1st month anniversary with Andy Warhol

"Before I was shot, I always thought that I was more half-there than all-there - I always suspected that I was watching TV instead of living life. Right when I was being shot and ever since, I knew that I was watching television."

Andy Warhol

Referring to the attempt on his life by Valerie Solanas in 1968

Andy Warhol’s pop art never caught my attention.  We have not much in common.  Most of his values are the opposite of mine. Then, why did I decide to join my friends for a 1.5 hours train ride to Southampton to check out his exhibition?  Like Warhol always put it, “I don’t know”, but by coincidence, it was on June 12^th, exactly one month after my arrival in London.

Though I wouldn’t say I fully comprehend Warhol and his life after the show, I begin to appreciate him as an artist and a person more.  He was a true celebrity.  Due to his involvement with Hollywood, he was well-known to the general public.  His news would make it to the headlines just like Brad Pitt or Lady Gaga would.  Fame does not fascinate me, but his influence on pop culture and contemporary art does.

With the right timing, right location, and right people, a superstar will be created.  The Andy Warhol phenomenon definitely stirred up a fresh perspective to look at art.  Gallery openings became where young generation went to chill and party in his decade.  It was accessible and unintimidating.  I wonder what it would take for another wonder like that to happen again, especially in Hong Kong, where art is considered a sophisticated matter to the mass.

Andy’s art is actually much more than Mao and Marilyn Monroe.  Besides the celebrated silkscreen prints, he set up the magazine interview to dialogue with famous people, made independent films about random things, hosted television series for MTV, and opened the studio Factory as a base to work and party.  Being obsessed with money, fame, and death, he rather had someone do all his paintings for him and made all kinds of theories about art being unnecessary and parallel to generating money.

Of course, I’m not in any position to criticize Warhol’s philosophy of art and life.  In fact, I admire his drive for continuous collaboration with different people and keen mentorship for young artists.  It’s almost amusing to say that I do like him, but don’t agree with him.

Then, one simple line from Andy’s documentary strokes me: “You’ve got to do what you got to do… to make a living”.  Not even remembering who said it in what context; I basically interpret it as how it could relate to me.  All these times I kept saying I would be open to explore, but the truth is I only wanted to do art-related works.  Can I imagine myself as a waiter, a salesman, a dishwasher, a cashier, or even a house cleaner?  Why not?  You got to start somewhere if your are to taste the rich texture of life.

Andy Warhol 安迪沃荷 ﹣可能大家不太熟識的他名字，但相信對他的著作《毛澤東》、《瑪麗蓮夢露》及《200個康寶濃湯罐》應該不會陌生，6月12日，剛好是我來到倫敦的一個月，與好幾個朋友去附近的一個小城鎮Southampton參觀他的展覽，說實話，我一直對他的作品都不太感興趣，但這趟到訪卻令我改觀，Andy的藝術不只限於絲網印刷，他還有電影、電視、雜誌、攝影、雕塑、裝置… 試幻想他的名氣就好比哥哥及梅姐，一舉一動都受到外界關注，而他不是歌手， 是一顆真正的藝術明星！

Andy對金錢、名聲與死亡這些題材情有獨鍾，其大多的畫作都是助手們的傑作，他只是幕後主腦，在網上搜尋，不難發現其偉論，有些關於藝術與錢銀的相同性，亦有些講述藝術的不切實際，雖然我倆的藝術及價值觀完全相反，但我欣賞他不斷追求與各種藝術家的合作和對後輩的提攜。

展覽中一齣記錄片喚醒了我，即使我一直說要打開心窗去嘗試不同的事物，然而心底裏只渴望做與藝術有關的工種，侍應？售貨員？洗碗阿哥？掃地阿姐？甚至家務助理？我真的凖備好了，去品嚐生命的珍饈百味。

The famous Marilyn Monroe!!!  When was the last time you saw me in longer hair?

Main interior of John Hansard Gallery in Southampton.  Warhol's show is in other rooms on the side.

I've found my favorite cafe in UK - the Art House gallery cafe!
They serve vegetarian foods & have tons of artworks hanging all over the place.

