was first there in 1990 on an exchange. I took erhu lessons so I would have some technical background in order to learn songs by ear from folk musicians.
What do you love about what you do?
I love interacting with musicians from many different cultures and trying different instruments and styles. Music has always been the main way I connect with people and learn about other places and cultures. Playing music is joyful and rarely boring.
What inspires you in your music?
How do you contribute to building the "good city" in what you do?
I like to say "please" and "thank you" and, being from Canada, I smile a lot at complete strangers. Maybe by playing music we can give people opportunities to attend events that are positive and joyful. By being relaxed improvisers, we can break down the barrier of audience/performer and give more people a chance to participate in music-making.
If you could describe Shanghai in one word, what would it be and why?
"Changing" - it's hard to make a descriptive sentence about Shanghai because it probably won't be true anymore in a year.
Join Jeremy and Steve for "twocities in tune" this Friday as they collaborate with guest dancers and lead the audience through music-making, dancing and general merriment. 7:30 pm.
Tea culture is an integral part of Chinese culture: from the design and function of teapots to the tea ceremony itself, the whole art of tea carries nuances of hospitality and friendship and the very essence of the ‘Tao’. Teapots are not just centerpieces for décor; they are emblems of our humanity and represent our need for connection with the world around us and with one another.
From deconstructing a teapot’s parts to reconfiguring their forms, the young artists in this group show push the boundaries of traditional teapot design. Luan Jiaqi personifies her teapots with human body parts. American artist Dryden Wells redefines the teapot in terms of gestures rather than physicality. Zhao Lantao captures the inspiring beauty of the lotus, another symbol of Chinese culture, in his work.
The opening reception on May 21 will include a traditional tea ceremony, juxtaposing the history of tea with the modern interpretations in the exhibit.
“Tea Talk” will run until June 22.
茶文化是中国文化中不可或缺的一环，从茶壶的设计制作到茶道表演，茶艺承载着中国人的友好热情，更传承着老庄之道的精髓。茶壶不仅仅是桌上的摆件，更象征着我们的人文精神，代表着我们渴望与他人、与世界相连。
从解构到重组，年轻的艺术家们突破了传统茶壶的设计界限和创作定式。栾佳齐赋予茶壶拟人化的形象，将人体的一部分揉入其中。美国艺术家Dryden Wells打破茶壶的固有形状，用一种动态的方式来呈现他印象中的茶壶。赵兰涛则捕捉到莲花的美态，以夏末的花苞及秋末的莲实为茶壶的主要创作元素。
5月21日的开幕酒会上将有茶艺表演，传统的茶道和现代的诠释将在同一场展览中呈现。
“壶说”展期将到6月22日。
Dryden Wells. A Gesture To.
Shao Changzong. Begin.
Wang Ying. Sacrifice - 1.
Bi Liwei. Image.
Raised by parents who were both pianists, Burnett Thompson's passion for music was ignited at an early age. Burnett is back in Shanghai this week for the premiere of "The Sonnet Song Cycle" in Chinese, collaborating with top-notch musicians and prepared for the unexpected.
How did you get into playing piano?
My mother and father both play the piano. My mother is very disciplined, reads music quite well, and as my first teacher, was quite diligent in finding me the best teacher. My father played jazz arrangements by ear, could not read music, and is very relaxed about music. So I guess I am a combination of the two. My mother was pretty "Chinese mom" about my practicing, since I hated to practice and wanted to quit every day.
How did ‘The Sonnet Song Cycle’ project come about?
It was born as part of a series of silent movies that I assembled music for in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress, the Shakespeare Theatre, Freer Gallery, Goethe Institute, in Washington, DC. Eventually we were doing silent movies based on the Shakespeare plays, which led to including the Sonnets as part of the program. I have always been intrigued by the dark and conflicted content of the Sonnets, and was at first accompanying readings of the poems. Naturally, it occurred to me to do a song cycle. The idea of translating to Chinese came to me at the same time that I thought the best place in the world to perform the cycle in Mandarin would be twocities gallery. I would like to give better reasons, but honestly these ideas just popped into my head. Next stop will be Granada, Spain, with a new Spanish translation.
What do you love about what you do?
I love to perform. I love to teach. I love meeting new people. I love introducing people to the amazing, complex qualities of music and learning. This means that I am always around extraordinary people, and several of them will be performing with me at twocities. On stage, you never know what is going to happen. Prepare, plan, prepare - but in an improvisational environment; it will all be new. Thus everybody onstage and in the audience will be transformed in ways that we simply cannot plan. This is a principal reason why I and many others delve into the performing arts.
How do you contribute to building the “good city” in what you do?
