tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50818985160455475002024-02-07T11:13:53.989+08:00Notes from a smallChantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-48023279876920392692015-07-16T17:16:00.000+08:002015-12-11T22:35:45.424+08:00Worldwide Graffiti<b style="color: #ff99ff;">Scandalous Viewing</b><br />
<b style="color: #ff99ff;">HK, 2014</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTw_CaC431Q0pp9zsMMSP-tLWP0FALqOQl5GaVBOgIUn5vDUUMXvvkqFYEGY1wsbS9byXZSnIRM4dhqI48dD91WbXSRNi7i10gAK1sTl1ljH_9j3o-TfSKRXikEHQ4bDngvfd6fH7L5M/s1600/4_GrafTVScandal+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTw_CaC431Q0pp9zsMMSP-tLWP0FALqOQl5GaVBOgIUn5vDUUMXvvkqFYEGY1wsbS9byXZSnIRM4dhqI48dD91WbXSRNi7i10gAK1sTl1ljH_9j3o-TfSKRXikEHQ4bDngvfd6fH7L5M/s640/4_GrafTVScandal+copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff;">I heart Kep</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Cambodia, 2014</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZKbq-JO4Zpchh0pFVPWrrEssZuw23Kv_pTRGq2kVhjX0ngf4OJ1XLq6Bp2TDkRlWNdhXfT9LiIgsUDrmVH2F4aHZeJ3tMWH3GVsoW1RQw85ZNiGEemgt5-DuqvpQ8ezFco5KuX4Er3o/s1600/110_KepGraf+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZKbq-JO4Zpchh0pFVPWrrEssZuw23Kv_pTRGq2kVhjX0ngf4OJ1XLq6Bp2TDkRlWNdhXfT9LiIgsUDrmVH2F4aHZeJ3tMWH3GVsoW1RQw85ZNiGEemgt5-DuqvpQ8ezFco5KuX4Er3o/s640/110_KepGraf+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff;">Miaow</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff99ff;">HK, 2013</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJf0AmjR-uZa4GuTCM2fV_u6vE-qzTFl1uPv0g42lqFfV0kVdtKd7Evd3HndTDJPyB4qkxqfzveR_pCqLfWWK0zAKeAC6imaPkSwdidP5Ob7o9s8ZkffvynOgmBTQeIw9AvqLclfqTpI/s1600/MiaowTPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJf0AmjR-uZa4GuTCM2fV_u6vE-qzTFl1uPv0g42lqFfV0kVdtKd7Evd3HndTDJPyB4qkxqfzveR_pCqLfWWK0zAKeAC6imaPkSwdidP5Ob7o9s8ZkffvynOgmBTQeIw9AvqLclfqTpI/s1600/MiaowTPS.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Lovely lama</b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff99ff;">HK, 2013</span><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br /></span></b><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvF_8MrZUiBk3b4wV707kFPWqCmcD1WN-FUvY1DsjI9mW-MV6TasjPgyyg4DbBPrnaCGDvWdk9y7TivddCTyaQOIvUBhX0oHo1SwLArzcKVbArYRKlz9D8JIP4ZeWGMyOLAINMjV62s4/s640/BlogGrafLama.jpg" width="640" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>I'll pay you back<br />Tin Hau, Hong Kong, 2012</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayiJdpMvj5IAM07J4chA7N7HH7FYl8jAo4y9q_hzksRLIzZWJ8iQPyb-6g0TWdVPpUamRgSIhat70doUTMYOd8c1ongy0t9CLjvFev-wj1dl7Ln6poXK5QQM1oz_ekeJ4neJEwxFmTq8/s1600/IMG_0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayiJdpMvj5IAM07J4chA7N7HH7FYl8jAo4y9q_hzksRLIzZWJ8iQPyb-6g0TWdVPpUamRgSIhat70doUTMYOd8c1ongy0t9CLjvFev-wj1dl7Ln6poXK5QQM1oz_ekeJ4neJEwxFmTq8/s400/IMG_0772.jpg" width="400" /></a><b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></b><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Kissing mobiles<br />HK, 2012</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q-xstmDyUr02bbC-F7_yUIneo7T82sgDjVnNORcXNwN7yyZ2_JsZm8Kf08I4fIRwXixezRKwiLx8BIth7RXhflYLnBIgbn-irVDpVzgIc00byXqtcznLnR_RDCuiAD946LU95sgB0UI/s640/71_KissMobileGraff.jpg" width="480" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Bagdad </b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>UK, 2012</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Bird</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>UK, 2012</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY3RFAuDteEnlHeaFePNj26BJVkBYEqdKITKi5yRZ9NvipXEf_S8kZYBzJlKZKMZhcqtV3oBLTubzCMndFYZTTZlW527Fmnz97Xci_M3r37xHwZ7Ia9HYQlnlNtE5Rh8PTKYxS_a4-34/s1600/BLOG_BirdGrafUK.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Robot dogs are friendly</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>UK, 2012 </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Yummy mummy</span></b><br />
<b style="color: #ff99ff;">UK, 2012</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Supreme Kate</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Central, Hong Kong, 2012</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq88bCwd-GMqET-HozGrGikXQVU79d4-AEnIIXtywcLZvZ_rWo2-5EYU1fA7ST9H737_CJrevUiUDMh6WPigg_XP9MCgTdOOARj9VBR-dQWvAImpdmFlISJ-l1BqBJGsnckAnoSOK6nU/s1600/SupremeKate.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Being angry is not as good...</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2012</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>No Smoking</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2012</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Lupus</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2012</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Where do the children play</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PYnAuB1vTQqUmBlryuEi0pcmV88rF3x_hX-80JNfg0xuPV6Cmt9mAnYCX1DxuIQBeReCAL2tF9KEDWjRPytGWntAkk2G289aMwuDxCOqvFkpX1OmZweieu0WKnUvtaPxLy6qzefnB00/s1600/44_WhereDoChildrenPlay.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Less Than Zero</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wMFkKl9dO9JkbaYuTv4_be4rR0OaMVD-FwSEdzK6dkyEO7UV9xzSO9xTzVtdnDHts761fNv4dR19EWW_qejCqmPjfvSPJ26oRBss9Pwqkj-d8puqwml83fJCUrMBwjftgmpa6VTgzbU/s1600/128_StrtFromZero.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Bad Bow Tie</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Who's afraid of the...</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011 </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hand One</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27tkDpv1v7Vo3kFJf4la-rmQhijN9vcMSGOGuMHfB7zW9BGe2p2MVa0U3tqKM1ePXdr3WKtvWJYTLzCUW0_tto3s3jmFc_rdvZcBligZuoE3dXI2skLmIAQiTohb8pYiNMfyBOFakv60/s1600/HandOneMan.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Jealous US</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Minibus, Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Density rises</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Drill</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Spray it, don't say it</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxr8udTJ_BqaknCfgku495Ht3zWYEpqpBrxgwFsEPmwkJis7MvGhO66177iCnDaFejK1PWsti-4K4DS_NsdEvSORVtCDAnp6GNn_nCuwyVEHOmoe_6ATq9ubp7FZVTodcVcwjNPgy-bDE/s1600/BLOG_SprayYourWorld.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Nothing out of the...</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLaXs7XbxpM5zkcEMNgIupMqY31zsKlccKt6sOdpP-fpkX8aYsvx0R_sMw9506iGt4QWa8KzVBu_WArEW5hk5C5cmajEWncztcM5cYj4urT_MW6vxUi5NTlvrZOFKAglQnq3wp3JjO_U/s1600/BLOG_ordGraf.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Puppy</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2011</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxpPRwwX_GBWAEn8CWGN-uwiHWRwj9GwQngkKyf-UgspyUqJXqzFvP19rldcInUlUB4FtQr8VMBIQaBHwubR1X_otUrju9VHOoRSwVyffb1jHy1dUF-STjNRT8DhTug8KAe3W2CY2CTU/s1600/Underdog_graf_blog.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Shut Up</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Soho, Hong Kong, 2010</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Meat Cleaver</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Bowen Road, Hong Kong, 2009</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKorM1agxA5wImf0KGx-iMAG4m4LaXoQFJ5VJ3hA65VhVC0f-7BJpNDBUYv0aX8RFKr14MLq5hKZPHdctvGzoG9ey2T_dbR5N5X1Uofp_gMz7Mag-7AWvanFYUxtnSMkJ1Wb0SEP0Rh4/s1600/Meatcleaver_blog_graf.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>My Melody</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Soho, Hong Kong, 2009</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H-SR19IOGmqctoMTZfpIIo-G5xQfOxq656eu5ThFteV0gXSqJaLvCUv5H463_XxSOVsqlmaCEv2zZDH5dxVxPi-lMV_8_Wlz2NHRQFalXWnhVAJhDPRGHDbWwyvCQIHYx8tBtbn2uDQ/s1600/MyMelodyfuck_BLOG_graff.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>This moment</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>St Mark's, NYC, 2009</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>UntitledThe Warehouse (蒲窩) </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Hong Kong, 2009</b></span></div>
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5zD3kXdFo5qUUJNxd3prRBpUyVbSPLAmIohcVKkjQ3GJwEzmxmCLoesTggGdyWA24pgr0SilA6E9u7xsihyphenhyphenulELWKctZQ-FpQytCnJQlPw-fys7ypMi2jSBC_ak0zamTwTqT3WyteNg/s1600/BLOG_10_Graff-warehouse.jpg" /></b></div>
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<b>UntitledThe Warehouse (蒲窩)</b></div>
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<b>Hong Kong, 2009</b></div>
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9w-Hl1BH4Ntp-MaLz3DJCGM0EDBAGDBrcrfTA1Hyq3IhinZ7goAJm-pfteM_c3ridpkPElQneDw8n4Ze1hjCeuk1qQPESpY0YoYhF84cywFRo6w4YypYlBPJtwcDLpiSNki-ufsR5WwM/s1600/BLOG_Graff-warehouse.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Untitled</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Brick Lane, London, 2009</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPaCc4yNtZev43YKgK6Wa_KuSFAfXViUaAbGOjB67VKb1nc3K2XiYtWeK0QM5a7O9CXhmy97MmXbo7EApu3EMrYEZHA2G0WoGKF7fL0uFIEkeTohq2hymU_0T2wD84PC2Ba85tMkNTaQ/s1600/BLOG_Brayish_Graf.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Untitled</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Brick Lane, London, 2009</b></span></div>
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_grW1Ib3t7rRPFnsVXW5aZ0xVUnNmLn83Xj2wAci5rtwjjJe39yNoAAxNFx_CIMqHwaszDum4jW_uoMxVig-B4y4BBFlKZLehTa3Qrbz5n6AojT9cUo77-tVB08bDvIG7H9YzxcIQ34/s1600/BLOG_BrickLane_bldg_graf.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Word to Mother tag</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Brick Lane, London, 2009</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Soldier</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Somewhere near Brick Lane, London, 2009</b></span><br />
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ1S9DyFGgizTf-DsBEflSAC_HTXTcGQ_PriIi5CNhSTSUrrdoXmLpyd-06GPtbxiVr1OH_148NqvUyPgAqt0t57Ps98s3ngHDefFTpZSIXPFVzoruiXyYRvCqoMCpOXrigrUi9_oCuw/s1600/BLOG_BrickL_napolean_graff-1.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Faces</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Naka-Meguro, Tokyo, 2009</b></span></div>
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrW66Y3dda5aLV1HSfcZ7klgHqljlRW1LnyZDcE2Fld0w7e68MlvDBjxtiNbq0l55368IxjcgsIJlQ6I9QwG5Fj0yolHi-UfB5GYD0gnb6ABIpxqdgKFOWzSoiU8ehyphenhyphensikE7buKKG_Kg/s1600/13_grafitti.jpg" /></b></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff;">Sad/ Happy</b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2008</b></span></div>
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPjVSW8JWUlzr3PDCOfLGbk2ZcNLtNaqZdhaSx7HfTDycUIUQ-FXi9d3rKXq59pS8pBbMQQAPtRyQY75bIc_9MtEopJE0Uouz6lBrzY2K8MDhfuAHrVVng__mMnFT9nPs4456Y8dsxiA/s1600/happy-sad_blog_graf.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Untitled</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Stoke Newington, London, 2008</b></span></div>
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE7pGeIg1cJU74Eep8vPmL9jhTt5USWELSjLl0F0aLeFrmDBoyh96f595bauTajqQ2gnr_i814hFfDTU_RJJVcQd6fxQKWtjGO5UanTScmBVGLjudjze3WEWS0dpVp1lyY3A8G9f31lE/s1600/stokie_graf_blog.jpg" /></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Bunny</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Yuangshuo, China, 2008</b></span></div>
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<b style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbwAYdQUhC3-pcgCMbWpGTq-VrTUXcH1fO3Sgk56i-C4a7ZqgG2MywQzhnMhpzgVpCMnw4aahiL4ILoKnW58iKbMU52R0D17Lxs5ohgA2ABImmILN_U8A731AUO_p0R5zxns_ajr3PbA/s1600/YSbunny_graf_blog.jpg" /></b></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff;">Downtown Gainesville Fl, USA, 2008</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Jew Punks</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Leeds, UK, 2006</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>This Place is Stupid</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>UK, 2006</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Made by Slave Labor</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Gainesville Fl, USA, 2006</b></span></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff;">You Are Beautiful</b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>Gainesville Fl, USA, 2006</b></span></div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-85803031553739871692014-03-10T18:19:00.002+08:002014-03-28T18:02:25.812+08:00Chongqing eats and experiences<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having been to Bei Bei district, north of Chongqing, to review the latest Banyan Tree hotel, </span>(we’re talking misty mountains, hot tubs, tall
bamboo and a thousand year-old Buddhist temple) I was kindly chauffeured to the
city of Chongqing.</div>
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I have no expectations after Googling travel ideas for the city,
which pretty much lead me nowhere (no, I don’t want 364 ideas from <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294213-Activities-Chongqing.html" target="_blank">Trip Advisor</a>
and I don’t want to head 50-100km out of the city again to see things like the
town of statues of underworld gods or visit Foreigner City).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The city is huge, the traffic is so-so. It’s warmer here but the
air is quite gross and I almost think we in HK should stop complaining. Then I
catch myself and remember that we can always have better air, so we should
complain <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.cleartheair.org.hk/" target="_blank">and act</a></i>. But this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> China and the air isn’t bad for a big
city like this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">// Something I like about visiting China (not Lo Wu) is that it
reminds me that Mainlanders are nice. In HK it’s so easy to get into the habit
of finding them ma fan, being rude, but that’s just a portion of the section of
society who visit HK. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">And whose fault is it that we don’t really have the
infrastructure to cope with so many tourists crossing the border every day? Not
theirs, they don’t make the rules. I realise this is a bit controversial but I
