Redirection and Network Timeout

This morning I visited the Huguang Guild Hall was originally built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, and holds many historical temples, spaces and palaces. It was a lovely morning to visit the now museum with Laura (translator) to view the architecture, museum of plaques and immigrant movement museum, with a light rain shower falling through the passageways.

Day 3 of the installation, I have added the base map colour, and made the 3-d parts. I have working on it on my own which has been less stressful for me.

I have been thinking a lot about my mentalities of the group in China, and also the work ethic of the young graduates that I have met here. Many young people do not work after they graduate, and survive from their parents help. I think this approach is worrying for the long term prosperity of the country. I read a few articles on the internet regarding the expansion of universities in recent years, the push for students and universal belief that a HE degree will ascertain a good career. Different reports suggest that 30 – 45% of these graduates are unemployed since 2009. Although the country is growing there is not the business and market for such students. Many of the graduates just pass the time, with friends etc. I would go crazy! From my experience graduating is hard, but work experience is so important, and unfortunately alongside low paid jobs, this is the only way to go until you build up your portfolio and experience. I always believe if it is easy it is not worth it.

Also with some of the artists that I have met, I am surprised at the slow attitude to work, however there are others I have met that work very hard (and to me the success and credibility, unsurprisingly, of their work reflects that). I am not generalising, but I have had quite a strong reaction to people that I see wasting time. Time for me is like chocolate – I always want more! In my life with trying to make money to make art, I always have so much to do, that every decision is made around trying to free up more time for work – from house moves to career decisions to social plans. For me having time here in China, funded by the Arts Council, is like gold dust!

Much more progress was also made today on the installation, there were also many hands to help me. We did encounter some difficulties when trying to attach the panels to the wall, as one of the walls in concrete, and we needed a masonry drill bit. Jane, one of the assistants speaks fantastic English, so she accompanied me to the hardware shop, but unfortunately the screwdriver would not take it. Difficult to try and sort it in another country when I speak very little of the language.

The structure is finished now, thanks to the help of everyone who works and is friends with YanYan. I am going to work on the colour tomorrow, and I have a few more materials to buy in the morning. I have made some plans for external sprays and a drawing in the centre of the studio walkway. I know what I need to do – I just need to get on with it!

Today was so hot, and around dinner time, there a was a large thunderstorm with much lightning. The night market traders had to clear their goods. I went to YanYan’s apartment for the first time. It is very spacious and comfortable, and he also had a seated toilet!

It is early to bed for me tonight as there much more to do tommorow.

‘Many hands make light work’ – 20th June 2011

I managed to achieve a lot today due to many people helping me with my installation. Almost all people that I have met so far came in to help with drawing and painting in the basic structure, it is amazing what you can do when you have a lot of extra hands.

I am painting a version of the traditional layout of the Ming town structure in black first with a internal pale yellow. There are also a few blue panels that I will attach to the walls that are locally discarded materials from buildings.

Tonight we went for huogo – there was myself, YanYan, Peng Bo, Wang Jun and Chloe. After we went back to the Moon Bar for beer and lots of toasting.

I feel like I have worked hard today. I managed to finish the working into and three dimensional addition to all the prints, so I now have five finished maps of physical/ digital spaces and movements in some format. I would like to do more prints, but I am running out of time. If I cannot, I will continue once I return home.

I have started my last map on the architectural paper, and I have one last idea using the country shapes in a colonial style format for another drawing.

I have decided on the wall in the larger studio space to use for an installation, so I will start it tomorrow. It is going to be a combination of paint, pen and 3D construction, with the original segmentation of the walled city of Beijing.

When I visit Xian and Chengdu, there are some more walled cities that nearby that locals have recommended to me.

I am also hoping to doing a series of sprays around the area, which YanYan has told me is legal to do. It was not in my original plan, but I am keen to fit it in, so hopefully later this week.

Today I had visits from Chu Chu, a young girl who will start her studies at SFAI in September and is a lovely, endearing young lady. Li Cao, an artist I have mentioned previously, who is an excellent and very interesting sculptor also dropped by. For tea, we went to have dumplings with Peng Bo and Lee another artist. I also spoke to my Dad of course as it is Father’s Day.