Saturday, May 28, 2011

After sunrise





“If there's any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone, sharing something. I know, it‘s almost impossible to succeed, but...who cares, really? The answer must be in the attempt.” (Script from Before Sunrise)

“I feel really alive when I want something more than just basic survival needs. I mean, wanting whether it's intimacy with another person, or a new pair of shoes, is kind of beautiful. I like that we have those ever-renewing desires.” (Script from Before Sunset)


Before Sunrise portrays the fantasy of two strangers decided to enjoy each other’s company and explore the city of Vienna for one single night while Before Sunset depicts the reality of their lives nine years after the first encounter.  Filled with brilliant dialogues, both stories speak relevance to this particular period of my life. 

Everyone new is first considered a stranger.  Some of us may cross paths and become friends, buddies, lovers, mentors, or even soulmates…  Still others remain strangers.  The amount of people I have met these past two weeks is overwhelming, but how many of us will actually last? 

Sometimes it’s common interests; other times it’s simple chemistry.  As we probably have experienced in our own lives, those ever-growing relationships are people who make you feel like yourself.  They enrich our existence with joy, laughter, affection, enthusiasm, and understanding.  I would certainly have missed out on the greatest treasure of being if I haven’t taken the risk of opening up myself to reveal and listen to the songs of tender souls.


That is precisely what I love about Before Sunrise.  Would you dare to get off the train and discover the possibility with someone you just met for 30 minutes?  I have to admit the compelling force behind the whole idea of chance and unknown fascinates me.  Stepping into uncertainty may lead to letdown, but passing up an opportunity will indubitably lead to regret. 

Before Sunset is a bittersweet continuance.  It specifically illustrates how the past could haunt us and somehow twists us into people we don’t aspire whatsoever.  Realism is cruel.  When spectacular episode or devastating disappointment became baggage, we start to drill inward and to believe that is all there is in life.  Back in the days I was a pessimistic character with much fear and no hope in the future.  Yet I refuse to let terror takeover my heart anymore.  It is all about the choices we make.  Our lives are in fact what we believe they are.

So will this splendid experience I’m having now turn against me someday?  My pure faith tells me that as long as I’m not hanging onto the bank of the river, I’m good.

一口氣看了兩齣電影 ﹣Before Sunrise Before Sunset,故事講述兩個陌生人在火車上相遇、毅然决定用一天的時間來探索維也納及互相認識,節奏流暢,充滿對生命好奇的提問及彼此有意思的對話,但當二人於九年後重遇時發覺一切已經人面全非,一一剖白現實的世界。

過去兩星期我也結識了數之不盡的陌生人,究竟我們會成為死黨朋友、情人知己,還是繼續做陌路人?其實重點取决於大家有否打開自己並用心聆聽對方,假以時日答案便會自有分曉。

Man, did I just stay up all night again?! The sky in this part of the continent will start turning blue around 3am in the summer time. 
Another anticipating experience is working with the art scene in UK.  I am keeping an eye open to any opportunity.
Making myself an easy lunch at my host's kitchen on the left.  First grocery shopping on the right - got all these stuffs for only £3.38!  Budget living rocks!
Simply enjoying a day out at Regent's Park with Ash~
I actually take more pleasure in wandering around local areas than touristy spots.
Central London is an excellent place for walking aimlessly.

Monday, May 23, 2011

A walk to remember

Marveling at the handsome blue sky through the window of my host’s home, I can again take a pause to taste what transpired this past week.  Believe it or not, this is the first time in my life that I’m entirely putting my faith in the flow of universe.  What makes me decide to undergo the journey this way?  I can only give credits to the astonishing adventure of developing W Studio and becoming a freelance artist in Hong Kong.  Running an art studio on my own is already dream come true; yet creating and sharing art for a living has far exceeded my comprehension as if having a sip of nirvana.  I am forever grateful for how I am shown the possibility of life.

Now this expedition carries on to astound me with genuinely hearty people, captivating exchanges, and spontaneous encounters.  My spirit has never felt this receptive to what the cosmos is illustrating.  Though the painting is not finished, all I have to do is exactly what I’m used to do with my own artworks – tango with each other till we are perfectly attuned.  This is a once-in-lifetime opportunity.  “Seek, and ye shall find.” 

Yes, I’m ready to listen.

能夠在藍天白雲下靜靜回味過去一星期所發生的事實在是一種福氣,或者你未必會信,但其實這是我人生第一次將自己完全交托給天地萬物,是徹徹底底毫無保留地相信,哪為何我要選擇放手去經歷這個旅程呢?歸根究底都是成為全職藝術工作者及發展W Studio的奇妙歷險記所致,可以擁有自己的藝術工作室已經是夢想成真,更莫論能夠以分享及創造藝術為生,簡直有如上太空旅行 ﹣一種不能參透的體驗。


這趟遠征繼續用真誠有心人、令人讚嘆交流及即興的相遇來打開我的心窗,自問心靈從未試過如此開放去接收宇宙的信息,雖然整幅生命巨著仍未完成,但我唯一需要做的就是一如以往地與作品共舞直至雙方能和平共處。現在眼前的機會可能一生只有一次,我已準備好,隨時候聽。


Thrilled to see Ricky Martin's courage in publicly sharing his identity through music. (though the MV looks like CK ad) 
May his action inspire others to face their true self.