want to say it. I easily get into the habit of ‘oh I HATE them!’ so I come here
to recall what their history was and what their culture is, to be patient,
instead of feeling harassed as I rush about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i>
city, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> busy daily schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">So, that means, I accept the spitting and the <s>talking</s>
shouting and the pushing in the elevator. Because there’s so much nice and
awe-inspiring and quirky. And they actually stop at the red pedestrian light
when there’s no traffic coming, which just blows my mind. //<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I choose a <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294213-d656576-Reviews-Chongqing_Hongyadong_Hotel-Chongqing.html" target="_blank">more budget hotel</a>, staying in a decent spot
frequented by lots of local Mainlanders. I’m still in the area where all of the
international hotels are, like the Intercontinental, Marriot etc so there’s
lots to do, with Chongqing locals, Mainland tourists and international tourists
around. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">That said, I laugh out loud (really) when I see the Dairy Queen
and Starbucks right next to my hotel, but there are also local fruit sellers
squatting right outside the hotel, so I feel gratified. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">It’s no joke that Chongqing is famous for hotpot – a short
stroll down the road shows me that pretty much every other shop is a hotpot
restaurant, mixed amongst more local cha chan teng (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">茶餐廳)</span> that serve the popular xiao
mien (not because the noodle or dish is small but because there’s not many
different ingredients in it) along with ma lat tong meen (<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">麻辣</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">湯</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">麵</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">) </span>and other regional
dishes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKG0koX63cJsYr6bXRvfV7R0h7WkvhShdsE8_Ceaib20pqUNqat4t35mTa7Svy4j-EXLndMwhJEZwB7wbMjQIpcTczgSULAJeMWvhA44014bT2eGwtNfeysAUQtHm3_9HHr9ul7gdJ6o/s1600/BlogCQXiaoMien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKG0koX63cJsYr6bXRvfV7R0h7WkvhShdsE8_Ceaib20pqUNqat4t35mTa7Svy4j-EXLndMwhJEZwB7wbMjQIpcTczgSULAJeMWvhA44014bT2eGwtNfeysAUQtHm3_9HHr9ul7gdJ6o/s1600/BlogCQXiaoMien.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I’m staying by Hongya Cave, and soon realise that my hotel room
is almost underground – that is, we’re on a cliff face and I’m facing the rock,
not the river. But I didn’t book this place for lounging in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">After checking out a local shop to eat xiao mien (yummy, not
spicy, containing choi (greens) preserved mui choi and meat which I didn’t eat)
I pass through a local mall. Not much interesting for me, especially since the
brands are either present in HK or too local to be my style (bright is ok,
fru-fru is not). So, off I head to the Hongya cave, which my friends at Banyan Tree
kept telling me about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">It’s pretty much what I want: Tons of fresh made local goodies
like peanut candy, date candy, Chinese cookies, peanuts, chili products and so
on as well as lots of local food stores that sell all kinds of local dishes,
all of which I want to try (except the meat). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I’ve now picked out my breakfast of shun lat mai meen (<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">酸</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">辣</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px; text-align: left;">米</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">麵)</span>, lunch (more ma
lat tong meen), sides (cold eggplant) (<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 38.400001525878906px;">茄子)</span> and dessert (any kind of local style tong
yuen (<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">湯</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">圆</span>) all of which I will have to consumer before I leave at 2.30pm. Oh and I
also ate my second dinner in the form of dan dan meen, which was ridiculously
good and might mean I never eat it in HK ever again.</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">// <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One warning:</b> These
small local eateries are cheap and yummy (5-15RMB per bowl of noodles), but
there’s a ridiculous amount of MSG in the food. I know that’s what it is
because there’s a half aisle dedicated to MSG at the supermarket and later, I
find myself drinking litres of water <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>–
with a slight MSG headache, which believe it or not, never happens to me in HK
//<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I also find a sweet shop on the ‘traditional folk shop’ floor
CHECK of the cave, where they make Chinese name chops. As a painter LINK I like
to collect these in different shapes and sizes. I’m even more excited that they
have chops made of clay, which I’ve never seen before. It’s cheaper than HK and
the skilled man is offering a range of styles, so I’m all in. As a pottery fan,
I’m really excited by this. Call me a geek, I don’t care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">People here are friendly and will chat with you, even if you
can’t understand. I’m pretty relieved that some bits of Cantonese are useful
and I'm very proud of my highly limited and crap Mandarin (I’ve had 12 classes
in my life) as well as what I hotchpotch together by trying to figure out bits
of simplified Chinese (give me details any day, I’m a purist, let’s be
traditional with the written, ok?).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">At the chop shop, the owner’s daughter who’s about eight talks
and talks to me; I finally get her to speak a bit of Cantonese (she can, a bit)
and we connect. I tell her and her mum I’m mixed raced and later, other Chinese
customers chat with me saying that Hong Kong people have nice names and take
pictures of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I haven’t seen much in my 20 hours here, but I like this city
and I’d recommend it for a fast weekend food break, just when you know,
Thailand is <s>ir</s>resistible (like that ever happens).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-74761877171165401272013-11-18T20:57:00.004+08:002013-11-19T10:26:31.875+08:00Yinka Shonibare: Dreaming Rich<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Yinka Shonibare's first foray into the identity of Hong Kong.</b></span></div>
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Following the trend of so many famous artists doing their 'first solo in Asia', Yinka Shonibare opens Dreaming Rich tomorrow at <a href="http://www.pearllam.com/city/hong-kong/" target="_blank">Pearl Lam</a>. The exhibition by the London-born Nigeria-raised artist includes works created specifically for – and about – Hong Kong.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNrxVGzJdXYpk0KPR-aTCcMUkqGNfCiEXgmfVZXPet0rJd0DpeqxYGzcyKRzThWNB-WnZpt8kNsA-YCsrcfLGuNTzZ3U9oNVjtFrr_UK5G07vSTQKXpcz2PYoYj4NtajtGdekziqAAno/s1600/BLOGShonTongLauClose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNrxVGzJdXYpk0KPR-aTCcMUkqGNfCiEXgmfVZXPet0rJd0DpeqxYGzcyKRzThWNB-WnZpt8kNsA-YCsrcfLGuNTzZ3U9oNVjtFrr_UK5G07vSTQKXpcz2PYoYj4NtajtGdekziqAAno/s640/BLOGShonTongLauClose.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Entering Pearl Lam, the exhibition is somewhat divided, into three parts. On the right, a slightly enclosed glass cube and on the left, the long room, divided in half by a long wall. Why divide the space like this? I wonder. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee63Hx4V0Z5JEkk9Z5D1nhwCpoHITUi3nDp4pM-gIkc_3QTut7G07XTxvI3IRvg8TY6UxpBgToaSa7dxiFK3omg1WKlUAQkJkbxM0XT5PFweMt_2LAy_8Vl9FKdPPNnjTCtBSPxywQis/s1600/BLOGShonFeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee63Hx4V0Z5JEkk9Z5D1nhwCpoHITUi3nDp4pM-gIkc_3QTut7G07XTxvI3IRvg8TY6UxpBgToaSa7dxiFK3omg1WKlUAQkJkbxM0XT5PFweMt_2LAy_8Vl9FKdPPNnjTCtBSPxywQis/s640/BLOGShonFeet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Curator, David Chan, was trying to create an HK-like space and I suppose that an awkward division in a room, combined with the strange, long space is very Hong Kong. It also allowed for the hanging of a very long painting. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7WN3B9Nr5DtDu-FFyjkE10aIEccYyVC0iultYEmNaP6L5oMpbMiCfskvruHHi2frB5aVXLPj1YuYtpDWSJ5swZDL_5i6y73TrpYH6FDW7z7IJdrZ6L3Dm_qbepA-8fPlMQo1lGDFttg/s1600/BLOGShonAndChildGlobhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7WN3B9Nr5DtDu-FFyjkE10aIEccYyVC0iultYEmNaP6L5oMpbMiCfskvruHHi2frB5aVXLPj1YuYtpDWSJ5swZDL_5i6y73TrpYH6FDW7z7IJdrZ6L3Dm_qbepA-8fPlMQo1lGDFttg/s640/BLOGShonAndChildGlobhead.jpg" title="Shonibare views his own works" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shonibare views his own works</td></tr>
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An icon of Shonibare's work is the use of African textiles, those batik fabrics which seem to echo tribal art. As it turns out, this Indonesian process of dying was mimicked by the Dutch, with the aim of selling them back to Indonesia. But they weren't popular and so they sold them to West Africa. Now, they're so common that we call them African textiles.</div>
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In this, there's a notion of imposing culture onto a people – especially one that is likely poorer than you. But there's another link: Trade routes, something that Shonibare is interested in, along with history. We already know he relies on history for story-telling. Look at the amazing <a href="http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/shonibare/dandy.html" target="_blank">Victorian Dandy</a> series.</div>
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The fabrics have become a motif in his work now, so in terms of semiology it means 'Shonibare' too. His work is so popular (he's an MBE after all; something he finds ironic) that he inspires contemporary fashion designers.<br />
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He questions what is truly African – this story of the fabrics and their origins proves that the diaspora as well as the modern world make it hard to find things that are singly and truly African. "We eat sushi then we go to school and speak English," he says. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6IiR01ZasoXnWDRqpBeBBlamKSUmGUSuoi7ZHpip0_f121LeBNhYdaGs_UA0gyMFabUsWEfzlP6jh1Xpkc04qToLsVppN8A0n6Ozf7bba0gQXRTfLdGpmxYHVD-EjG3wAeSfzLQmTMc/s1600/BLOGShonChildGlobhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6IiR01ZasoXnWDRqpBeBBlamKSUmGUSuoi7ZHpip0_f121LeBNhYdaGs_UA0gyMFabUsWEfzlP6jh1Xpkc04qToLsVppN8A0n6Ozf7bba0gQXRTfLdGpmxYHVD-EjG3wAeSfzLQmTMc/s640/BLOGShonChildGlobhead.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne Kid (Swinging)</td></tr>
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And he realises something about the modern mind. We're all influenced by where we've lived, not just where we're 'from' – 'from' being a notion that in itself is hard to perceive in Hong Kong sometimes. "At school, I was asked why I wasn't producing purely African art, but why would I?" He questions. </div>
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In <a href="http://www.pearllam.com/artist/yinka-shonibare-mbe/" target="_blank">Dreaming Rich</a>, it's the figures that are seen sporting these fabrics the most, although they are used in some paintings too. </div>
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Cake Man is the biggest and most impressive of the globe heads, with the weight of <strike>the world</strike> cake on his shoulders. "All humans are greedy and we all like cake," Shonibare says. "'08 was a pure expression of greed and the rise of other economies in the world makes high-end brands more desirable." He has a point, China want it and little chavs in the UK want it too, as we saw during the UK <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2024012/LONDON-RIOTS-2011-They-stole-EVERYTHING-Enfield-Clapham-shops-stripped-bare.html" target="_blank">riots</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOavIclkVrn6BsmX04NeOmdbebOhAElIOKgSGpe60MqzJMemLnXYV22eFgmJxofVUtLqXZTWoXSPIj2OKB_VG9XETBFTwLnfc0jnjN5gcCkfFhnVJTRVCBq-k_ngf1bLFjeDd6kn-X35c/s1600/BLOGCakeMan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOavIclkVrn6BsmX04NeOmdbebOhAElIOKgSGpe60MqzJMemLnXYV22eFgmJxofVUtLqXZTWoXSPIj2OKB_VG9XETBFTwLnfc0jnjN5gcCkfFhnVJTRVCBq-k_ngf1bLFjeDd6kn-X35c/s640/BLOGCakeMan.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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"The gap between rich and poor is getting bigger and the rich want more. Cake Man symbolises this," Shonibare explains. The globe head shows the rise and fall of the stock market, on a graph. "He looks delicious and absolutely disgusting at the same time, he's burdened by too much cake." Shonibare reflects that anything you do too much, creates a burden. "It becomes a form of labour. See the contradictions?"</div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Penny for your thoughts </b><br />
In another series of works (Dreaming Rich drawings), Shonibare reflects on the truth about Hong Kong. Not only does he call out IFC as an erection (he's not the first person to complain about the phallic skyline) but he paid homeless people to tell him what they would do if they had loads of money. "They're real thoughts. I traded with them, I paid them for their thoughts, as homeless people here," he explains.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Hong Kong Toy Painting is another, created just for the show. They're playful but Shonibare says they are serious, too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXzC3iWIPwGwug6WMhNzQ5qLvU-cppbqMSCEuDcoTReN6dAmXYEiABls8YkciwHNy5OBgEf33X2KAMlZcs2d9YKdO9OvoHjK7_yZV0WysQ5OTNBRLWk_iQOoz-ndLAtmKQzq9vrBoIs0/s1600/BLOGShonBluePlanets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXzC3iWIPwGwug6WMhNzQ5qLvU-cppbqMSCEuDcoTReN6dAmXYEiABls8YkciwHNy5OBgEf33X2KAMlZcs2d9YKdO9OvoHjK7_yZV0WysQ5OTNBRLWk_iQOoz-ndLAtmKQzq9vrBoIs0/s640/BLOGShonBluePlanets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not only are toys and their industry iconic for Hong Kong, but Shonibare used only those made in Hong Kong that would be more reminiscent for local audiences. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclYtamjohj3tiH1E9qWZf6jHaUQKo9nJhlVUyCz6_QwxjmAzpOMwaZXFH5_l_uFgYUGM87G6XWE-Ui6CqUSkP0Nu71F0tJ9UFXe-zWThuuccwsTQAKWtuoS6rEehauQMT1CmrcVgJ2cA/s1600/BlackPlanet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclYtamjohj3tiH1E9qWZf6jHaUQKo9nJhlVUyCz6_QwxjmAzpOMwaZXFH5_l_uFgYUGM87G6XWE-Ui6CqUSkP0Nu71F0tJ9UFXe-zWThuuccwsTQAKWtuoS6rEehauQMT1CmrcVgJ2cA/s640/BlackPlanet2.jpg" width="606" /></a></div>
