Ciao

“Nothing surprises you anymore.  You are so used to going with the flow now.” A Turkish traveler who sat next to me in an experimental live gig said after hearing my story this half a year. 

Am I, really? 

I must admit I am much less paranoid when it comes to the uncertainty of life these days.  Money?  Housing?  Career?  Relationship?  We can always wrap our mind around these matters and feel the insane pressure from our society, family, peers, and inner critic.  Yet my experience teaches me that everything somehow cooperates for the benefits of all in the end; we will be able to savor it if we have an open heart. 

The expedition is continuous.  I still have a long way to go.  Curling up in my little cold studio in Barcelona, I take a moment to taste the flavors of how far I have come.  It is like a miracle to undergo such transformation.  I don’t even remember when I started seeing lessons instead of failure.  All I know is the growth I have been longing for is here and now.

One month in London went by faster than my senses as I worked days and nights to save up for this time back.  Fortunately, all these temporary jobs brought me to the behind the scene of places I wouldn’t have the chance to go otherwise. 

It is time to focus on my art again.  Moreover, I will put my energy into writing, teaching, and experiencing the vibe of the city.  Yes, I am going to write a short piece about my past and how I deal with depressing emotion nowadays for Chris’s new book.  Last year, I illustrated for her first book about depression.  It will be a challenge as Chinese composition isn’t exactly my strength.  Yet I’m sure revisiting those old memories and articulating my journey of maturity will be meaningful.  Stay tuned for my chronicle.

不消兩小時的機程，我便回到巴賽隆納，由於在倫敦日以繼夜地苦幹，到步工作室重見熟識的人和物時，感覺很不實在，彷彿一切都是夢境與現實交錯的效果。

然而又可以專注藝術，今次沒有展覽的壓力，我還有時間兼顧寫作及教學，真真正正去感受這個城市的脈搏。對呀，我將會為《鬱．盡時》作者Chris的新作寫一篇關於面對抑鬱體驗和心得的文章，縱然知道自己文字功力有限，但仍想盡力去試，相信這個不簡單的寫作過程會為我帶來另一趟心靈之旅。

期待當回顧上半生的甜酸苦辣，但願我的故事能為不同的人帶來一點點鼓勵和啟發。

My new home in Barcelona for the next 6 weeks - a sailboat!

Survived my first night in the cold, I look forward to more unexpected experience in this little space.  

Thanks to my ex-flatmate Shane, I had a couch to crash for the first few nights.

Love Linda's arty home with high ceiling.  The bizarre decoration is a bonus.

Gotta reconnect with my couchsurfing friends at the language exchange meeting.  My Spanish hasn't progressed much though.

Hunting for super cheap warm cloths at the Lost & Found market in a train station.  I ended up getting a colorful scarf for only 50 cents!

Left: ran into this human pyramid as I was wandering on the street.  Right: upcycle installation in the air outside of DRAP ART Festival.

DRAP ART fair with loads of upcycle products. 

This guy can make music out of almost anything, be it real instruments or trashes on the street.

Swingy jazzy blue - not sure if it was me or them, I kept falling asleep watching this gig, hehe...

This is the experimental gig I was talking about.  Poetry reading plus lots of wacky noises.  Strangely enough, I started to feel repetitive after a while.  I guess it's not so weird after all.

Kinetic art exhibition opening by students at the studio - these artworks have a mechanism which is somewhat interactive with the public.

Rewind back to London: a spectacular performance by Orchestra Elastique.  These guys played with regular instruments as well as devices they put together.  It would be awesome if I can perform with them one day.

Now we know this is indeed United Kingdom, not Spain.

Walked by the canal after work one day & saw these two swans.  They thought I had food & came right to me.

And so, the life-modeling continued.  This time with cloth on.

Still work in progress.  Can't wait to see how they will look like when I finish my last two sessions with these artists in February.

Farewell gathering for Asia at CoolTan Arts - a social art centre for mental wellbeing.

At the Museum of London - can you believe it?  Slavery is still taking place in the 21st century, even in London!

The boys busy making a deliciously wonderful dinner.  THANK YOU, my dear Ali!

Waiting for Anabel to get off work from her cozy Wild Food cafe.  Raw & organic foods, yummmm...

Looking null catching the bright early train to work.

Work took me to Emirate Stadium to serve behind the bar.

Then as a waiter at the prestigious Banquet Hall.  I learned how to formally set up the table, lol!

Also as a suite attendant for a concert in the O2 Arena.

Oh yeah, baby, give it to me!

Nanny dressing up for our little princess.

Miss you dearly, my love.

Packing up last night in London.  I painted those calligraphy for my dear friend.  It means "Heart shall always stay calm in the chaotic world.  Seas of troubles on the chest will fly away in dreams."  Bless you, my love

Chill

Do we always have to sound so deep & reflective here?  I need a break from analyzing everything all the time. What happened at Barcelona was spectacular and life-transforming, but I think it’s best to just leave it as it is and move on. Can we just chill and relax, baby?

Of course, we can!  The purpose of this blog is to capture the moments of life, so we can witness your growth in the expedition. It’s not meant to be a philosophical sharing by all means.

I know whatever happened has been printed on my heart.  It will not go anywhere.  Yes, life does get lonely; I still space out and feel disconnected from time to time.  I don’t even know where I will live when I go back to Barcelona.  But SO WHAT?  Who said everything has to be perfect to appreciate life?