Reading "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbet & resting on the train as I travel from host to host.
My hospitable host from Canada.  Admire his commitment and life mission on finding sustainable ways to deal with poverty and our urban society. 
Went for a couch surfing event & met people from all over the world.  It's so intriguing that during those hours, the whole world assembled in this pub.
My laid-back host from Greece.  He took me to a Greek gathering & invited me to a house music.  We also have plans to check out some meditation class together.
Spending a night at SoHo with my host was definitely remarkable.  Waking up & walking right into the heart of the city reminded me of Hong Kong & Chicago.
My first ever British host (white shirt) is so generous & well-traveled!  His roommate (left) and another surfer from Italy (right) joined us for a happy together photo~
Didn't expect I would participate in a life-drawing section so soon!  This is actually the organizer because the model didn't show up.
Discussing the screenplay in a film animation class for mental well-being.  Excited to see how this piece will turn out.
Largactyle Shuffle Walk by CoolTan Arts.  We stopped by this gate which used to be a graveyard for the outcast dead, but is now an abandoned field.
Diverse people joined us for the walk - a lady in medieval dress & two sisters proclaiming against all kinds of discrimination and giving us blessing on embracing one another as May 17th was the international day against homophobia.
We did a maple dance at the end.  Supposedly, there would be a pole in the middle, but this time we used a tree instead.  Everyone would basically go under every other person until it completely wrapped around the tree, and then do the whole thing backward to untie.  (don't tell anyone, we sort of just left it on the tree...)
It's Ultimate Frisbee!!!  After 7 years of separation, we are united at last.  Photo hunt: please locate the frisbee in this picture.  (Hint: light blue in the green)
A lovely diverse team from couch surfing.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Feel like home

“Yes, you can stay at my place until you figure out your plan.”  I was utterly blown away by the generosity of a new friend I just met in person for a few days.  Still being strangers last week, we’ve already felt like old friends after a whole day of conversation on art, travel, cooking, gardening, couch surfing, sexuality, spirituality… This is precisely what I miss from the US – diverse & in-depth discussion on topics I am passionate about. 

Can I say I actually feel like home here?  I can’t exactly put my finger on the specific reasons, but everything feels foreign yet familiar (sort of like Déjà vu) - the bus rides, the streets, the parks, the meaningful dialogues, and the long-lost feeling of aloneness, etc.  My second host shares my heart on sustainable development as well as poverty in the globe.  Simply moved by encountering another individual who is aspired to building bridges for the brilliant mind and the needy, I too continue to ponder on how I as an artist can use my creativity on making our world a better place.


不知何解,一切都有似曾相識的感覺,由坐公共巴士、在公園及街上遊蕩到有意思的傾談和久違了的孤獨,我彷彿回到家 ﹣ 一個重視和賞識多樣性與大不同的世界。



在倫敦遇到的新朋友,一個又一個在幾天內因大家的真誠及共通點而成為知己,我終於又可以再享受天南地北的深入討論,話題遊走於藝術、旅遊、烹飪、園藝、沙發客、多性關係、靈性信持續發展以及世界貧窮之間。當聽到一位新朋友想致力作能者與有下層的橋樑時,我這個小小藝術家亦决心繼續尋找運用創意去令社會更美好的方法




"Feel like home" by Chantal Kreviazuk – YOU doesn’t necessarily have to be a person.  The pronoun can also represent an experience, a memory, or a dream, etc.


The famous "Sunflower Seeds" by Ai Weiwei being packed away in Tate Modern.

One of the last work of my foremost & beloved artist, Matisse.

Outdoor installation of soaring poets by various writers on the left & sculptures by Joseph Beuys on the right. 

Suitcase Beetle: "My freaking back hurts.  How am I going to climb all those stairs?"

Suitcase Beetle: "Look, I have tons of friends here, bro.  Don't you worry about me.
Will have a blast till your return next week."
Stretching & Tai Chi in the beautiful morning is an absolutely terrific experience.

Lovely new friends, L & A, in London!
Playing different shots with this funny circle light.
 And A said this is my "porn star" shot...  I can finally get one after all these years... lol

Monday, May 16, 2011

Lost in transmission

Oh GOSH, am I gonna end up sleeping on the street tonight?  It’s almost midnight.  I’ve been calling my host for the past 2 hours, but all I could get is the voice mail.  There must be something I can do.  Further waiting for his call?  Walking around his block for hoping I’ll run into him?  Go to the front door of the closed café to get wifi & try to contact him through the internet?  Temperature has dropped rapidly at night.  My hands are frozen.  THINK…. what’s the alternative?  NO, my mobile phone is out of battery!  But I still have my i-phone.  Haha, what a night.