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"We have enough not to want for homes and toys but not everyone is like that," he says, adding that he knows about the<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/28/cage.homes/" target="_blank"> cage dwellings</a> here. Will there be an uprising again? He asks. </div>
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<i>Shonibare's first solo in Hong Kong is showing at Pearl Lam (Pedder Building) until January 9th, 2014.</i></div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-9848630930930623762013-11-11T21:35:00.002+08:002013-11-12T11:28:26.240+08:00Art Critter: Marc Quinn does HK – Held By Desire<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A Chantown Art <strike>Critique</strike> Critter:</span> </b><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I'll never forget Marc Quinn's <a href="http://www.marcquinn.com/work/list/tag/self%20(blood%20head)/" target="_blank">Self (blood head)</a>. </b></span>I was about 19 and doing my art foundation course, when the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensation_(art_exhibition)show" target="_blank">Sensation</a> exhibition was in London, igniting the Shock Art term which changed the art world and starting a debate first instigated by Marcel Duchamp.</div>
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There were parts of that show I liked more than others – I was never a fan of Damien Hirst. But one piece that really made an impact on me was Marc Quinn's Self. He created a bust of himself, in his own blood. What a great concept – <strike>it's you, but</strike> it's not. And it melts and dissolves. As a youngster I had always been interested in 'signs' that people had been there/ somewhere, like a mustard stain on the carpet reminding me of watching Young and Dangerous (<span class="s3">古惑仔) </span>with Greg. </div>
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Anyway, it never ceases to amaze me which artists I can meet, as <strike>an artist</strike> a member of the media. I'm really lucky that I live in Hong Kong, which presumably thanks to it's financial market and the current interest in Asian art, can pull some of the most interesting artists from the far corners of the world, like London and New York. So, I got to meet Marc Quinn in person last week, as his show Held By Desire just opened at White Cube Hong Kong (<span class="s4">8 November 2013 - 4 January 2014).</span></div>
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I had hoped to do something more with this post but in the midst of work stuff and renovations, there's no chance. So here's a gift of a little critter, from me to you, totalling snippets, thoughts and images.</div>
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The exhibition is centred around Quinn's exploration into how desire shapes our universe and affects man's relationship with nature. That means looking at the boundaries between art, nature and the 'man-made', so Quinn asks us to look at the raw and seemingly mystical elements of our surrounds, in his first exhibition created for Asia and its audiences.</div>
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<span class="s5">Hunger is one of the first things that Quinn mentions, this simple and vital animal urge which makes us wish to control nature, whether for food or a more sexual satiation. His work, </span>Held by Desire (Chinese Juniper 114), is a lacquered bronze copy of a Bonsai tree, the perfect example of something that humans try to control. Keep it in a small pot, it's a Bonsai. Let it grow in the earth, it's a tree. This sculpture is what Quinn calls a contingent of reality – the real one lives and grows in his garden. Note here, that Quinn used a 3D scanner to create this, not destroying the original in the process.</div>
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Another piece that gives a more weird take on reality, is a leg of Serano ham, carved in onyx. A trip to the British Museum inspired this one. Quinn, having seen a carving in bone of a lion, thought about the strange combination of material and subject. The Invention of Carving<span class="s6"><i> </i>has a slightly uncomfortable feeling to it, made in a fleshy pink/ white stone that some say looks like flesh, but I say looks like pink Himalayan salt. Either way, there's a discomfort in there, which is added to by the sexy but torturous pose that such ham is viced into, for cutting.</span></div>
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Being an art critter, I won't go into every piece but I can't ignore the huge flesh paintings (they look like photo's but they're not). They are of a size that you feel uncomfortably close to the meat, because at that size, you're either really close or that's whale meat. The fat, tissues and sinews are large and bright as day, thrown together in a pile, which is just raw (of course, but I mean in feeling too) and awkward. <b>Not gross:</b> <b>Awkward</b>. Quinn considers them to be "internal landscapes" tunneling into the body. Which is, I suppose, awkward. </div>
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The odalisque of that series is Past, Present, Future, which depicts famous model, Lara Stone (she's married to British comedian, David Walliams) lying on a bed of meat. And she's about seven months pregnant, which explains the title: We <i>are</i> of flesh, we're born <i>of</i> flesh (also moving through it when we're born) and when we die we are <i>bits</i> of flesh, which rot. </div>
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When the floor opened up to questions, I'm happy to go first, seated on the front row directly in front of Quinn. "So, did you ask her to come waxed for that photo?" Apparently, "she came that way" but my question was valid – was Quinn looking to make for another shocking image, when usually such poses show no lady parts or are covered with a large fig leave? </div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-50522834496684837102013-09-19T11:08:00.000+08:002013-11-12T11:23:25.499+08:00Jenny Holzer in Hong Kong, with work created just for Hong Kong? Amazing.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been a fan of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Holzer" target="_blank">Jenny Holzer</a> since I was about 18 </span></div>
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when I was introduced to her work during my art foundation course before my degree. Since then, I've continued to work with text using it as a catalyst within <a href="http://cargocollective.com/chantown#312732/Who" target="_blank">each piece</a>. Between Jenny Holzer and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Kruger" target="_blank">Barbara Kruger</a>, I've had a lot of inspiration from two women who have an interesting design background. Holzer, for instance, was a typesetter and created political posters as part of a collective in the '70s.</div>
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Holzer is known for changing things in the art world. She was the first woman ever to show at the Venice Bienniale (in 1990) and that marked that words could be art. In fact, Holzer's works are about the viewer's experience and not at all about Holzer – she writes the texts but the work becomes personal by the way in which each person reads and reacts to it. </div>
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Today, Holzer's show, <i>Light Streams</i>, opens at <a href="http://www.pearllam.com/city/hong-kong/" target="_blank">Pearl Lam Galleries</a>. It's her first solo show in Hong Kong, offering 25 custom-made works. Having not been to Hong Kong for 25 years, Holzer had to rely on her memories to create something for the city. She chose to focus the frenetic energy that the busy city has, which Holzer compares to the frenetic energy of a packed gallery.</div>
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But one of the most important things about this show is that Holzer has translated much of her work into traditional Chinese. It enfranchises most of the audience here. The translations were worked on by five different translators and Holzer worked hard to make the translation suit Hong Kong particularly, digging into the nuances of the fast-moving language. "I was intrigued to see the flow of syntax: Where verbs would fall. I wanted to see how well it would translate too, to see how the audience will react. I wanted to see if I could do it," she explains. At times, she admits it's frustrating not knowing which statement she's looking at, but at others it's a relief. "I can take more care over the aesthetic side that way," she says.</div>
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Entering the exhibition, there's a lot more happening than I expected, perhaps because I'm more au fait with her Truisms and most of her works that I've seen are in collections and not new. The room has a colourful glow from the works spread throughout: Some leaning alone, some leaning together like a game of Kerplunk, some strewn and others mounted.</div>
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<i>Light Stream</i> includes strewn hoop shapes, reminiscent of public hand rails or bike railings, alongside a plaque of frantically animated statements, based on her Truisms. In fact, the housing of the LEDs is a huge consideration for Holzer. With her design background, it's no surprise that every detail counts. "This shape is a reference to a type of gravestone that was popular in New England. It's called a life to death tombstone," she explains. </div>
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Meanwhile, the wires around <i>Light Stream </i>are left visible, adding to the general clutter, the backdrop to these lively lights. "This really challenges me, I'm very tidy," says Holzer. But it creates the feeling she wanted.</div>
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That technology has changed her work is undeniable. "The infinite colours are carefully programmed for my work. Some loops are over five hours in this exhibition," she says. In other exhibitions, she has works that don't loop for over a month. Within each loop is a number of sequences (the way in which the words are delivered) which are often random: Fast, slow, sliding, bouncing, stretched, normal and so on. "Sometimes it seems to relate to the content but the animation isn't always so planned," Holzer explains. "Sometimes it's a choice and sometimes it just needs a lift, like when the letters blast out. I like to change between easy to read and really hard – unamenable – which is what life is like."</div>
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<i>Inclined</i> is a four-sided post of LED messages and really new. "This is deluxe programming," explains Jenny, who says they were working on it until the minute it was packed for shipping. There are animations of words flowing or passing each other from different directions, allowing two layers of text. Sometimes the words fall away in an animation that would remind you of the ICC's lights. "We took videos of weather and referenced it for this," she says.</div>
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Reflections are another unexpected part of the show. With glass screens in the gallery, reflections across the room add depth to the work but also the viewer's experience, enabling views from a greater distance too.</div>
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And let's not forget the marble benches. I almost dumped my bag on one before realising it was another piece of work. But the benches, which create a place from which to watch these works as well as giving a kind of park or memorial feeling to the room, are subtle and powerful. Thoughout history, there's been a relation between words and material. Marble has authority and status, having been used for plaques and statues. But a bench is comfortable, too. Holzer comments that she gets tired walking around galleries and thinks there should be more places to sit, so that you can really appreciate the art. "I don't mind if you sit on them or leave your bag there. I'm happy for them to be placed outside and I want them to take on the life around them. If they grow moss, that's great," she says.</div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-8885445477332926362013-07-02T22:03:00.003+08:002013-11-12T11:24:14.434+08:00Brussel me up: Sprouts with everthing<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A recent trip to the US made me recall my deep love for the brussel sprouts. </b></span></div>
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That tasty, mini brassica, which fell prey to badly cooked school dinners in the '80s, wreaking hate across a nation.</div>
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Despite the bad rap they have among Brits/ school kids, they are a classic British vegetable (if you're British. If you're American and thinking "hey, that's my brassica!" then fine, I deny you not). They have a somewhat Christmassy connotation in the UK but in Hong Kong, they're popular and you can get them year round.</div>
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I love them. I somehow escaped primary school unscathed by bad brussel sprouts and don't recall eating them in secondary school. I am, however, mostly vegetarian, in part, due to the horrors of eating meat at school. </div>