The Andy Warhol Southampton gang

The atmosphere made me want to draw a little something, so I may live long and prosper in toilets downstairs.

My host took me to a play called The Primrose Hill Ladies Club for just £2! The story is based on a true story about a club for men who wanted to get away and cross dress for a short time in the 60s.

Johnny, why look so serious in the Painted Hall?

Wandering along the thames from Greenwich & saw tons of abandoned scene in London.   On the right, Slice of Reality is actually a sculpture by Richard Wilson.

On the left, my first live Jazz experience was not in a bar but in National Portrait Gallery!  On the right, British Film Institute has numerous intriguing movies playing from all over the world.  They even have a room which you can check out their database on computers & watch valuable films and documentaries for FREE all day long.

This splendid view is not unusual at all in London.  Warning: the dark lord is coming.

Checked out Greenwich Open Studios with a friend & this is Frances Treanor's home & studio.  Her works are exactly my cup of tea - vibrant & full of energy.  Thrilled to find out that she not only has happy flowery works but also carries an erotica series.

Hi, can you help me find my eyes?  I live in this spectacular garden, which is just the backyard of a house in Greenwich.

You have no idea how good it felt to finally run & sweat again.  To my friends in HK: 長腿叔叔你好嗎 交出溫馨的心是你嗎？可否某個季節來伴我… 解開牽掛。

Oh yeah, lying on grass & stretching after exercise is indescribable!

To you

I think this is the first official time I’m writing to you.

Yes, and it’s a good time to do so, as you’re liberated at last.

It is kind of awkward though.  I’m not sure what to expect from this conversation.

Well, just go on and talk like you would do with a dear friend.

Um, so what do you think about what I’m doing now?  You’re the only one who thoroughly understands what’s going on.  Am I fooling myself about the objective of this trip?  Is it really going to turn out like how I imagine?

All I can say is I’m impressed by your courage and desire to grow.  You know it yourself.  Have you ever been as open to life as now?  What do you have to lose? 

I don’t know…  I am confident about this expedition, and all the inspiring things that are happening, but I still haven’t found an art job that can truly spice up the experience.  I just don’t want to be a tourist!

YOU ARE NOT A TOURIST, and you know it well.  All the sightseeing spots don’t raise your interest.  I know as a fact from hearing your heartbeat when you get involved and interact with all kinds of fascinating people.  The flow will take you to the commitment you’re meant to play a part in.  Has it failed you since you put your entire faith in?  Don’t you worry.

I know I know, I’m not anxious, but we human beings aren’t perfect and have weaknesses.  We may have doubts from time to time.  It’s hard to avoid especially I’m facing it everyday.  That’s why I’m writing to you.  I have to share this aroused thought.

My dear, you are in good hands.  I have this guts feeling that from the day you stepped onto the plane, it will just keep getting better.  You will be more and more astonished by what life can actually be.  You have no idea how delighted I am to see you at this place after what happened in the past.

Same here.  I’m even more overjoyed to share this intimacy with you now.  Remember we used stab each other with the nastiest words?  Who would think that you and I could finally get along and become the most supportive companion ever?

For that, I’m forever grateful.  Now take a deep breath (though you still have a stuffy nose from the cold) and carry on your marvelous adventure.  I will be by your side no matter what.

Thank YOU for your love.  Life is full of revelation.  I shall stay tuned.

一次可一不可再的對話，希望大家不會介意看原汁原味的英文版本。

Street Fest at Shoreditch - though I was never a big fan of street culture, this festival gave me a different taste of what it is like.

Seeing these Graffiti artists spending a whole day on their works makes me want to jump in my art right away.

Having a GO at this digital Graffiti wall.

A cute funny shot with Ash on the left.  Hip-hop dancers having a blast on the right.

Isn't it awesome to get lost in the music & dance your ass off once in a while?  WE DID!

A friend took me on a midnight walk around soho.  I was simply taken away by the silent scene.

I was invited to join my first ever art opening in the alleyway in London.

Charming new friends & host (right) accompanied me to the exhibition.

We went to the famous Brick Lane for Indian food afterward.  How can you not love London for its diversity?