Oh yea, look at that attitude.  Love it.  Even your friends in London can feel it.  Though Cedric always sounds exaggerating, he senses that you are shining upon your return. 

Nothing compares to embracing all my beloved friends at our usual favorite spot again, after being away for so long.  They have been missed dearly!  Just feel at ease when I’m with them.  It’s amazing to make friends with such connection on this journey.

It’s funny you often joke about sex with them, but sexuality has been your struggle since I don’t know when.  They are really digging out the slut inside you, ha…

Well, that’s the law of attraction, right?  Sluts are drawn to sluts.  What else can I say?  Sex is not such a taboo when you don’t make it so.  I wish I can be even more sexual.

No kidding!  You serious?  I know you.  No way you can handle the consequence, man.

Well well well, that’s why I said I wish.  But come on, I’m already a liberated nudist.  Step by step I will become a real slut.  I promise.

We better stop here, hun.  Otherwise, everyone will think you really mean it.

But I DO!!! ^^

慢下來，作一個小休，無須時時刻刻都如此認真，即使不住分析反省，到最後亦可能只會換來不放過自己的後果，那倒不如與友人輕鬆講笑，談性說愛。

回到倫敦後，令我最快樂的不過於能夠再跟幾位摯友聚頭， 我們猶如姣婆遇著脂粉客：一撻即著、一拍即合，對話豪無禁忌，那怕是情慾淫賤題，還是精神心靈科，只要是好笑有意思，大家都會奉陪到底。

內心最需要的，不一定是長篇大論的道理，這種無重量式的共嗚，同樣來得窩心。

Yea, that's what I'm talking about - chilling with the passing crowd at the Passing Clouds.

LEFT: Catching up over Ali's warming dinner after he just landed London.  RIGHT: a small gathering with delicious raw food at Anabel's (also my new home, hehe).

Enjoying a cup of camomile tea with Klezmer, the celebratory and soulful music of Eastern European Jews, at the V&A museum.

Look, autumn in London can be beautiful!

Okay, now back to Barcelona: Brunch by the beach with Conney the day after my first performance.  Perfect weather, and my head was still bald.

An art installation at Art Santa Monica.  Our projection will pick up radio signal, and we can adjust the volume with our shadow sizes.

LEFT: a creative 3D art diagram which explains the environmental & unjust issues in this world at MACBA.  RIGHT:  this piece hanging on the wall reminded me of the 2nd world war.

An interesting halloween party at a huge art studio space, and we fooled around at the metro on our way back.

My first ever flamenco show - vibrant, intense, passionate!

Introducing my twin brother, Tiger!

Don't have to guess.  This ain't Spain.  It's freaking Venice!!!

Inspired by Conney - the Dali's style buildings.

Ah ha, the famous view of the water city.  To be honest, I was not impressed by the lack of spirit of the city.  It has a gorgeous shell,  but no substance inside.  Very dead aside from tourism.

Still, can't argue there are loads of intriguing scenes at Venice.

Yet this is really what we came here for - la Biennale di Venezia.  Here we have an artist running on an up side down tank outside of the U.S. Pavilion - Gloria.
For more info about the Biennale: www.labiennale.org/en/Home.html

LEFT: ATM machine with organ key sound in the U.S. Pavilion.  Right: artwork commissioned by LV.  The artwork actually looks better in the picture.

Love the wide space of the Nordic Pavilion - Windows, Trees, and Inbetween.

Projection of painting on moving images (mostly world news) at the Belgium Pavilion - Angel Vergara.

Blown away by the chaos of this trashy dimension created by Thomas Hirschorn at the Switzerland Pavilion - Crystal of Resistance.

The world is full of rubbish, problems, and injustice.  It is indeed overwhelming like this installation.  Yet how are we going to join forces & work toward a solution?

Exactly how we imagined it - mirrors and animation in the Japan Pavilion - TABAIMOA: teleco-soup.

Though the artist, Christoph Schlingensief, passed away before the show, his concept of turning the space into his childhood church memory was still carried out in the Germany Pavilion.  However, it was dark & filled with accusing words and images.

LEFT: structure made up by cubes only using tension and friction by Corban Walker at the Irish Pavilion.  RIGHT: the skeleton of an imagined creature in Anton Ginzburg: at the Back of the North Wind. 

At last, we arrived at Frogtopia: Hongkornucopia by Frog King from Hong Kong!  It was delightful to see a Hong Kong artist exhibiting in an international scale.  I was impressed by the fun & playful spirit of the installation.

And there I was, wearing one of his frog glasses!

Crazy monster made up of tides, ribbons, and silk fabric.

Ceramic shapes connected by lines on this lego looking pyramid.

LEFT: ambient sound and light in a sound proof room.  RIGHT: charming sculpture by plastic bottles.

Any idea how this looked like before it melted?

Chairs and body "melt in progress".

Saudi Arabia Pavilion - The Black Arch is gracefully reflecting cosmopolitan culture.

Massively sculptures in a relatively small space in the Argentina Pavilion - the Murderer of Your Heritage.

Last night at Barcelona, we chilled out at a little wine bar near our studio.  Spot us!

The ladies cracking a lovely smile in the little farewell gathering at Miquel's.

Making our usual breakfast - eggs, aubergine omelette, and café con leche before Conney headed to the airport.  Yes, I know, I'm not a very good cook; the eggs were half broken.