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But in the US, it's like they love sprouts with their <i>cooking</i>, not their mouths. You can find sprouts in all kinds of restaurants, in interesting combinations and typically, damn well made. The trip most definitely ignited in me, a little obsession, trying to recreate the lovingly cooked dishes, so I could love them with my mouth at home.</div>
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// Dammit, I don't have any in at the moment, so I can't, now, go and eat some, having ranted on about how great they are. //</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.thesmithnyc.com/about/" target="_blank">The Smith, NYC</a></b></div>
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In this popular chain of bars, brussel sprouts are carefully loved in a hot pan, with oil and salt. They come out a bright green, so have not been overcooked, despite that the outsides are wonderfully burnt brown and black, creating spots of crispiness and caramel. They are a tad oily, but the salt and sprout flavours just eat you up in a bundle of brassica joy.</div>
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Just USD 8</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.motorinopizza.com/" target="_blank">Motorino, NYC</a></b></div>
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Motorino is known to be (one of) the best pizza place(s) in New York. And with a menu that includes brussel sprouts, who's surprised? (School kids, that's who). This bianco pizza is compiled of the standard Motorino dough – that's thin in the middle and chewy on the crust – topped with Perorino and brussel sprouts. And if you eat meat, smoked pancetta too. I have to admit that I've only eaten it without the meat (but would happily eat one or two small chunks of pancetta but perhaps not much more). One friend told me she was disgusted by this pizza, but I love it. </div>
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Oh yes, NYC. It's just doesn't quite taste the same in Hong Kong.</div>
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There are many cool things about this Mexican eatery, tucked away on Avenue B, not to mention the three guacamoles they have on the menu. Yes. Three. But it's the brussel sprouts that really surprised me. Brussel sprouts? I hear you ask. In a Mexican joint? I hear you ask. Yes my sweets, brussel sprouts in a Mexican joint! These little puppies are served with pork belly in a yummy tomato sauce that is basically a cooked, thickened salsa. Apparently it comes with tortilla, but all I recall is the creamy sprouts.</div>
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Tucked away in Marshall County, Sonoma, Nick's Cove is a warm and woody affair. It's quaint and homely, with a water's edge deck and view of sunset. </div>
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The menu changes every day but always consists of fantastically fresh food, with a sophisticated-twist-on-an-old-favourite kind of charm. I mean, like the crab mac'n'cheese that I had, the taste of which still lingers on my tongue. The sprouts come with pancetta, of course. And what tasty morsels they were. </div>
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If I haven't yet got you, then go, now my dear, go and eat brussel sprouts. For they are good and green and strong.</div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-58427609803968638892013-06-03T23:03:00.001+08:002013-11-12T11:26:07.165+08:00Giant rubber duck hits Hong Kong harbour <span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>And makes it into my <a href="http://blog.chantown.com/p/me-and-giant-things-collection.html" target="_blank">Giant Things</a> album.</b></span><br />
I'm lucky enough to know the Assistant General Manager of Marketing at Harbour City. So I knew that the famous Rubber Duck, by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman was planning to sail into town and rock my boat.<div>
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In fact, so many people knew that my friend in the UK posted this:</div>
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and my dad posted this (<span style="text-align: justify;">in the mail of course, not online).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDKYmYdWaQvQ2zA_1Y1OzmJ8ki7wSb3DhUbJqndTHcQ7fZUfLvhGoRNPnNHeYzuQEkkj_8dmyP5JTfjNQzblrX3C_QLhDfHDKpEon32YPlRjKCFhxd6w98qexdKucHeP9k5xM8maHa7c/s1600/BlogDuckDad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDKYmYdWaQvQ2zA_1Y1OzmJ8ki7wSb3DhUbJqndTHcQ7fZUfLvhGoRNPnNHeYzuQEkkj_8dmyP5JTfjNQzblrX3C_QLhDfHDKpEon32YPlRjKCFhxd6w98qexdKucHeP9k5xM8maHa7c/s640/BlogDuckDad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But, I was away when the great duck arrived, so I missed any opportunity to attend the press event and get first <strike>beak</strike> peak at my new web-footed friend.</div>
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Having missed the timeliness of this, I won't go too far in explaining it because everyone else has <a href="http://encn.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/897721/interview-florentijn-hofman-hijacks-victoria-harbour-with" target="_blank">beaten me to it</a>. The duck has visited several places like Sao Paulo, Auckland and Osaka. Now, it's in Hong Kong, where it was cutely pulled into place by a tug boat on May 2nd.</div>
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If you're a friend of mine, you'll know that I have a <a href="http://blog.chantown.com/p/me-and-giant-things-collection.html" target="_blank">collection</a> of over 130 snapshots of me, with different giant objects. And I don't mean big, I mean oversized. You know, like in a Claes Oldenburg kind of way. So that's why all the overseas notifications of what was happening here. I can't believe I missed my chance to be first in on such a GIANT thing!</div>
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Today, I finally got my chance – because Ducky had bird flu when I first came back... and was proudly reinflated during Art Basel week (intensely hectic), so I missed that too. Following a meeting in TST, I saw my chance and swooped in for a view (via the #5 bus from Chatham Road South).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4g2vhpKqzLmRcd_7Q_WwYgOBWZe6I0zVZu0OPm3m5WcslB-S0ByGvkW8dqaMIrQm2DkLpFCdXi1q-zpmqngClRp44Vpay8q0_xQlSepfmiOAu04vQ6mnTr8nWroaIGAWeo0SZZAgl6U/s1600/BlogDuckPanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4g2vhpKqzLmRcd_7Q_WwYgOBWZe6I0zVZu0OPm3m5WcslB-S0ByGvkW8dqaMIrQm2DkLpFCdXi1q-zpmqngClRp44Vpay8q0_xQlSepfmiOAu04vQ6mnTr8nWroaIGAWeo0SZZAgl6U/s1600/BlogDuckPanorama.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I felt ridiculously happy at the sight of my giant inflatable friend. But after a quick photo and a look around, what to do?</span><br />
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That's when I met <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Dreamcatcherjessie" target="_blank">Dreamcatcher Jessie</a>. She had set up a tripod and sign, saying she would take photographs of you with Rubber Duck, with her beautiful <a href="http://filmphotographyproject.com/store/polaroid-250-automatic-land-camera-zeiss-ikon-range-finder" target="_blank">Polaroid range finder camera</a>. What better a way to capture this most momentous instant since I started my <a href="http://blog.chantown.com/p/me-and-giant-things-collection.html" target="_blank">album of Giant Things</a> photos in Japan (where else?) in 2009?</div>
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Dreamcatcher Jessie has a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Dreamcatcherjessie/photos_stream" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> set up, which shows that she's doing more than cultivating a love of ornithology by way of the Polaroid.</div>
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She took such a sweet photo the first time that she asked to keep it. So I let her and we agreed to take another, for free.</div>
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And I have to say, she really made my day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqEGpK7Lt4hZaxUb2jfWlA7GxR6HvElOBJX1tl7sTCuA9ERKGvm7vzv7BEwifFsWm1aAROUVuJwab4dsblBWGRp1XWTyWS_xy4t2VCoZY-6XerPADG9inpC8FQyZF-2N5HGE0_6w7Boo/s1600/BlogDuckPola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqEGpK7Lt4hZaxUb2jfWlA7GxR6HvElOBJX1tl7sTCuA9ERKGvm7vzv7BEwifFsWm1aAROUVuJwab4dsblBWGRp1XWTyWS_xy4t2VCoZY-6XerPADG9inpC8FQyZF-2N5HGE0_6w7Boo/s1600/BlogDuckPola.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I coloured the duck yellow; Dreamcatcher Jessie uses black and white roll from what I've seen online and in person.</span></div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-75401002577305866222013-05-30T18:36:00.000+08:002013-11-12T11:21:54.208+08:00Montreal: The place to eat<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Jadeite In all honesty, it took me some time to post this (back-dated) piece. But there was no way I couldn't share my tasty experiences with you! </b></span></div>
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The food was amazing, some of it cooked by my host, <a href="http://www.chowwithchow.com/" target="_blank">Chow with Chow</a>.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Living in Hong Kong, markets like <a href="http://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/English/Jean-Talon/" target="_blank">Jean-Talon</a> (</span>Marché Jean-Talon) in the heart of Montreal just make me drool. And even if some things seem kind
of expensive, it’s just full of delicious product that I want to take home and…
cook. Surrounding the fresh produce are a few stalls selling pre-made goods,
including the best sea-salt caramel macaron I have ever eaten and some
interesting looking polish pastries.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">There are also a few shops selling all things Maple, but I was told by my
good host that those products can also be found cheaper, elsewhere. Which was a
good thing, because I could not resist the vintage style packaging, which I
secretly wanted to take home to use as a pen-holder or something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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A short walk south from the market is little Italy. You know what that means? Cannolis. That’s what it means. I have this constant hankering for a good churro and while I know these two things cannot be compared, how can you say no to a good cannoli?</div>
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Try <a href="http://www.alaticaserta.com/">Alarti-Caserta</a><a href="http://www.alaticaserta.com/"> </a>at 277 Dante, Little Italy. Luckily for me, they have small and large sizes (this was a long trip, at some point I had to think about my heart, if not my waistline). I also wanted to try their sfogliatelle, which was what I was given the last time I tried to order a cannoli in Sheffield, UK (I know, what did I expect? It was yummy though).</div>
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have ever seen, were other yummy things that I didn’t get to try (heart,
waistline, remember?), like this nutty tart. Mmmm. I will have to go back to
Montreal sometime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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And after that, full as I felt (ssshhh, I ate other things before
we got to Alarti Caserta) we walked through Mile End, looked, tried on and
walked south more to the Plateau where I fell in love with a home-ware store
called <a href="http://www.vdevmaison.com/" target="_blank">V de V Maison</a>.</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">But we had to walk more, because I know that Montreal bagels are
good. <a href="https://twitter.com/chowwithchow" target="_blank">ChowwithChow</a> had brought them to me in HK before. They were calling me.
I wanted to try one of those, fresh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">In case you’re not familiar or lucky enough to have friends in
Montreal, their bagels are different and known for being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really good</i> – some people actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t want to eat a New York bagel</i>, because hey, it’s just not
their style. These little puppies are boiled in sweetened water and then baked
in a wood fire oven. Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? That’s why it’s best to
eat them fresh and from a place that only does bagels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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// There is more to it, but I’ll let <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal-style_bagel" target="_blank">wikipedia</a> explain that.) //</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">So, we took our route past coffee shops and shoe shops and
hairdressers (she needed to trim her bangs) and I ‘found’ myself by <a href="http://www.fairmountbagel.com/" target="_blank">FairmountBagel </a>(because I cried “what about the bagel?”
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Located at 74 Fairmount West, these guys have been making bagels
since 1919 and my taste buds told me that experience was worth it, even if my
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The only thing I missed was the <a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2010/04/love-hate-marmite.html" target="_blank">Marmite</a>. But hey, this lox was ridiculously good too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I still had more places to go on my trip, so sadly I didn’t
bring bagels home, but I did head to a supermarket one Mont Royale Avenue (av. du Mont-Royal) to get less
perishable goods. And oops! We passed by <a href="http://www.lamaisondumacaron.com/" target="_blank">La Maison du Macaron</a>, which I was told is one of the best in the city.</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The lovely Chow bought me a box of the printemps-été 2013
collection: Mango and black pepper, strawberry and rhubarb, raspberry and lime,
strawberry and basil and of course, I tried their sea salt caramel too. I’m
obsessed with caramel. I’m obsessed with salty & sweet. So what can I say?