I have always made it a habit to surround myself with people more talented than I am. The engine of the city enables us all to develop partnerships that make the sum vastly superior to the parts. While waiting to achieve our own goals, it is very invigorating to help others achieve their goals. In fact, this is now my favorite activity, especially when it comes to emerging performers. Enormously gifted artists also have enormous needs to make sure that their voices are properly conveyed to the world. I thrive on helping talented people move on to the next level.
If you could describe Shanghai in one word, what would it be? Why?
Urgency. Things happen fast in China, and in Shanghai, the Chinese concept of urgency infects everybody in the international community. I always feel like I am going to get things done in Shanghai. Quickly.
"The Sonnet Song Cycle" will be performed this Friday at twocities. Doors close promptly at 7:30 pm; no RSVP required.
From composing songs to teaching at fiddle camps, fun-loving fiddler Hanneke Cassel loves what she does. On her seventh trip to Shanghai, she returns to twocities for another performance of her unique blend of folk and pop music.
How did you get into playing fiddle music?
I started with classical violin when I was 8. A couple years later we saw an ad on television for an old-time fiddle contest, I learned 6 tunes, went to it, competed, and came in 2nd to last! At the contest, I met a woman who became my fiddle teacher when my classical teacher moved away. She got me into Scottish music and a few years later I had the opportunity to travel to Scotland for a music course. After that I was completely hooked on the fiddle. :)
Who are some of your main music influences?
My main influences are fiddlers Alasdair Fraser (Scotland) and Buddy and Natalie MacMaster (Cape Breton). And then... U2.
What do you love about what you do?
I really love to perform.... to share and interact with the audience. I feel fortunate that I can spend time composing music and practicing, and that this is part of my job. AND I love meeting new people/ traveling to new places.
How do you contribute to building the “good city” in what you do?
I have grown up in the 'fiddle camp' scene... a place (many places!) that encourages and inspires community and artistic interaction. I love passing on this idea to others... students, audiences, fellow musicians. Humans love to create and enjoy art/music. It is good for our souls, and ultimately for our community and surroundings.... and our city.
If you could describe Shanghai in one word, what would it be? Why?
Chaotically beautiful. (Are two words ok?) The colors, sounds, people in this TOWN are very in-your-face. At times this is overwhelming, but mostly I find it inspiring and energizing. I think there is a great creative spirit in Shanghai and I love coming here every year.
Hanneke performs with mandolin player Tom Pang and pianist Steve Sweeting on Friday. Doors close promptly at 7:30 pm. No reservations required.
The twocities gallery is proud to present "Foundation: Dis-Functional", a group exhibition featuring Chinese avant-garde craft art. Focusing on the conceptual as opposed to utility, this show features 12 Chinese artists who are on the cutting edge of Chinese contemporary craft art.
“Dis-Functional” follows on the heels of “Functional”, a group show that featured craft art intended for daily use. In “Dis-Functional”, the same age-old techniques and materials are used to create craft work that not only inspires but provokes thoughtfulness. Ceramic artist Wan Liya’s scrolls break up the traditional composition of water and mountains into a composite of images painted onto round plates. Artist Kang Qing’s “Midnight Ballet” installation is both whimsical and critical, taking symbols of pleasure to question the actual meaning of these images and provide commentary on popular culture.
At the opening reception on March 26, an artists’ salon featuring some of the exhibiting artists will run from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Ceramic artist Chen Guanghui, glass artist Xiao Tai and lacquer artist Jin Hui will present on their work and process, sharing about the role and significance of contemporary craft art in China.
Opening reception: Saturday, March 26, 4:00 to 6:00 pm
双城现代手工艺术馆将带来"五元素：非器"，不同于以往的实用性，本次展览旨在推介概念艺术，展出12位中国的前卫手工艺术家的作品。
" 非器"与上一个展览"器"乃一个主题两个方式不同的呈现。在"器"展览中展出的艺术家或设计师们手工制作的可以日用的手工器皿，而"非器"中的作品虽然也 使用相同的材料和工艺，但这些作品完全颠覆了实用性及功能性，通过人们熟悉的材料、器型等进一步挑战及重新审视传统审美及对"器"的定义。陶艺家万里雅 的"山水图"打破了传统水墨卷轴式的呈现方式，将解构的山水画在陶瓷盘上，重构成画卷。康青的"午夜芭蕾"则巧妙地借用具象的符号来质疑当下盛行的享乐主 义文化。
3月26日下午5点到6点的展览开幕式上将有小型的艺术沙龙，部分参展艺术家将出席，陶艺家陈光辉、漆艺家金晖和玻璃艺术家萧泰将就各自的作品和创作方式进行简短的演讲，共同探讨中国当代手工艺术的地位和意义。
开幕酒会：2011年3月26日，周六
下午4点至6点
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