Cryptic Chronicler of the New China

Lost in time: No Snow on the Broken Bridge by Yang Fudong, 2006

Cryptic Chronicler of the New China

By BLAKE GOPNIK
Yang Fudong’s elliptical films seem to parallel the disjointed state of his country, China.

Take Five Dave Brubeck, may you rest in peace…

Dave Brubeck, the U.S. pianist and composer whose quartet produced the first jazz album that sold more than 1 million copies and was best known for the melodic composition “Take Five,” has died. He was 91.

Mr. Brubeck once explained succinctly what jazz meant to him. “One of the reasons I believe in jazz,” he said, “is that the oneness of man can come through the rhythm of your heart. It’s the same anyplace in the world, that heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear when you’re born — or before you’re born — and it’s the last thing you hear.” (from today's NYT)

see cool video of Take Five here

Palestinian Cultural Exhibition November 26-29 at Bayt Lothan

	Bayt Lothan
	Arts & Crafts Centre
	P.O.Box 386 Salmiya
	22004 Kuwait
	Tel: (+965) 25755877/66
	Fax: (+965) 25727388
	www.baytlothan.org
	info@baytlothan.org

Korea: some of the best food in the world?

First meal in Korea - Haejangguk or "hangover soup," a coke, and kimchi.

Second night - Udon noodles, tea, Korean "sushi" rolls, and kimchi.

Third night - Samgyupsal or Korean pork BBQ, a beer, and of course more kimchi.

The food has been the best part of Korea so far.  Since I have recently been called a bon vivant, I think I can have something to say about good cuisine around the world.  If you asked me a few years ago what are the best destinations that I have been to for good food and drink, my list would be something like:

1. Taiwan
2. Italy
3. Spain
4. Singapore
5. China (would be higher on this list but NOT with all of the food contamination stories)

...but now I would put Korea right up there at number 3 or 4.  I still will be in Korea for almost two more months so let's see what happens...

I am in South Korea doing an artist residency at  Mite Ugro ZaZa. Besides producing an exhibit of new artwork, I will be assisting a friend and former student, Jonah Whipp, create a film. Please pledge to help produce this unique film that could potentially launch our creative careers! Any amount small or big will help and there are rewards for donating too including a Zine, DVD of the final film, and one-of-a-kind artwork by ME! Click on the links for more info:

역 Yeok ( The Station)

www.kickstarter.com

역Yeok is a remake of Chris Marker's La Jetee. Set in Korea, it tells the story of a post-nuclear war experiment.

Another Tibetan monk dies in anti-Chinese protest, hundreds detained...

Another Tibetan monk, Tamchoe Sangpo, dies in anti-Chinese protest  - Reuters/Carlos Barria

China: A Ranking Monk’s Protest Suicide

By IAN JOHNSON (NYT)

A Tibetan monk died after setting fire to himself Friday, another sign of the trouble in China’s western border region.  

China Detains Tibetans After Trip to India, Rights Group Says

By REUTERS (NYT)

Several hundred Tibetans who had attended teaching sessions overseen by the Dalai Lama were being forced to undergo political re-education, Human Rights Watch said.

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE EVERYONE!

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE EVERYONE!

Japanese Sun goddess Amaterasu emerging from a cave.

Chinese Contemporary Art in the Middle East!

One of my favorite artists now has a solo show up in Qatar!  I believe Doha's Mathaf, the Arab Museum of Modern Art, is really smart in bringing in a big name artist from outside the region, but also just as importantly, not the typical Western artist.   I like Cai Guo-Qiang because he consistently comes up with  thoughtful but unconventional ways to talk about his own heritage as well as historical and contemporary global trade and exchange.  His artwork is smart but fun and easily appreciated by a larger audience.  I hope to go soon!

Pictured above: Installation view of Fragile (2011), Gunpowder on 480 panels of porcelain, 318 x 1800 cm (125 3/16 x 708 11/16 in.) overall, approximately 30 x 39.75 cm (11 13/16 x 15 5/8 in.) each panel, 480 panels in total, Commissioned by Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Photo by Hiro Ihara, Courtesy Cai Studio

Link to Cai Guo-Qiang's Exhibit in Doha

And from Art Kuwait: 

www.artkuwait.org

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Qatar – Exhibition of Cai Guo-Qiang

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art presents Cai Guo-Qiang: Saraab, a major exhibition featuring newly commissioned work by Cai Guo-Qiang. As Cai’s first solo exhibition in the Middle East and the first single-artist exhibition presented by Mathaf, Saraab opens new...

Cultural Exchange Offers Respite in U.S.-China Tensions

Why are there not more programs like this?

Cultural Exchange Offers Respite in U.S.-China Tensions

www.nytimes.com

The success of the U.S.-China Forum on the Arts and Culture raises an uncomfortable question for the United States: Why are there not more programs like it?