This was a trip of flavour combinations (check out the pops at <a href="http://thehyppo.com/index.html" target="_blank">The Hyppo</a> in St
Augustine </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">).</span></div>
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Oh, and at the supermarket I picked up some cheese and a jar of
Dulce de Leche (for some reason, it’s a regular staple in Canadian
supermarkets), which I’ve been saving up for making some Argentinian <a href="http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/ss/Alfajores.htm," target="_blank">alfajores</a>, now the weather is cooler in HK. I’m going to add some pink Himalayan sea salt
to mine, along with that coconut rim. (Warning: there are lots of <i>bad</i> recipes for these on the Internet…)</div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-78130920379953119432013-05-27T21:26:00.000+08:002013-11-12T11:26:47.834+08:00Kisses cupcakes, Wan Chai<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Me love cupcake. </b></span>So I couldn't resist trying one from Kisses cupcakes when I discovered it on Saturday. Despite the fact that I just got back from a month in the USA. (So much cake).</div>
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But upon looking through the window at the product, I realised that these cupcakes are shallow – and less filling – but with a fair helping of frosting neatly whipped around the top. A decent ratio to indulge a frosting freak like me.</div>
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With choices like mint choc chip, red velvet, cookies n cream, green tea, (I could go on for a while) it was hard to decide on my final prey. But I felt like something light (after a month in the US) and chose lemon. I like lemon desserts, they're usually pretty tasty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLeJMXP4tPTUZnhjd5RiFRmZ15vgwdUXrL0m4PI0JMZ6cw_6X6g2la3F40IAZczRlz74omcZd2HkCMOCXFtrQzSgGULqHndgSMfwB0ReizYPQqme8rmD62L6b_zfM_YF59fr8SRPozQg/s1600/BlogKisses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLeJMXP4tPTUZnhjd5RiFRmZ15vgwdUXrL0m4PI0JMZ6cw_6X6g2la3F40IAZczRlz74omcZd2HkCMOCXFtrQzSgGULqHndgSMfwB0ReizYPQqme8rmD62L6b_zfM_YF59fr8SRPozQg/s640/BlogKisses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cake part was lightly lemony, fluffy and not too sweet. It wasn't oily and tasted natural, unlike many store-bought muffins. Despite my love of frosting, I was a bit overwhelmed by this one. The frosting wasn't a buttercream with a sweet twist of lemon, as I'd expected, but a base of fresh whipped cream and not-too-sweet lemon. For me, that was far richer than a butter cream and took the enjoyment out of the cake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-S_iMya6nMOzyEriUdRa8WmUD4UIl9q7FtEA9XCEBkLhBurXhUGqI9LsDEOSiKNhd26v9qJzAy19hCtxBq5Un0L_yA1bOxAFuXVr8UKakhsSpigU1gsR9wCvU7mGcD8BKRE3Jxx76pU/s1600/BlogKissesLemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-S_iMya6nMOzyEriUdRa8WmUD4UIl9q7FtEA9XCEBkLhBurXhUGqI9LsDEOSiKNhd26v9qJzAy19hCtxBq5Un0L_yA1bOxAFuXVr8UKakhsSpigU1gsR9wCvU7mGcD8BKRE3Jxx76pU/s640/BlogKissesLemon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All said and done, especially for Hong Kong, I thought the balance of texture and flavour was commendable.</div>
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Kisses is sweet, reasonably priced at $25 and up and I plan to visit again. There's a red velvet I haven't got to yet.</div>
Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-87210356652558628492013-05-23T23:32:00.001+08:002013-11-12T11:29:06.796+08:00Art Critter: Art Basel Hong Kong, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Chantown Art <strike>Critique</strike> Critter: What did I think of Art Basel Hong Kong?</b></span></div>
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I liked it. And I thought the brand changes externally were minimal, but I can't say the same for those who worked on the fair. Or for the collectors. (That said, I found the old website much more informative... why do Art Basel hide the Press section of their site?).</div>
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Between the first and the third floor, I preferred the third, but that might be because I started there, after CY Leung cut the ribbon to start the show. I might point out that I found his presence somewhat huomourous (he did not give a speech). But I also took it as a sign that the government can only be pleased they have secured Art Basel as a great business venture, since they do relatively little to promote the arts by way of education, support, funds or on a wider societal basis.</div>
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Art Fairs are a funny business for the average Joe. You might see famous pieces you'd otherwise need to travel to New York for. Or new works by artists just making the spotlight. But you are also confronted with hundreds of galleries and pieces – that aren't for you. You're not buying. Even at the Affordable Art Fair, the question of purchasing a piece needs careful, careful thought. Those are my savings.</div>
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So the enormity of an art fair is about as draining and overwhelming as seeing all of the Metropolitan in New York. You lose energy, will and interest. But fairs, the buzz that goes with them and your friends' Instagram streams make you feel like you have to see it all.</div>
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I think that ArtHK greatly improved over the years, but the works were a bit repetitive. Art Basel Hong Kong seems less so. The breadth of work and galleries presented is better. I even saw a Wayne Thiebaud – one of my favourite painters. (He's 92 and you could eat his work). I've never seen that at the fair before. You can find him at Acquavella somewhere on the third floor – you've got a map.</div>
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Onto other things. The vernissage somehow lacked the ambience, crowds and excitement of last year, despite that Kate Moss allegedly attended as did Shwan Yue (I didn't see him!) and Edison Chen. Actually I didn't see that many people that I know either, and usually, everyone is there.</div>
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That said, I know a number of artists and galleries that couldn't get enough vernissage tickets, something that I've never heard before. In Hong Kong, we all know someone... so it's not always that hard to get in (for free). Could it be that Art Basel tightened the reigns? It's hard not to feel, from inside chit chat, that this is a money machine. Of course it is – the art world is fickle, money makes it. But this is gossip so I should stop.</div>
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Out of about 245 galleries present at Art Basel, about 26 are Hong Kong galleries. While that includes White Cube and Ben Brown (etc), it's still a good percentage, as Fair Director, Magnus Renfrew pointed out. Well done Hong Kong.</div>
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Maybe it's just me, but while I enjoyed the fair (especially Thiebaud) I don't feel the lure to go back again over the weekend, I don't feel an attachment and I can't even point you to any pieces that you really must see except for Thiebaud and Shieh (that was at an HK gallery, I forgot which. Sorry, I was tired). I saw at least four pieces clearly based around guns.Yawn.</div>
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<span class="s1">Instead, if you feel adventurous, go to the old cold storage beneath the Fringe Club and see Wun Dun. Artist Adrian Wong was selected by </span>the Absolut Art Bureau to create an immersive installation for the launch of Art Basel HK – and it's hosted in the coolest spot (<strike>sorry: pun</strike>). Various performers will appear every night, and the cocktails were created by Wong (which if you know him, is a little concerning). I couldn't take Duck cocktail (with duck fat wash), but maybe you can.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbk4Vt0TcnZf1kBelvSoPkdnu-xAa-UH2jO-WuRJjQ8NYOlU33HaBIh7znDlEz4y2_EXQqreHGeog2KD5KA4PmQfquTtnwKXVaBCpJjgIDYlRF6HdvIKP-Oyz7327MCdOjuqz9gz8VUU/s1600/ARTBBlogAdrianFrog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbk4Vt0TcnZf1kBelvSoPkdnu-xAa-UH2jO-WuRJjQ8NYOlU33HaBIh7znDlEz4y2_EXQqreHGeog2KD5KA4PmQfquTtnwKXVaBCpJjgIDYlRF6HdvIKP-Oyz7327MCdOjuqz9gz8VUU/s1600/ARTBBlogAdrianFrog.jpg" /></a></div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-76646184860039567632013-05-23T22:42:00.002+08:002013-11-12T11:29:38.855+08:00The way to art it – writing about art, the Chantown way.<div class="p1">
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As someone who studied both history of art and fine art, I usually approach exhibitions with a few thoughts in mind – technique, understanding and aesthetics. I want to learn but I also want to have an intelligent discourse about the visuals and concepts presented. I also want to indulge in artistic greatness. After all, as a writer, I have easier – and more – access to famous and accomplished artists than I ever had as an artist no longer at university.</div>
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But I live in Hong Kong and I run my own business. So, like most people here, I find it hard to do everything. Sometimes I can't get to all the press events I'm invited to. </div>
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Other times, I go, but don't have time talk to the artists (or they don't have time to talk to me) or i just don't have time to write something proper and interesting. I don't even have time to copyright stamp my images. This blogging lark isn't all roses you know.</div>
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There's something else too. Since moving to Hong Kong, I've become more disillusioned with the art world because I live in close proximity to 'for profit' galleries and their clientele. And I no longer live in a country where the government supports and encourages artistic activities and appreciation of the arts. As an artist I've never been so aware that it's all about luck. There are few places for an emerging artist like me to show, especially where I won't be paying high rents with no hope of sales (even at 50% commission).</div>
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So I've decided to remedy my blog block problem by writing short snippets from the art shows I do attend. Inspired by the style of <span class="s1"><a href="http://thugkitchen.com/" target="_blank">this</a></span> highly popular no-holds-barred food blogger, you can expect honesty (and fewer expletives). These bites make no promise over what will be covered but they will provide personal insights or technical information in a truly digestible, Hong Kong sized format.</div>
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These insightful snapshots of my artistic observances, or Chantown Art <strike>Critique</strike> Critter, will also be tagged with 'Art Critter'. </div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-44276296841313475562013-03-09T12:06:00.001+08:002013-11-12T11:30:16.580+08:00Old vs new: Tong lau or not tong lau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Living in Hong Kong, we all know how difficult it is to rent an apartment with a reasonable sized living room, a bedroom that you can fit more than a double bed in (if you can even fit that), a shower that fits your six foot tall boyfriend and a kitchen where you can swing a cat. </div>
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And if you can find an apartment with such delights, it probably costs the same as your monthly salary, rent or mortgage.</div>
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// In fact, like usual, HK Mag somehow nearly stole my idea for this post. Luckily, they opted to give you some <a href="http://hk.asia-city.com/shopping/article/expert-advice-how-decorate-small-hong-kong-apartment?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HK%20Weekend&utm_content=HK+Weekend%2C+March+1+2013" target="_blank">great ideas on how to manage a small space</a> (whereas I'm trying to figure out how to manage a small budget). //</div>
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The issue with all of this, is that in Hong Kong, prices will always go up, unless something happens due to force majeure – an act of God, like SARS.</div>
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Yes, the government recently made a pretty rubbish effort at blocking out 'foreign' investment, which was driving up prices (READ: Mainlanders paying cash to willing buyers, even for modest apartments in Tin Hau, and then leaving them empty because they don't even need the income from a renter). The problem with that was it somewhat cruelly punished any expats waiting seven years for their permanent residency (PR). </div>
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So how can you get around that? With the mortgage interest rates set so low, thanks to the US, many who bought previously have been living quite comfortably, even renting out apartments for almost double their mortgage repayments. But for those that haven't yet bought, why don't you?</div>
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Oh yes, because the property prices are ridiculously high and never come down. </div>
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I've heard that recently, property agents have seen a reduction in the number of transactions around the Sheung Wan area – so I could presume that the same is the case elsewhere. Another friend is selling his gorgeous and spacious apartment in Midlevels for below the bank valuation amount (this is the amount you can get a mortgage for – though each bank can vary in its valuation). He hasn't had much interest. But the mortgage advisor at the bank told me that while there is no movement, the behaviour in the market is like there's not enough apartments to pick from, so the market remains high.</div>
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Meanwhile, I want to buy an apartment in my beloved neighbourhood of seven years, Sai Ying Pun. For several reasons, it's only recently that I've been able to think about buying an apartment. But now, prices in Sai Ying Pun have soared because the MTR will open here next year. Actually, prices have been steadily rising since the announcement several years ago. </div>
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My old apartment block, Connaught Gardens (高樂花園) is really popular in this area, it has clear views and rises high above the noise, with some apartments overlooking the harbour. When I first lived there seven years ago, it was around HKD 2.2 million to buy an apartment no bigger than 450 square foot. But now, it's about HKD 4.8 million.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKeFSSlPtM4rksjnk4uM5YUxgo3ru2rxFVNozwVvE1OwyemZpzhOct9qg4aaK5Q2HarHzZv07Pse6kQqTvKC4YNaFXl9h6kFUv3YwP2uCFEO_KxOEgjlysvlpolzOx10DV6Dx0EeMEIQ/s1600/url.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKeFSSlPtM4rksjnk4uM5YUxgo3ru2rxFVNozwVvE1OwyemZpzhOct9qg4aaK5Q2HarHzZv07Pse6kQqTvKC4YNaFXl9h6kFUv3YwP2uCFEO_KxOEgjlysvlpolzOx10DV6Dx0EeMEIQ/s1600/url.gif" /></a></div>
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So what do you do, especially if you work from home like me and need a little more room (after all, if you're paying rent or a mortgage, why pay extra for an office space somewhere else, when you can work from home?).</div>
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Usually, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong_lau" target="_blank">tong lau</a> (唐樓), or Chinese building is an option. Chinese buildings are those without elevators, sometimes also without running gas (but the gas tank delivery system here is really efficient). For renters at least, these are usually a bit cheaper and bit larger, with better efficiency gained from not giving so much space to one or more elevator shafts. </div>
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But now days, particularly in areas slated for urban renewal, those apartments are even more expensive. Why? Because the owners want to be able to claim a higher amount when the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) or a developer come knocking. My rent went up every year, over 30% in two years, despite that our two-year lease system implies that you can have two years at the same rate. (This is usually handled with "my son is coming back and needs to move in there." Followed by, "whatever, how much more rent do you want?").</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9-jrdhfwGZKvCelO5RelqKDWodFxvrdFEe135sFtJri9-6xyup7O-o2X9MmwIWvUm8KfwZpSSqTezj39duYCOQeSpWXBvb_e6lr0O2faceshjr2V9mA92NghyphenhyphenLluYYv6E_H2yNLfu0A/s1600/SYPTongLau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9-jrdhfwGZKvCelO5RelqKDWodFxvrdFEe135sFtJri9-6xyup7O-o2X9MmwIWvUm8KfwZpSSqTezj39duYCOQeSpWXBvb_e6lr0O2faceshjr2V9mA92NghyphenhyphenLluYYv6E_H2yNLfu0A/s640/SYPTongLau.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Ok, so back to my original argument – what about buying?</div>
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Well, it all works differently with a tong lau. For starters, around here, they are currently around HKD 5 million in my neighbourhood – more expensive than some new builds (which are admittedly a bit smaller) in this neighbourhood. But the bank valuation is usually more what you'd expect for a tong lau: HKD 2-2.5 million.</div>
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It means you can only get a mortgage for that value, if the bank even offers mortgages on tong lau. And, for a tong lau, you have to pay 50% deposit. Yes, funds you have, not fund you borrow from the bank. And, the bank will only mortgage you a set percentage, like 70%, of their valuation. And only over a period of up to 20 years.</div>
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Here's another snag: Many of them come with tenants already inside. If you take a mortgage under that situation, you also have a whole set of different rules. As a first time PR buyer, you can't apply for additional funding towards your deposit if the apartment has a tenant. And you can't have the same kind of mortgage deal – you have to repay more. </div>
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Confused yet? I am.</div>
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It seems strange to be unable to buy an apartment in the area that was your home for so long. The area where somehow you can afford to rent but not to buy. Do I want to live further out? Not really, not yet. I'm not a fan of Kennedy Town and I don't think their future MTR will change that.</div>
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The block I live on is currently a building site. Most of the neighbourhood is – but my block is about 70% building site. Yet I still want to stay because that's how much I like it here. Move to Kennedy Town and I'm only setting myself up for several more years of dealing with noisy building sites. Did I mention I work from home?</div>
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Hong Kong is home but the government have more than failed on Donald Tsang's promise to make it affordable for up to 90% of the population to own an apartment within this decade. It's hard to see how this can change in Hong Kong.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP297y5VRkZs70JAVrXJ2-e1JouvLPcGESfQvv6z7Ln-hKQqwI1lLID8TrKV9g_q_DKKTjYWKRnnGlcQiJIbLLi_mx-5AnHBbkDaYLzMGMBXumBWtIZUG_eaPmjd2aPsKz7U1PnZIfRs/s1600/GrahamSt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP297y5VRkZs70JAVrXJ2-e1JouvLPcGESfQvv6z7Ln-hKQqwI1lLID8TrKV9g_q_DKKTjYWKRnnGlcQiJIbLLi_mx-5AnHBbkDaYLzMGMBXumBWtIZUG_eaPmjd2aPsKz7U1PnZIfRs/s640/GrahamSt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sometimes friends say that it's wasteful to buy in Hong Kong. Even the friend selling an apartment in Midlevels admits that it's overpriced for what it is. And yes, it's a very certain culture to believe in buying property – very English, very American, not so Euro. But my answer is thus: In Hong Kong, rents will only go up. So why not buy?</div>
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(And there we go, back to the beginning of this post).
