Cloudgate (雲門舞集) are an institution in Taiwan; and one of its most treasured cultural exports. Combining traditional Asian and Chinese motifs, they combine them in extraordinary ways, mixing digital media, human-scale calligraphy, old folk tales and contemporary dance. It’s always a challenge to get seats for … Read More →
Tag Archives: Culture
Austin Gun Club
Ladies welcome. I have never in my life shot a proper gun before. Air rifles, yes. But never anything of the sort that could do anything more than kill a pigeon. It was therefore with some trepidation that I joined the guys for a team … Read More →
Artist at Work
Somehow this photo seems to freeze frame a few of the individuals at large in Austin. It must be noted that the guy was using luminous paints to capture his scene.
Taipei Biennial 2010
Misgivings about the limited arts scene in Taiwan always evaporate when the Biennial sets up shop; the curators are clearly highly adept at collecting a thought-provoking selection of work. This year’s, while seemingly smaller than in the past, none-the-less tackled some spicy political subjects, not … Read More →
Shanghai Trendspotting
Shanghai is a huge, vibrant, emergent city that has had the world’s gaze upon it for at least the last five years. I might argue, however, that there has not been a any cultural development coming out of the city that has really influenced the … Read More →
Shanghai Manners
In Shanghai, it’s apparently oh-kay to clip your fingernails on the underground train. Apparently, it is also okay to leave a pile of clippings on the seat for the next customer. This made me physically revolt, more even than seeing people spit everywhere. Rant over.
Expo Shanghai
“China, meet World. World, meet China.” It’s statement is pretty clear. World Fairs and Expositions are a chance for the nations of the world to trade ideas and peddle their cultural and industrial wares. This year’s show, held in an emergent and increasingly confident Shanghai, … Read More →
Jiufen Escape
Feeling blurry – but all the better for escaping the city. Quick escape from a sleepy, rainy Taipei, and off to Jiufen for an afternoon session of tea and Taiwanese snacks. Very satisfying. Looking over at Turtle Island. Lantern Street The wind picks up.
Local Cars for Local People
One of the pleasures of walking around the neighbourhood is checking out the exotic (and not so exotic) machinery on display. Everything from immaculately-prepared hotrods, through to European rust-buckets.