Dr Liu, Chun-Xiang
The next day I had an appointment with Dr Liu, Chun-XIang, a colleague of Prof Liang, Ai-Ping’s. She is a cricket expert and listened to a number of my cricket recordings. Both she and Ai-Ping were reluctant to identifiy the creatures just by their singing, which is an interesting point. She has asked for an audio cd of them to take to some other colleagues to verify. I think this reluctance illustrates the absolute accuracy that scientists demand, and also, surprisingly perhaps, a comparative lack of interest in the songs these insects make. I am assuming that every species has a distinct song of course.
Like Ai-Ping, she was lovely to talk to and very generous with her time. She was very pleased I was so interested in her specialist area. She showed me photographs of a recent field trip she made to the western China – Xinjiang province. This is high land, 4000 metres above sea level, and she was exploring the Nalati grassland. The local people live in what look like yurts, those lovely circular structures, and Chun-Xiang stayed in one herself. She collects insects at night by suspending a large light from a free-standing ladder, and hanging a white sheet nearby. The insects are attracted to the light and tend to land on the white sheet. This is how she collects specimens for identification. During this trip she thinks she has found at least 4 new species.
Shilihe Market
Returned to Shilihe for the insects again during Thursday afternoon. I thought the warmer time of day would bring more insect sellers and more singing from the insects – and yes, indeed it was the case. Sellers brought some huge bundles of cages of the guoguo’er [which is definitely the katydid Gampsocleis gratiosa, as confirmed by a cricket expert from the Institute of Zoology, Dr Liu Chun-Xiang, the next day]. The singing was deafening – an amazing sound – really too loud to do a decent recording. Though it is an incredible experience, it is better to record just a few, or one, insect at a time. My equipment could not effectively capture the surround sound or top volume nature of the experience. As you stand surrounded by the singing the experience becomes a physical vibration as your body resonates to the sound waves. Not unlike the experience beside one of the huge dub sound systems during the Notting Hill Carnival, where the sound is felt as much as heard. The insects are much higher in pitch though, with no bass element. I find it constantly surprising that such small creatures can produce such a loud sound – and these aren’t even cicadas, which are the loudest of all insects.
Tourist Art
Have been having a few discussions about tourist art. As an artist visiting another country/culture it is very easy to fall into the trap of producing tourist art. The overwhelming experience can tempt you in this direction, but it is important to keep these responses private not public! I have seen this kind of work shown in galleries several times [not only in China but Australia as well] and it is very bland and superficial for local populations. While responding to the experience is important, having a solid direction and intent assists with avoiding this pitfall! [With any luck I am avoiding it myself…]
And
The ingenuity evident on every street corner is great. People adapt their vehicles [bicycles, beng beng, motorbikes etc] to the job required. The sense of community in Tuanjiehu Park continues to entice me to visit most warm evenings. Never have I experienced such a gentle and unthreatening feeling amongst so many people crowded into one place – it is lovely and addictive.
Self-seeding plants
Have been doing some rough graphite rubbings of self-seeded plants in and around Beijing. It would be good to get some of these identified – some are offspring of huge ancient trees, while some are seeds on the wind landing and putting down roots where possible. It is quite likely many of these plants are classified as weeds here in Beijing, but one person’s weed is another person’s exotic plant. These plants will be fairly speedily removed during the vigorous sweeping that takes place across Beijing on a regular basis. These plants are another example of R-select species – R for Rapid. These species – animal, bacteria or plant – experience rapid growth, fast reproduction, short life, and tend to be undervalued by humans. The insects I have been looking at are also R-select species.
I have learnt the value the Chinese place on luck and numbers/numerology at a basic level. I bought a SIM card the other day for 180 yuan, but it only had 50 yuan credit on it. I asked Kelly why, and she said I had chosen some very lucky numbers, which were 8696. So, I certainly learnt something there!
I am looking into the possibilities of exhibiting here. The reality of managing this before I leave is of course rather slim, but you never know. China Platform and the Long March seem to have spaces for experimental projects, so they could be an option.
I am now waiting for a call from my mother in London. We are 8 hours ahead in Beijing. I have not sorted out the phone card for international landline calls yet, so I wait at this end. As I wrote to my sister a few weeks ago, I have found it remarkably easy to settle in here. I have been planning this for some years and I suppose that makes a difference. Also the home sickness thing – well I often get that in Melbourne for London still, it does not get easier the longer I am in Melbourne, so I am no stranger to it. But here in Beijing, it sorts of breaks up the dual thing between London and Melbourne and seems easier in some ways…a neutral space you might say. Nice!