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-75321918218330964212013-02-23T13:31:00.001+08:002013-11-18T21:03:09.232+08:00Asia Hotel Art Fair 2013, Mandarin Oriental<div style="text-align: justify;">
An invitation to the Asia Hotel Art Fair (AHAF) press opening is hard to resist – a look at some interesting art <i>and</i> a snoop around the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, checking out various room types? Two of my favourite things in one, couldn't get better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiERFt9YIUzHRYomVuRRYD7Nd84P-OC4tMIhUWqJdj0Zm60TdAfEUMtc5KvuEfZS8L4rxQwbRpuyka9xgU_QalA9xnyggyzPXWvxG4rLWolYBoOP-wN-1udu1iQgva_29Hg087JqU8aAk/s1600/Insta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiERFt9YIUzHRYomVuRRYD7Nd84P-OC4tMIhUWqJdj0Zm60TdAfEUMtc5KvuEfZS8L4rxQwbRpuyka9xgU_QalA9xnyggyzPXWvxG4rLWolYBoOP-wN-1udu1iQgva_29Hg087JqU8aAk/s640/Insta.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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That said, I didn't expect much from this event, not having been before. Over the years I have come to love ARTHK and seen it improve and become more dynamic in terms of what's shown.</div>
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But I was wrong, the AHAF was not boring at all. Showcasing a range of galleries including some smaller independent Hong Kong galleries like <a href="http://blog.above-second.com/" target="_blank">Above Second</a> and <a href="http://www.voxfiregallery.com/home.php" target="_blank">Voxfire</a>, as well as an awesome range of contemporary Korean art and jewellery. I've interviewed quite a few Korean artists now, and they really are a creative bunch.</div>
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The AHAF has been held since 2008, in various hotels across Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul. While it's supposed to help visitors imagine their work at home, I saw property developers walking around trying to fill their new buildings for Tokyo and a number of VIPs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaJOEnIQ92-LsOTIx5UUMgmw1yTKrlIt9FlgEfRrb307Lkmy8jamhjK5ylaucVSg46sIz6wpK4b5Rm9grM2ZzR1d-7UYFRlsvyZz2iGtzrxsONYK2X5typZs_z0Wbj7j6nJxOTfXAhA0/s1600/Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaJOEnIQ92-LsOTIx5UUMgmw1yTKrlIt9FlgEfRrb307Lkmy8jamhjK5ylaucVSg46sIz6wpK4b5Rm9grM2ZzR1d-7UYFRlsvyZz2iGtzrxsONYK2X5typZs_z0Wbj7j6nJxOTfXAhA0/s640/Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But one thing that's undeniable is the price range. Not everything is too expensive for the average person. I nearly fell into buying a piece by Korean artists Park Tea-who. So it's worth visiting if you want to adorn your home – more affordable than ARTHK by far.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Korean artists</span> </b></div>
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Ahn Jun is a highly popular Korean artist, who takes photos of herself on the edge of buildings, including the one where she lives. Here, you can see the Shun Tak center in Sheung Wan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FkaLnCGekJ63E12M3KbutbbXp0ukXmLH4mzGorWsjHnUzBT9Wx_OAsHW9dX4p12DD9PVsaufGw54C9b_zBfTOgfaSabtzXETisZ5v6UjmgJxtwXgnYrX-AINEpTXbaT-LGnYJPYsPR8/s1600/AhnJun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FkaLnCGekJ63E12M3KbutbbXp0ukXmLH4mzGorWsjHnUzBT9Wx_OAsHW9dX4p12DD9PVsaufGw54C9b_zBfTOgfaSabtzXETisZ5v6UjmgJxtwXgnYrX-AINEpTXbaT-LGnYJPYsPR8/s640/AhnJun.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Bae Chan-hyo is another popular Korean artist. His self-portraits remind me of <a href="http://www.yinkashonibarembe.com/" target="_blank">Yinka Shonibare's</a> self portraits like Dairy of a Victorian Dandy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmcLu3VGwYhiUqUoTKdYqnZNUTz7OktYoJmhyrek8kgjAGPzFiNozs9vBzbLz6yEnvCjy0v2eudeg-yEmM2rkD5WFydtlWoIk548-a3AuqyIInXz0smoQzYYbPP9uqUr9oHvhLzVWH2I/s1600/BAEChanHyo624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmcLu3VGwYhiUqUoTKdYqnZNUTz7OktYoJmhyrek8kgjAGPzFiNozs9vBzbLz6yEnvCjy0v2eudeg-yEmM2rkD5WFydtlWoIk548-a3AuqyIInXz0smoQzYYbPP9uqUr9oHvhLzVWH2I/s640/BAEChanHyo624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was pleased to find a bit of Korean whimsy by way of illustration, care of Kim So-hee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1Q_2l8rIRy5b15yx5x6UfJZ984y3vh5GpAV4SSXWeoIO06txzMhO-dsXjyBrG30BNyTmlAZi7U_G6ZSgLoRSoZsjvH7u52_OY_dLqpbanWjWz5j11-jL_N3Y3XuiFQSXsULym_PZA4U/s1600/IlloWhimsyKimSoHee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1Q_2l8rIRy5b15yx5x6UfJZ984y3vh5GpAV4SSXWeoIO06txzMhO-dsXjyBrG30BNyTmlAZi7U_G6ZSgLoRSoZsjvH7u52_OY_dLqpbanWjWz5j11-jL_N3Y3XuiFQSXsULym_PZA4U/s640/IlloWhimsyKimSoHee.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
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But this is the artist who stole my heart, through our shared love of birds. Park Tea-who represented by Nine Gallery on the 4th floor (<b>room 423</b>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB2rgXLXY0yBspbXF5HmfrF4kN5DvdkxQXR-bAyg2nDmXi6d-vsnxlmxIoBXGCuFpIoQs0Qdc3IozUgEv2QpXgtEhdDrcN4Yn4paKM4SV4FN5rtV0sEw_Da7WU9QgnzSYP956UJrsUJw/s1600/ParkTeaWhoNine423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB2rgXLXY0yBspbXF5HmfrF4kN5DvdkxQXR-bAyg2nDmXi6d-vsnxlmxIoBXGCuFpIoQs0Qdc3IozUgEv2QpXgtEhdDrcN4Yn4paKM4SV4FN5rtV0sEw_Da7WU9QgnzSYP956UJrsUJw/s640/ParkTeaWhoNine423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Korean jewellery was a real treat – inspiring, attractive and well-made. Check out <b>room 612</b> and look <a href="http://koreanart21.com/html/CTT/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCDcQPdqMo-j2CmYKOGuWf3A0A2_eyp2rSrsk9B0TrNDVtSfSkyiZQwtmJ5Dfy5LC5nxOOubWEj1tI-UHteuvFN8nd60qbNT43vwlBzkFgIs8r1PpGUKO_A5ikXLgNy_DeVaDnFqAiuE/s1600/KoreanJewel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCDcQPdqMo-j2CmYKOGuWf3A0A2_eyp2rSrsk9B0TrNDVtSfSkyiZQwtmJ5Dfy5LC5nxOOubWEj1tI-UHteuvFN8nd60qbNT43vwlBzkFgIs8r1PpGUKO_A5ikXLgNy_DeVaDnFqAiuE/s640/KoreanJewel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qSHjrdZfqqUrWnoDnG6TWxS8fqJ1cymI63ZEnJXgQTYOVKhpDXSGxbkoHuyPb5CKybDvrjz2crzfzeyvCT64P0Wt6W2ECNjA9PAvUkTqgbGWf41QQ_CCymuiY1wC3jGyv5fuQ-K72iM/s1600/KoreanJewel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qSHjrdZfqqUrWnoDnG6TWxS8fqJ1cymI63ZEnJXgQTYOVKhpDXSGxbkoHuyPb5CKybDvrjz2crzfzeyvCT64P0Wt6W2ECNjA9PAvUkTqgbGWf41QQ_CCymuiY1wC3jGyv5fuQ-K72iM/s640/KoreanJewel2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I want a dog too. But the ring by Shin Moonyoung will do and I presume it's less maintenance...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI03C82YlZxf8emBH4L023_vJFfIvXJ8EMyhLvxJAu8AERpuLLjDzXocKy2clxi97bfVp4h3cMmyKXuqx9eI4N2kMCypz3wsawovIUPvLayItLNoQzCuBhSkXH2VnxySri7uGFWbTSMk/s1600/Walk612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI03C82YlZxf8emBH4L023_vJFfIvXJ8EMyhLvxJAu8AERpuLLjDzXocKy2clxi97bfVp4h3cMmyKXuqx9eI4N2kMCypz3wsawovIUPvLayItLNoQzCuBhSkXH2VnxySri7uGFWbTSMk/s640/Walk612.jpg" width="497" /></a></div>
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They have ceramics too...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqeY3ifMlqFBedV4YnOGiIFQu3X-XiNOcw-On4vSIudgOW9PL38Cg5nqpgDHx04wNoTu8roOF59sw3hyphenhyphengMTxmraqj-eEaA_CqMyfsh3CfX95ZiMipLa94m6kGYShm3VuZcATzc9fXfX4/s1600/CeramicKorean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqeY3ifMlqFBedV4YnOGiIFQu3X-XiNOcw-On4vSIudgOW9PL38Cg5nqpgDHx04wNoTu8roOF59sw3hyphenhyphengMTxmraqj-eEaA_CqMyfsh3CfX95ZiMipLa94m6kGYShm3VuZcATzc9fXfX4/s640/CeramicKorean.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And some interesting things to boot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-rQRK5M-WJQjGGQyICUv7YHUJqEmlns7VFYZCv0tDhObBVRRN8ZpqX21m0123-ezcLnysp_v_-ct-e4FOBknojCFHWxxlvW91J1JuHNligljUir3QTmWmxUoo0Au4vqovXEb6zSTyHg/s1600/WireShoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-rQRK5M-WJQjGGQyICUv7YHUJqEmlns7VFYZCv0tDhObBVRRN8ZpqX21m0123-ezcLnysp_v_-ct-e4FOBknojCFHWxxlvW91J1JuHNligljUir3QTmWmxUoo0Au4vqovXEb6zSTyHg/s640/WireShoe.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgoMUwYy4n3I8Bw3JOV9uBhVEtbX-YDXhQ31buofw2TvI6q-JwieGrI3FPBOemb3qKERtD55CyqlEF20KFPCVymfL03dkfTPast9ojI8vCBogM-sczdKaBqSIvBTn-DNewbhEnaxmO_Y/s1600/WireBag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgoMUwYy4n3I8Bw3JOV9uBhVEtbX-YDXhQ31buofw2TvI6q-JwieGrI3FPBOemb3qKERtD55CyqlEF20KFPCVymfL03dkfTPast9ojI8vCBogM-sczdKaBqSIvBTn-DNewbhEnaxmO_Y/s400/WireBag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hong Kong artists</span> </b></div>
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One of the reasons I wanted to go to the fair was to visit Hong Kong galleries like <a href="http://blog.above-second.com/" target="_blank">Above Second</a>, who were representing <a href="http://www.federicofiorentini.com/site/" target="_blank">Federico Fiorentini</a>, who I love...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrwpX0d4VcYt3THMygcEXiYcXp8gtMwgbMdfHEvngWSka6gP_YjczivdYixM39WXqhyQR6HX4CSQd_26x_247VGq1wlmgEZPi4Pf5OSTzSu_LKXQblMSWCC3fqZy4ob9PQZTxZaMfFRs/s1600/AboveSecond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrwpX0d4VcYt3THMygcEXiYcXp8gtMwgbMdfHEvngWSka6gP_YjczivdYixM39WXqhyQR6HX4CSQd_26x_247VGq1wlmgEZPi4Pf5OSTzSu_LKXQblMSWCC3fqZy4ob9PQZTxZaMfFRs/s640/AboveSecond.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and <a href="http://www.voxfiregallery.com/home.php" target="_blank">Voxfire</a>, who recently had an exhibition featuring my friends <a href="http://dannythegreek.blogspot.hk/" target="_blank">Danny Kostianos</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shannlarssonsart?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Shann Larrson</a>, who is featured in the photo below:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntdXy2uLUmLaDFN6HM8IM4EqIhRLanP3Gi1Sst875csnvsj0i0hMHW3CPxz-WIHAJ0c7uC3qxeh4AFaPdAUzw6bDjATKbYDN9Rz3ORRZMOE-rTqG7HguidbOtUrRjXhsS6UxBoKYzQc8/s1600/ShannLarsson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntdXy2uLUmLaDFN6HM8IM4EqIhRLanP3Gi1Sst875csnvsj0i0hMHW3CPxz-WIHAJ0c7uC3qxeh4AFaPdAUzw6bDjATKbYDN9Rz3ORRZMOE-rTqG7HguidbOtUrRjXhsS6UxBoKYzQc8/s640/ShannLarsson.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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To see my tweets from this event, look <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ahaf&src=typd" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-11317605574619063952013-02-17T23:29:00.000+08:002013-11-12T11:31:22.853+08:00Driving in snow<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>***This blog entry is based on my experience and for guidance only. I cannot be held responsible for the actions of others. If you disagree with the below, please leave a comment.</i></div>
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Living in the warm and comfortable temperatures of Southeast Asia, we’re not used to driving in snow. But while some of us regularly visit the US and Europe, others of us might also visit colder Asian countries like Japan. And snow did fall in Hong Kong in 1975 (ok, only on the mountain tops, but still).</div>
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It’s useful to know how to handle snow, especially for those either out of practice or who are virgins to driving on freshly laid snow. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SGUebDLcvVy3JLFGdAPPNK9zfG9NA68HGMgZ06a1w2K-sXX5ricJBaS_hIT4hkeK2H9eaKPCwfR6_NC1H3CKHLeAFkRZMwuRtdES06uQolGgPuLVxbMJg0pkETkYv4gr7uGa89f79iE/s1600/29_SheffSnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SGUebDLcvVy3JLFGdAPPNK9zfG9NA68HGMgZ06a1w2K-sXX5ricJBaS_hIT4hkeK2H9eaKPCwfR6_NC1H3CKHLeAFkRZMwuRtdES06uQolGgPuLVxbMJg0pkETkYv4gr7uGa89f79iE/s1600/29_SheffSnow.jpg" /></a></div>
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// These tips are for those driving normal, manual cars. If you have snow chains, then you shouldn’t have any major problems, but always watch out for other drivers who might be less practiced or confident at driving in snowy conditions. //</div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Before you drive</b><br />
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You should fully defrost your car, before setting out. With a scraper (which you should always keep in your car) remove as much of the snow as you can before driving – wind-blown snow coming from your vehicle creates a cloud of snow, which reduces visibility for those behind you. Use the defroster on your rear window to help along with the internal AC system. </div>
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Make sure that all of your windscreen wipers have mobility. Use de-icing spray if you need to. It’s also a good idea to make sure that all of your lights are in full working order and that your license plate is visible. </div>
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**It is always advisable to keep a warm blanket inside the car (not the boot) when driving in wintry conditions in case you become stranded. </div>
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**Prepare to take longer than usual to get to your destination and don’t rush. </div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Starting out</b></span></div>
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When driving in snow, you should never use first gear. To start out, use the clutch and gas pedal to hit the bite point in second gear. </div>
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Do not over-rev. This will cause your wheels to spin on the spot, either creating a slushy base or a smooth pad beneath your tyres. If you do get stuck like this (even after you’re started out) don’t hit the brakes hard or you might skid. Try to steer gently to fresher snow or a snow-free area of road. Allow the engine to naturally slow. </div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>While driving</b></span></div>
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Remember that beneath the snow there can be a surface of ice. </div>
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**Black ice is another hazard. It is not usually visible, which is what makes it just so dangerous. </div>
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Never drive too fast and watch how the cars around you are behaving. This can be an early warning for icy patches. On top, you can never rely for the safety or skill of those around you. </div>
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In general, try to drive in the path of those in front of you if it doesn’t appear to have become icy. Note that as the sun goes down, those slushy patches easily become icy so take note of the weather, sun and time of day. </div>
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While slush can seem like a safer path, remember that it also hides ice. Driving on slush is also different to driving in simply wet conditions, so remain careful until you reach roads which are well-thawed and only wet.</div>
