Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, China

On Thursday the 9th did a huge explore on foot and found my way to the centre, discovering streets, hutongs, buses and the underground en route. Bright sunny day, hot and humid as usual, but had not counted on such a bright sun and got sunburnt [it has been low cloud and smog until now]. Apparently the Government has taken one million cars off the road to reduce pollution as a practice run for the Olympics next year. Must be working…Did various recordings en route of the crickets and cicadas, the songs are loud and pervasive, just the right time of year. Found my way into the Workers Stadium on Gongrentiyuchang Beilu – see the pic. Ended up in JingShan Park which is the mount north of The Forbidden City where 3 pagodas containing 3 buddhas [only one remaining] poured beneficence over the inhabitants of the city [presumably] in days of yore. Lots of singing insect action, fantastic, and also as in most parks here, music and singing taking place as well. Many of my recordings here have people singing and playing, which is why I find field recording is so interesting – the element of chance that you have no control over. I have heard at least 3 types of cicada so far, and more types of crickets. Another artist Denise Keele-Bedford said that the tailors up towards the China Art Gallery had singing crickets in cages to entice custom – in the traditional way – but unfortunately no more. I am hoping to get to the Natural History Museum and ask an entomologist to listen to and identify them for me at some point. Will have to ask Kelly to help. She is a student of Indian Literature who is the translator for us Red Gate artists.