ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 23 China has had a developing market economy since reforms led by Deng Xiaoping in 1978 following the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. There is a wide variety of individual color and style in women’s fashion. Clothing is plentiful and inexpensive. There are several trends in the city. Formal occasion dresses show up at all times of day in unlikely public places, made with sheer white flowing and layered…
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 16 It is called Forbidden City because it was forbidden to enter or leave without the emperor’s permission. It was the central seat of political and ceremonial power in China for 500 years, 1406—1912. The central axis is comprised of a series of throne rooms and vast courtyards. On either side are warrens of intimately scaled private rooms, kitchens, apartments, and chapels. Some halls are now museums containing extraordinary…
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 15 So far in photographs of Beijing I have minimized the presence of people at popular sites. That is not possible at the Palace Museum, commonly called Forbidden City. It is the first listing in every tourist guide book and travel website and always crowded. Beginning this month, the daily visitor count will be limited to 80,000 people per day. As many as 122,000 have crushed through on a…
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 4 On Saturday the Inside Out Art Museum academic director Liang Shuang and I attended openings in two art districts in northeast Beijing. We saw a wide spectrum of work in museums and galleries. I felt unbelievably lucky to meet so many people working in contemporary art. And it was inspiring to see the range of work and exhibition venues. ABOVE: Today Art Museum, Building no. 1 — towers…
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 3 The artist residency I am attending is located in the Haidian district of Beijing. The museum is across from a corporate office park on a short road that leads to a small village. People walk up and down the road to and from the village all day. to the village from the village village poultry shop catching a nap while reading and waiting for poultry customers courtyard with…
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 2 Today is my first day at the Inside Out Art Museum in Beijing, China. Travel and settling in was easy and identical to any international city. Everyone is patient with my lack of language skills. Written directions in Chinese, that I prepared in advance, are mandatory for taxis. At the end of a long process of arriving, it was a pleasure to encounter friends in the museum. ABOVE:…
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 1 The perennial question of what to pack for a month-long artist residency: how much paint and paper is enough, too much, or not enough. It is especially difficult with air travel and customs. Artist George Nick said, “Pack like Liz Taylor — bring everything.” Travel guru Rick Steves said, “Pack light — no one ever wishes their bags were heavier.” Seven days till departure, many choices. Don’t touch…