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It can be difficult to go up or down hill in snow. While you might assume that upwards would be awkward, downhill is actually more challenging especially if there are cars in front of you, because in slippery conditions, the last thing you should do is hit the brakes or push down the clutch. </div>
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When moving downhill, if you need to slow, allow the engine to naturally rev down by removing your foot from the gas. Steering over fresher snow (as long as it’s not too deep) will also help to give traction and create a friction to slow you. Move down to second gear if you can. </div>
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Should you think that a crash is possible, try to steer towards the curb (assuming you are not moving too fast and there are no pedestrians walking by or trees to hit head-on). If you are at a safe low speed and only skidding, the curb will help to slow you. </div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Braking</b></span></div>
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If you do need to brake in the snow, remember that you could skid. Press on the brake gently and allow the car to slow. Then, release the brake and reapply. Don’t hit the brakes with sudden force and don’t push down the clutch until you are nearing a stop because a sudden force on the brakes with the clutch down is more than likely to let you skid. </div>
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Skidding</b></span></div>
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If you do skid, particularly while braking, then remove your foot from the brakes. Check that you have not automatically pushed down the clutch. If possible, move to a lower gear – if engaging the clutch won’t make you skid more. </div>
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Don’t try to steer the car, this will encourage the wheels to spin on the spot, which is why you are skidding. As above, press on the brakes lightly and at short intervals to allow the car to slow. </div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Aftercare </b><br />
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Once you have reached your destination, try to store the vehicle in a covered area or garage.</div>
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Remember that countries susceptible to ice and snow tend to grit roads, using salt among other things. Salt and water will quickly irritate the metals on the underside of your car, causing rust spots, so it’s advisable to regularly wash your car in a proper car wash during the winter months. </div>
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Travel safe and take care! </div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-61085429669691370222013-02-08T10:44:00.000+08:002013-11-12T11:31:38.785+08:00We Just Clicked – online dating in Hong Kong<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dating is never easy, even for the best of us. In Hong Kong, it somehow seems harder and I don't think it's just because of the population mis-balance – we currently have the worst on record in Hong Kong, with official figures reporting only 876 men to every 1000 women.<!--EndFragment--></div>
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Here's a story I wrote for SCMP.</div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-92219059390947888542012-09-16T00:10:00.000+08:002013-11-04T18:54:51.972+08:00Switch Off and Listen<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love music. All kinds. The scene in Hong Kong has changed a lot over the last six or so years, but despite it getting generally better, I still take my hat off to those who get up there and perform, no matter how great the crowd. No matter how great the talent. Hey, sometimes I'm one of those people.</div>
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Joshua Thomson is a British artist who has come to Hong Kong and set up an Avante-Garde vinyl-only record label, which plans to also publish limited edition themed newspapers. Sounds like my cup of tea.</div>
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Follow him <a href="https://twitter.com/platinummetres" target="_blank">@platinummetres</a></div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-89772919080023061132012-07-27T18:48:00.000+08:002013-11-13T22:22:54.256+08:00The olympics are coming and HK feels the love...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chatting with my cousin a couple of weeks ago, he expressed concern that perhaps the Olympics weren't happening because there was a severe lack of in-yer-face advertising and sponsorship products here in Hong Kong.</div>
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I know what he means, even in the 80s I remember collecting the plastic insides of Coke bottle tops, with illustrations of Sammy the Eagle... and being given a large and miniature plush of Sammy (I fell in love with him).</div>
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I suppose since the 2008 Olympics were held in Beijing and – according to The Economist – Hong Kongers felt most Chinese and patriotic about the Mainland then, whereas this year, they now feel as little Chinese (or patriotic) as ever.</div>
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I have to admit, that although I made a plan to avoid the UK during the Olympics, when I did visit in June I was quite surprised by the effort made to celebrate and promote the Jubilee and Olympics – all part of the Great British Summer, as it's been officially tagged.</div>
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So, when, on my first weekend back in HK I came across 'Little Britain' in Times Square, I was highly bemused. The effort was sweet and of course, certain details were completely wrong...</div>
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locals seemed to love it.</div>
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With a slight HK irony of the Olympics being held in Beijing and then London, I wonder if Hong Kongers now feel more British than ever, especially given how delighted most people were with the last election and CY Leung.</div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-64013202576234209712012-07-27T18:00:00.000+08:002013-11-12T11:37:53.765+08:00Only in Hong Kong...<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lots of little strange things happen here and while some things may not be strange in other places, I say that context can be everything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fong Sui master</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mar 2013, Blessing the building.</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1u6TKNiXSOYU-Dm3wotwqcLK2Wgz3sjK3kaT-jmnWVALpUkSWwyW0sStpBDaDvANDHqhx10I0Ox9_7JTbAhnhi3_uSvBBtMAoHekTCKh3r58JJHwCGVOeNleAIY_SlXTb3Kza6NjN_o/s1600/FengShui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1u6TKNiXSOYU-Dm3wotwqcLK2Wgz3sjK3kaT-jmnWVALpUkSWwyW0sStpBDaDvANDHqhx10I0Ox9_7JTbAhnhi3_uSvBBtMAoHekTCKh3r58JJHwCGVOeNleAIY_SlXTb3Kza6NjN_o/s640/FengShui.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Unsustainable efficiency</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 2013, courtesy of friend</b></span></span><br />
So Hong Kong.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyzgedhrGLMghsTeuF-HYs8KLkFhrxyke3Jin1KzICf7V8-76X9dMoxedA5i-eVhJd86K3lDh5-K-fCmf2PzVg4Crd52j9DA8AKTovqZux1wuoogBPuhasFOy4ayyv0g9jlvnTE4OpoY/s1600/539485_10151239686931981_686100718_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyzgedhrGLMghsTeuF-HYs8KLkFhrxyke3Jin1KzICf7V8-76X9dMoxedA5i-eVhJd86K3lDh5-K-fCmf2PzVg4Crd52j9DA8AKTovqZux1wuoogBPuhasFOy4ayyv0g9jlvnTE4OpoY/s1600/539485_10151239686931981_686100718_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">True efficiency</b><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jan 2013</b></span></span></div>
Ok, this picture doesn't show it all – but this is an outdoor market stall, leaning against the side of a building. I love that this stall owner has a computer linked up, ready to do her book keeping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvK-jfMGm7taZXvNlsR7dVXnAE5dYjecGlvLjsn_iyhH6wEhxs6YSPRdwn2YWiFd1L9TUEg_qVN39LI7vHintW02Megpa7SGKY2bRj_bjGaNNBq_TSzroSnUAu2lkYGDEKLEzwbzNUno/s1600/Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvK-jfMGm7taZXvNlsR7dVXnAE5dYjecGlvLjsn_iyhH6wEhxs6YSPRdwn2YWiFd1L9TUEg_qVN39LI7vHintW02Megpa7SGKY2bRj_bjGaNNBq_TSzroSnUAu2lkYGDEKLEzwbzNUno/s1600/Blog.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;">Shopping in HK and my iPhone are one big cliché</b></div>
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There's really nothing more to say.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hot teenagers and their <strike>summer</strike> wet dreams </b></span></span></div>
July 2012<br />
One lovely Saturday morning, I set off for a boat trip with some friends. While waiting for them to pull round from the AMC, two wooden junks rocked up. Since I had a wait, I couldn't help but notice the name of one junk, Wet Dreams. <br />
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Ok so is that a Chinglish thing, or a joke? Hard to say. <br />
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But it made my day that when the passengers arrived, they were none other than a string of skinny international school-looking teenagers. Complete with a sound system. As it turned out, they'd hired a DJ from Drop, to surprise a friend for his birthday. The other junk in their picture was their dance floor.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WTF can't people in Hong Kong sort and recycle?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>July 2012</b></span></span></div>
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See my <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m73fm0C5HN1rsu1ozo1_1280.png">rant</a> in the wonderful Hong Kong zine, <a href="http://cloakdaggerhk.tumblr.com/">Cloak and Dagger</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Seriously expensive yoghurt </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>June 2012</b></span></span></div>
Ok so yoghurt is never cheap here but this tiny pot of Australian yoghurt, which is the closest western producer of such fine dairy goods, is the most expensive single-serve I've ever seen. It's at least £3.50. It's good, but nothing is that good!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cardboard café</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 2012</b></span></span></div>
This cha chan teng in Central is entirely clad in cardboard. As the lift doors open, it seems like a shop selling presumably recycled goods. But in fact, there's a cha chan teng serving area neatly hidden behind some cardboad bookshelves.<br />
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Visit at 9F, 11 Stanley St, Central</div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The fight against dropping</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 2012</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Don't have fun at the beach </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jan 2012</b></span></span></div>
In response to a range of noise complaints on the south side, regarding noise pollution from beach bars, the wise and wonderful Hong Kong government have decided to close a number of cafés and bars on beaches. It seems ironic now, that my complaint before was the lack of a decent deli at any of the beaches.<br />
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But it's been the entire winter and more, since the Thai place at Deep Water Bay closed, and there's been building going on. But nothing new has popped in it's place. What a huge, huge waste of space. And I might add, there are no residents adjacent to Deep Water Bay. Duh.</div>
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<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;">Trash can crime scene</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jan 2012</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br /></span><b style="color: #ff99ff; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life ring – on the 20-somethingth floor</span></b><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dec 2011</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weight machine - classifieds<br />Oct 2011</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Dairy – HK style</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Sept 2011</span></span></span></b><br />
I thought that most Chinese people didn't really 'do' dairy, hence such products being over-priced or local versions being a bit rubbish.<br />
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But how this is appetising, especially on a hot day, I just don't know.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thankfully, this will never be lost.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bruce who? Roll over Uma, I'm taking care of this one.<br />June 2011</span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>Could we add more irony?<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tone Down Your Voice<br />April 2011</span></b></span></span><br />
It's true – it's loud here.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br /></span><b style="color: #ff99ff; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beach Digger</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 2011</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">H</span></span><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-size: 100%;">ealth & Safety-free Zone</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 2011</b></span></span><br />
As if climbing that ladder with no-one to stabilise the bottom – and then climb onto the edge with no barrier isn't scary enough, two Banner Ad Implementation Workers (is that PC enough?) then climbed behind the banner to enable the removal. Albeit, behind the ad is probably the safest place for them and provides some kind of Jackie Chan-style stunt-action should they fall, it reaches to the third storey.<br />
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That said, this is a fishing country and most fishermen here can't swim.<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: lucida grande;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Naked Lady (what else can I say?)<br />March 2011</b></span></span><br />
This one came courtesy of a friend. She witnessed the woman depicted stop her car during a busy Monday morning in Central, take her clothes off and stand naked on top of her car.<br />
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Ok, so this might happen in other places, but the fact that it happened here is what's so amazing!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span>Strangely, we couldn't find any news reports about this...<br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;"><b>Golden Dragon<br />September 2010</b></span><br />
