Building the Good City

Insight: Hanneke Cassel

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.

Reading roundup: Week ending April 2

Art, healing, community and love. This week's read-worthy links.

ARTINFO: After Fukushima: How Art Can Again Help Japan Find Its Way - "The most important role of the artist in society is not about building infrastructure, but about promoting ideals that open up new perspectives." Japanese Curator Shinya Watanabe writes about art's healing potential in Japan.

LA Times: Arts Bloom Anew in Leimert Park - Art walk reviving this historical enclave of black culture and arts.

NY Times: Eccentricity Gives Way to Uniformity in Museums - Are museums losing their personalities in the process of modernization?

Art Daily: Last John Keats Love Letter in Private Hands for Sale - The last of John Keats' love letters to Fanny in private hands up for sale. Love lives on in memory and auctions.

Dis-Functional craft art

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