My host & I finally got connected a bit pass midnight.  He was right up in his apartment (the building has no intercom) while I was desperately looking for him.  Both of us didn’t know what went wrong with the phones.  Bad reception?  Or the signals simply got lost in transmission.  After I calm down from the hustle, I again realize this will be another one of those funny stories in the future.  After all, flashbacks like this fill an adventure with warmth & characteristic.

Don’t hang on to anything.  The flow is going.  Simply go along with it.

想不到第二個考驗這麼快便來臨,一整晚找不到我的朋友,只有語音信箱,點算呀?再等?去他住所附近逛逛?到已關門的咖啡室門口嘗試無線上網?晚上温度急跌,手都凍僵了,難這我真的要做一晚露宿者?

幸好最後在緊要關頭他終於浮面,我倆都不清楚這個晚上訊號為何接不通,然而這個經歷又成為我旅程的另一段搞笑小插曲,畢竟要有這類笑料才能令每個歷險充滿人性及味度。

放手吧,生命之河一直在流,只須要放鬆,一切自有安排。

At Portobello market, ladies, this used to be the Notting Hill book store.  Now they sell shoes.

Exactly what I need - gotta find one of these budget stores in town!

The delicious organic lunch for only £4.10, but I realize it's actually HK$53.3.  haha, not that cheap after all.

The public bathroom experience - there is a mandatory cleaning cycle each time after a person uses it.  That means if five people are in front of me, it will feel like I have to wait for 10 people.

Introspecting on the bus - LOL
I was invited to join a small music gathering.
This new Israeli friend has a new album out & is doing a one month living room tour in London.
My first host from Brazil - a great hospitable guy!  I enjoyed staying at his cozy apartment.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

2nd Departure

When was the last time I step onto a plane?  Why does everything feel so strange to me?  From boarding the flight, watching the aircraft emergency demo to pushing the door of that miniature toilet, I experience it like a first-timer.  15 years ago, I took off to the US to grow from the immature self in Hong Kong.  It was the first turning point of my life.  Now at the age of 30, I dare myself to go for a one-year expedition in Europe.  This journey is filled with uncertainty, but that’s the beauty I’m going after – to be stretched by the possibility life will offer. 

My first lesson was well learned from missing the flight last Friday.  It was the stupidest mistake of assuming a morning departure to an evening one.  Being strongly discouraged by the incident, I however gained five extra days to complete an enormous application for an internship in UK before deadline.  Regardless how many more “accidents” may happen throughout this trip, I shall be prepared to go with the flow while being attentive to the details of my surroundings.  The days after my first departure felt like a dream.  Yet this dream is becoming true as I am writing up in the air. 

Bits and pieces of random flashbacks are flying through my head as I anticipate for this incredible adventure.  Rhode Island School of Design summer school was such a blast.  I was liberated to feel like myself for the first time to do what I love and to enjoy company with a big group of diverse artist friends.  The stunning fantasy, Cedar Campus took my breath away.  Tasting the true meaning of a community in a marvelous environment, I simply took pleasure in singing through all the hard works at the kitchen.  Ann, Jenn, and Kylene will always be my favorite Cantonese students.  Do you still remember how to say nine plastic dogs and mixed blood baby?  All these memories reminded me that whenever I opened my heart, the abundance of life would outpour and make me come alive. 

In conclusion to my first entry of this trip, I would like to use my all time favorite quote by Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask the world its needs.  Ask yourself what makes you come alive.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”  May we all find our own enlightened ways to come alive.  So shall it be!

興奮與失落過後,在飛機上靜下來,默默細味過去15載的點點滴滴,那年我還是一個乳臭未乾的中三學生,在美國經過歷練後,漸漸成長,原來生命中第一個轉淚點就在我不知不覺下產生了,回港後一直密謀這個一年的歐洲體驗,終於在我30歲可以起行,究竟在旅途上會遇上怎樣的人和機遇呢?

第一個考驗在上星期五經已開始,我犯下最白痴的錯失,把早上機誤以為晚上而錯過航班,這件事著實把我從天堂打到地獄,但我上了寶貴的一課,而且更多了額外五天去完成一份英國著名藝廊工作機會詳盡的申請書,相信隨遇而安但不忘身邊細節將會繼續成為我畢生要學習的生活態度。

還未完成中文的部份,機已經降落倫敦了,這個提升能耐及充滿可能性的歷險記是時候展開,身體很疲累,心中有點點膽怯,但過往經歷提醒我有足夠能力應付旅程中的種種,每次當我打開心窗擁抱生命時,都會有超於所想的豐盛體驗,今次亦不會何外!無論如何,不要讓自己後悔,帶著期待及好奇的心去放眼世界吧!


Ran into Winston smoking lounge at Moscow airport.
First taste of the London underground - Tube, on the way to hostel.
Beautiful morning, got to go out to stretch after being congested for so long.

The street of where my first host lives.

Good morning London, I feel great today, jet-leg go away!