Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Muy Bien

Close your eyes.  Take a deep breath.  Exhale slowly.  It doesn’t matter what is happening these days.  Relax.  There is no right or wrong in this space.  It’s okay even if you don’t know what you’re doing or think you have messed up. Take your time to calm your mind.  Thoughts may come, and you may feel troubled.  Tell yourself it’s fine.  Try not to hang on to them and let them pass.  This is where you can feel safe – simply be who you are.

Now, tell me, what do you see?

Glowing bright light.  My vision is filled.  My body is wrapped.  All my worries are being melted away.  It is powerful but peaceful.  The waves are singing.  The breezes are dancing.  My whole being is at ease.  Don’t have to do anything else.  I can rest in the source.  THIS is where I belong.

Barcelona is a paradise.  The sun is out all the time.  Everyone has a smile on his or her face.  I was immediately refreshed by the positive energy of this city.  Yet as the holiday mood started to fade down after a few days, I was stripped naked once again.  Various conflicting emotions started to arouse.  The dark side was creeping out.  Are you scared to find out the very thing you despise lies within you?  What do you do now?  Beat up yourself?  Say all kinds of nasty words as a punishment to your heart?

Or none of the above.  Being nude on a nearby beach, I did meditation and tai chi to reconcile with my soul.  The radiating light reassures me that growth is on the way.  This strength inside me will liberate me to do what I come here for – my first solo exhibition.  Images are forming.  Passion is burning. Energy is flowing.  I am more than ready to work, but I shall be patient.   The ideas are sinking in while the materials are being collected on the street.  No rush.  My art will blossom in time.

我的夏天,終於來了! 巴賽隆納總是彌漫著自由的氣息,只是到了一星期,我已經有被解放的感覺,於懶洋洋的沙灘上,我脫下最後的防線,赤裸裸地以冥想及太極去面對自己的陰暗面,今次不再是罵和厭惡,而是在强大温暖的日光下,與內心調和,那度不住增長的亮光提醒我:「成長指日可待,變近在咫尺。


創作靈感源源不絕地湧現,能量與熱情水火交融,但我要有耐性,讓想法沉澱 ,讓物料出現,經過倫敦的心靈洗禮後,心中的那團火正在熾熱地燃燒,期待我的藝術在巴賽隆納開花之日。 

Only 5 minutes walk to Barcelonata Beach!  Wohoo, I have already gone swimming 5 times since I got here.
On the left, Estudio Nómada, where I will be creating my art.  On the right, one street in the neighborhood.
For more info: http://www.estudio-nomada.com/
Interior of the studio.
An open second floor!
Wander into Mercat de La Boqueria and enjoyed grandma making us a sandwich.
Conney was too shy to show her face while I have become so used to the camera, haha!
We pass by museu d'història de catalunya & port as we walk to the studio everyday.
In awe of the magnificent sky view from the port.
A quiet walk by the beach at night is a soothing experience.
First touristy thing I did - Font Màgica.  To be honest, the waves of people holding up their cameras was as stunning as the fountain.  Look at how my photo-taking device turned the fountain into an explosion.
Now this looks more like it!  At some point, the movement of the water almost felt like northern light.
After standing for so long, we decided to sit on grass and watch how the aliens connect with people on earth.
A day out on the Montgat Nord Beach with friends from studio.
Time to eat under the shade.
Later we took a little "hike" and got on top of the little hill.
Away from the crowd on the beach, this place was so peaceful.  Perfect timing for meditation!
How can I miss out on couch surfing event in Barcelona?  A language exchange picnic at Parc de la Ciutadella. 
I thought wandering in London was fun.  It's even more enjoyable to aimlessly walk around Barcelona with a note book.
Feel free to join granny people-watching on public chairs when you are tired. 
Celebrating mid-Autumn Festival with friends on the beach!
Without bamboo sticks to hold the lanterns, we could be creative to build a simple structure using pizza box.  Under the same moon as friends in other part of the world, we said "salud"!
Trash picking is a common activity in Barcelona.  Various kinds of people walk around to find treasure in their eyes.
The shopping cart is obviously too small for everything we want.  Lucky we had 8 pairs of strong arms, ha...
Our kill of the night and delightful tapas to reward such hard work!
Street view from my home.  It's funny to hear people shouting, laughing, and throwing things in their apartment.
My web site has officially been launched!  Check it out check it out!
http://www.winstonlau.info/

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Next Chapter

After settling in London for 3 & half months, it’s time to get up & move again.  This first chapter was certainly a magnificent opening for the story.  Now the next one is about to begin.  Are you ready?
I am ready as you are.  The upcoming artist residency in Barcelona will be such a different experience from London.  You will focus your energy on creating and expressing.  Can’t wait to see the process and outcome of your latest artistic exploration.

The dream is finally coming true.  I will get to make and exhibit art in a vibrant and passionate country on this journey!  Wonder how my heart will evolve in the next phase. 
Grow into a more wholesome soul – that’s for sure.

