Thoughts from an Industrial Designer living in Taiwan.
Paul, a Taiwanese musician friend, invited me out today with a group of friends for his birthday. Rather stylishly, we saw the Russian Philharmonia Symphony Orchestra of Moscow perform some numbers from Shostakovic (spelling I am sure is wrong) and some other dead guys. Rather special. Especially as we had front row seats – sweat off the musicians included in the price. But no bar at half time!
My local spectacles shop
After a dangerously quiet weekend of staying in, eating well, avoiding alcohol (mostly) and mountain biking I got a tip from Michael to check out Japanese art rockers Maywa Denki at Luxy. Quite seriously, I have never had my mouth open for more at a concert – either in disbelief, awe or laughter. However, I am not quite sure which was stranger – the Japanese band, or the reaction by the Taiwanese, who predictably spent the concert sitting on the floor, as if at school.
Summing up the band is quite difficult. Indeed, the pictures fail to capture the charisma of the lead singer, or the stern, steely gaze of the ’employees.’ Stopping in the middle of the performance to explain that their musical instruments shed some light – “MANY MANY SWITCHIE, 100 VOLTIES, KA PAAANG!”
Maywa Denki used to be the lead singer’s Father’s company. Passed onto him, he deemed that art and rock were more important, but maintained a tight focus on product. As such, the musical instruments are controlled by the aformentioned switches and replicate guitars, percussion or exploding dolls. Goods can be ordered from theire web site here. Hard to sum up, perhaps these photos do a better job!
Finally, I have a new digital camera! This should mean, combined with the bootleg wireless connection I have in my apartment, much better with you – the outside world.
For those that are interested, I have a Canon Ixy 60 – otherwise known as an Ixus 55 in Europe or Powershot 450 in the US. Confused? You should be.
Michael sent me some great photos from my time at Asus which are worth putting up – I am waiting for my new camera, so have to make do with others’ images for now.
The new job is going well, and I am learning to work in a smaller, faster team again. It is not without its problems, but the opportunities are exciting. And there are some great people there to enjoy lunch with. More on that some time!
… I’ll finish this post some time. I now have my camera and need to add some photos!
“Over here, Viv!”
“Ta Dahhhhh”
Dahlings,
My social life took an explosive turn for the better this weekend, as a result of some special golden tickets and rivers of free booze.
Friday:
21:20pm Vivienne Westwood launch. Rather!
12:30am MOS to see Crystal Method and dance my booty off.
Saturday:
19:30pm Japanese food at Dozo – Tarantino style joint.
21:30pm Prada Launch. 86th floor, Taipei 101. Celebrities. Champagne. FABulous views.
01:30am Room 18 club event … and I am almost falling over from too much expensive booze.
04:30am Meet U2’s lighting designers and agree to get more smashed at Vibe.
06:30am Continue session at Hyatt suite overlooking the mountains.
08:30am Roll into cab.
17:30pm Wake up with my face stuck to the pillow.
… next weekend I will be more healthy. Promise.
Say no more.
More Scooter English.
To Feel Exuberan Tly Happy
Writing is rather sporadic at the moment – no internet connection at home at the moment, which is a bit of a pain.
However, last night was the momentous event of being able to cook for the first time in a whole year! I now have a kitchen and want to get back into the habit of cooking for myself. Slightly rusty in the supermarket as a result of being catered for for a year now, I seem incapable of buying things for cooking. I still managed to escape from the place with a pack of spaghetti, some garlic and olive oil, plus the closest thing I could get to a courgette.
Unfortunately, I ended up frying a cucumber, but still it tasted good and I appreciated it alongside a nice glass of red wine in the new apartment, which is slowly getting better.
I’ll post some other events soon. My digital camera is off for repair and I am weighing up buying a new one instead. The humidity of Taiwan destroys electronics, and in my case the menu buttons have stopped functioning, which is handy.
Smoking stack
The Taipei city council are a resourceful lot. Not only do they build a rubbish incinerator, but they heat a swimming pool from the excess energy. Not content with limiting themselves to mere swimming, they also saw fit to mount a revolving restaurant to the top of the multi-coloured chimney stack.
Thus, when eating here the stench of rubbish and diesel from the legions of trucks complements the sophisticated atmosphere and forceful service.
I also met a couple of new designers – Wouter from Holland and Nik… from London! Yeah, another Brit dude to complement myself, James and Dean. We are catching up with those pesky Germans, finally.
Getting wasted with the boys
Prada assists