Yet just when I thought I have come such a long way and have so many breakthroughs, loneliness haunted me a couple days ago.  He also brought other old friends along – self-pity, body-disgust, emptiness, and hopelessness...  They were having a barbecue in my heart.  I felt so defenseless.
Baby, you are one brave man.  Leaving all the good works and established contacts behind and start fresh in Europe is no easy task.  This genuine spirit is what keeps you going.  Those old acquaintances may visit once in a while, but they don’t define who you are.  Being revealed from within, your true self is at peace but full of compassion, sentiment, creativity, and energy.  Remember the image when you were meditating this morning?  The glow surrounded you and loosened your tense shoulder and back.  That very power came from above and within.  Don’t listen to your ego.  Dance with my soft voice.

It will be terrific if you can just take over, so I can have this clarity with me all the time.
You and I are one.  There is no such thing as one taking over the other.  Without you, I am nothing.  We are like Yin and Yang.  This inner journey you are stumbling through will let you experience the texture and flavor of life.  This is what you always believe, right?


Yes, but no one likes the feeling of weakness and not in control…
What about this expedition you are on?  Were you ever in charge?  One thing led to another as you started to say YES to possibility.  The flow of life took you to far more places than you could anticipate.  My boy, listen to yourself. “What’s wrong with being weak at times?”  The society and media always dump this picture of strong and sorted individualism upon us, and you are going to buy into all these bullshxt?  Excuse my language.

Can’t believe you just swear on this blog, haha!  I know what you mean.  In my past experience, sometimes it is our weaknesses that link us together.  Please remind me from time to time.
You are one big silly boy, who craves for a lot of love and intimacy.  Next time when those folks came to knock on the door, invite them in and we will have tea together!  It is just a matter of time.  Their stay will become shorter and shorter as you can embrace who you truly are.

I long to see that day when you & I wave the last goodbye to them.  THANK YOU again, my love.
Say no more.  Let’s have a hug.

近日的倫敦陽光普照,到處都是藍天白雲,回想過去三個多月的經歷,明白到一切都不是必然,無須付款的住宿、有善得過份的同屋、當藝術模特兒的機會、久違了的終極飛碟遊戲、還有能夠分享交心的新朋友...

離開熟悉的環境,放下舊有的包袱,連一些以往的禁忌都衝破了,又再認識自己多一點,但我清楚明白到自己的內心和這個旅程還有很長的路要走,故事的第一節快將完結,下一章緊接上演,中間只有數小時的航程,準備好了嗎,巴賽隆納

Attracted by the glorious sunshine in London, I had to capture this moment at the overground station.
A brainstorm section with my beloved gang!  Gotta love that wallpaper.
A pleasant life drawing session at an artist's studio though one of my lower leg almost got burned by the heater.  
Woah... simply blown away by the artists' "sketches".  Don't I look gorgeous by their hands? LOL
This second floor studio has a huge open gate toward the street.  It may look dangerous but has a splendid view and brings in fresh air.
Visit from Hong Kong no.4 - Peggy Mom enjoyed a "free" lunch at where I worked.  This is called Kiwi burger (bunless). No worry, it's beef, not kiwi bird meat...
Ali took us to an excellent Chinese restaurant for my first dim sum experience in London!  Thanks dear, yummy yummy~~
How can Peggy Mom miss out on a free hug activity?
Everyone deserves to have a little fantasy, right?  Chase after them, kiddo! 
We then stopped by the Press Photographer's Year - 2010: the year in pictures exhibition. Loads of spectacular photos of all those major happenings last year.
Time to swing again!  
Dazzling Alexandra Palace - perfect for swing dance party.
Meeting for our collaborative art project at this elegant bar/cafe called the Bridge.
Look at all the neat decorations which are pleasing to the eyes.  This is a great place for film.
Why so serious, bro?  And what are you hiding from us, sis?
Love this shot!  So full of life and capture the spirit of the city.
Hung out with two friends, a world traveler & a film artist, at a spacious park during sunset.
They both expressed that London is a city where nothing is permanent.  Everyone kept moving in & out.  Hard to have a sense of belonging, even lasting friendship...  
A modeling session took me to Brighton again.  This time it's SUNNY!  Yeah!!!
Long and wide beach, but not very suitable for swimming.  Too cold, man.
LOOK, Dragon, here's Brighton and the ocean in nice weather.  Wish you were here, haha...
Back to London.  Walked through the river thames during low tide.  A guy took advantage of it and attracted quite a bit of attention with his music down here.
Stopped by Liberty 2011 - London's Disability Arts Festival & watched two marvelous performances. This is "Wheels on Broadway".  Who said not everyone can enjoy art?  You can as long as you are open enough to try.
Fittings Multimedia Arts - a combination of tap dance, poetry, and drumming.
Continued walking.  This path could lead to Buckingham Palace.
Passed by Green Park - here is one more reason I love London - so many huge parks to ease your mind.
Decided to take off my shoes and feel the ground toward my next destination.  My feet were delighted to sense various texture on the way.  My friend Gale said it's an excellent way to be connected to and be harmonized with the earth.
Finally made it to Hyde Park and played two hours of Ultimate Frisbee.  Though my back hurt a little afterward, I don't regret tasting the last bits of summer in London.
Farewell, my frisbee couch-surfing buddies!  Hope to see you guys for other occasions in November.
An intriguing bar as the waiting area for the Southwark Playhouse, where my host & I watched two experimental plays.  I often wonder what this kind of places used to be.