Checking out some taps on Lockhart Road, Wan Chai.<br />
To be sure, this tap costs HKD $25,800. No kidding.<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fight Club<br />August 2010</b></span></span><br />
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As I said – <a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2010/03/chinese-people-love-to-fight.html">Chinese people love to fight</a>!<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 100%;"><br /><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Frozen Coke<br />August 2010</b></span></span><br />
Getting shaved ice at 12.15am from the local desert shop... eating it on a step nearby... getting in the car to drive to the only frozen coke vending machine in HK.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/tunhan/BLOG/FrozeCokeMachine-close.png" /><br />
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We followed the instructions, taking a quaff before closing the bottle and tipping it upside down to watch the ice form... it worked pretty well, but I've heard it's hit and miss. Best of all, imagine all the extra chemicals we must be consuming in this latest artificial offering!<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Bagpipes</span><br /><span style="color: #ff99ff;">July 2010</span></span></b></span><br />
Walking through Sai Wan (西環) on a Sunday, to see a Chinese man practicing bagpipes – playing Amazing Grace and in full kilt, no less – in the garage of a kindergarten.<br />
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-42599009633113428182012-07-16T17:19:00.000+08:002014-05-26T18:26:23.453+08:00NTRST1NG NBR PL8S<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hardcore</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sheung Wan, Hong Kong<br />2014</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jadeite
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Central, Hong Kong<br />2012</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Airbus (a French person, a lover of airplanes?)</b></span></span><br />
<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Central, Hong Kong</b><br />
<b style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012</b><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 85%;"><b><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/tunhan/BLOG/BLOG_NmbrAirbus.jpg" /></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Puragold</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Central, Hong Kong<br />2012</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 85%;"><b><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/tunhan/BLOG/Puragold.jpg" /> </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>HIP HOP<br />Central, Hong Kong<br />2012</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>MUSIC<br />Clockenflap, Hong Kong<br />2011</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/tunhan/BLOG/Blog_NmbrMUSIC.jpg" /></span></span><span style="color: #ff99ff;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I Believe</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hong Kong<br />2011</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>S1MBA (Someone loves the Lion King)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">LKF, Hong Kong<br />2011<br /><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/tunhan/BLOG/Simba_BLOG.jpg" /></span></span><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff99ff;">RANGERS<br />LKF, Hong Kong<br />2010</span><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br /><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/tunhan/BLOG/Rangers_Plate_Blog.jpg" /></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Z GUNDAM</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mid Levels, Hong Kong</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SCARFACE<br />LKF, Hong Kong<br />2009</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SNAKACHE<br />Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong<br />2009</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>U R GOD<br />San Francisco (CA), USA<br />2009</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>U R XCUSD<br />San Francisco (CA), USA<br />2009</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 85%;"><b>© 2009-2012 Vickie Chan</b></span></span></span>Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-51213231843982997742012-05-25T00:20:00.000+08:002013-11-04T18:55:31.139+08:00Otherwise Engaged: Hitotzuki, Suitman, Sticky Monster Lab<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes, it's who you meet that makes writing such an interesting job. Especially if you're an artist, meeting a fellow artist – as a writer. Does that even make sense? I've noticed how great Korean design is and how quietly passionate the Japanese artists are. Here are a few that I interviewed for an exhibition hosted by K11 art mall in Tsim Sha Tsui.<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-46648964547466308872012-05-24T19:50:00.002+08:002013-11-13T22:32:00.579+08:00Mobile M+: Yau Ma Tei (西九龍文娛藝術區)<div style="text-align: justify;">
In building interest, excitement and support of the West Kowloon Cultural District, Mobile M+: Yau Ma Tei (西九龍文娛藝術區) is the first in a series of nomadic exhibitions, curated by M+, the new museum proposed for visual culture.</div>
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The series of exhibitions include seven Hong Kong-based artists: Leung Mee-ping, Erkka Nissinen, Pak Shueng-chuen, Tsang Kin-wah, Yu Lik-wai, and collaborators Kwan Sheung-chi and Wong Wai-yin. Works can be viewed from May 15th to June 10th, 2012 and there are various artist talks throughout.</div>
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It's no surprise that the proposed district needs to build interest, excitement and support because the project has been sprinkled throughout the news for years, with various issues from proposals to planning. The first proposal in 2006 was overturned due to lack of planning and bad financing models. Luckily, it seems like art, cultural activities and visiting galleries could yet become a natural part of Hong Kong culture.</div>
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I was pleased that the venture produced an exhibition app with interactive map but it sadly appears that some issues invaded the first Mobile M+ project. And it wasn't mobile. The art was static, the viewers were mobile. So while some theme seemed to fit the displays, it's not that the pieces are moved around the city, reaching a wider audience (i.e. the more lazy or heat-fearing).</div>
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Finding addresses anywhere in Hong Kong is difficult enough, especially in areas like Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei. There's less signage on street corners, numbers don't always run in apparent succession and it's hot and crowded, which can make the most intent want to give up. Unfortunately, so will using the Mobile M+ app. </div>
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Starting in Mongkok, I couldn't find the Hong Kong Reader Book Store or 68 Sai Yeung Choi St South (site 10). I can read enough Chinese to match the book store sign in either language, but still no luck. I found No. 66 – and with seven flights to walk on a hot day, I gave up. </div>
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Moving on to G/F, 16–24a Waterloo Rd *enter on Portland St (site 2) to see Kwan Sheung-chi and Wong Wai-yin's collaboration, I doggedly followed the app map. </div>
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Exit B2, Yau Ma Tei. I stared at shops and numbers, I tried to spot some art, but nothing. I may have found 16 Portland St but not 16-24 Waterloo Rd. Near ready to leave, I double checked the address with my iPhone map and the site was on the other side of Waterloo Rd (X marks the spot), which you can only cross at the intersection because it's a main carriageway with cement dividers. </div>
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Kwan Sheung-chi and Wong Wai-yin's To Get a Gold Coin is a simple but great idea. Vote for your core values for Hong Kong and then choose whether to keep the real gold coin, or symbolically toss it into the harbour. Just the ratio of those two choices interest me, regardless of the best 'value' that's offered. It's such the Hong Kong conundrum. Preserve, love or get rich fast.</div>
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Luckily the info hub (site 1) and Yu Lik-wai's work (site 12) were opposite, in the same building as each other, on the same street. </div>
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I particularly liked the use of space and Yu's dramatic use of imagery, overlapping old and new, referencing Hong Kong living spaces and people.</div>
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Also nearby on Portland St, sites 3 and 4 showed interesting nostalgia work by Leung Mee-ping. The recycling shop was perhaps my favourite, for so many reasons. The subtlety of the art work in situ, the explanations of those posters – it just fit seamlessly into normal Yau Ma Tei. </div>
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The thought of seeing his installation in the public sitting area lit at night was really exciting, but Mobile M+ finishes at 7pm, so I can only presume, those antiques aren't workable.</div>
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Uncle Po Bible Calligraphy (site 8) was a near miss – the TV screen was barely noticeable, perhaps because it wasn't showing Pak Sheung-chuen's work – it was blank. Wandering along to site 9 to see Pak Sheung-chuen's other work, all I could see was a white tent with fencing and chained gates, along with some Mobile M+ signage – but no art. Continuing to Kansu St to see Tsang Kin-wah's piece, I gave up. I couldn't find that one either. </div>
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While the app was frustrating to use, it's good to see digital developments and I think Mobile M+ could encourage more galleries and Hong Kong Art Fair (or Art Basel, Hong Kong) to develop apps themselves. I also wondered why the map numbered pieces all over the geographical place. Were we supposed to view them in order? Technical writers are titled as such, for a reason. Good dissemination of information.</div>
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The art that I did see from this exhibition was interesting and it's always a pleasure to see more Hong Kong artists being talked about (at #ARTHK12, I heard lots of comments about the opening night of Mobile M+). It would be nice to see a wider range of artists in the field and as time passes, hopefully we will. </div>
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For more information about the exhibition, visit the Mobile M+ <a href="http://www.wkcda.hk/mobile-mplus%20">site</a>. Use maps at own risk.</div>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-79809063189030184652012-05-18T00:16:00.000+08:002013-03-05T00:17:08.197+08:00The social side to social media - MeetupsSocial media meetup groups are actually a great way to meet new people and it beats online dating – if you're a bit more shy than that. Plus, you can try all sorts of new things. That, and that the HK Twitter crowd are the friendliest people I've met in a while.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #ff99ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-15274814479016424942012-05-16T01:11:00.000+08:002013-11-04T18:56:22.132+08:00I Call You Nancy – Tang Kwok Hin @ Mandarin Oriental<div style="color: #999999; text-align: center;">
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The Mandarin Oriental is the official hotel sponsor of the Hong Kong Art Fair this year. As such, not only is there a range of interesting food menus throughout the hotel, but in partnership with <a href="http://www.ajc-art.com/artists/TangKwokHin/biography/">Contemporary by Amelia Johnson</a>, the <a href="http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong/dining/bars_and_lounge/clipper_lounge/">Clipper Lounge</a> is also host to a specially commissioned exhibition, I Call You Nancy, by upcoming Hong Kong artist, <a href="http://tangkwokhin.blogspot.com/">Tang Kwok Hin</a>.</div>
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Tang’s work is inspired by Hong Kong, creating an unmistakably nostalgic flavour, which locates the audience exactly where Tang needs them to be in order to feel what he feels. I Call You Nancy is based around Tang's made-up stories about a real sister that his mother never gave birth to, due to China's One Child Policy. While the subject matter appears to be sad, Tang masters an uplifting feeling of sensitivity, wonder and hope. </div>
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Liking the idea that by searching on Google, he could find the same images from any IP address in the world, Tang found images online to create fake memories and keepsakes about Nancy. "I liked the idea of taking public images and making a private album," he explains. </div>
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The first step in the journey is a frame full of images of 'Nancy' – but in all the images, the face is hidden or blurred. Who is Nancy? Walking through the exhibition, the audience begins to feel who she is. "I imagined she loves music, so I created these albums for her," he says. Framed in card, four sheets of glass represent a vinyl record. Images are layered in-between different layers, creating different depths and a range of blurs and illusions. Giraffes reach for the trees, leaves branch down and spacemen on ladders stretch for fruit they can't reach. The 'album' is called Grapple-vity – a combination of gravity and apple. "I wanted it to be about reaching for the sky," he explains. Which, if anything, is surely about hopeful dreaming.</div>
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Other pieces in the exhibition include a video of Tang's mother leafing through a photograph album of Nancy. He originally wanted to present the album, but the location made it impractical. In many ways, the video is more poignant, creating the real experience of Nancy. His mother cried during the filming, he says.</div>
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A stamp collection showcases images that Nancy might like, including child-like fairy tale characters like Snow White. Later, a map of the world – the one that Nancy inhabits – sandwiches unrecognisable lands between glass. Strange place names are printed on multiple levels so it's not just unclear, it's dizzying.</div>
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In other pieces, find different kinds of houses found around the world. Or her journeys to work and school, her different jobs. As well as being a music-lover, Tang says he imagines Nancy left to study overseas but hasn't returned, that she is a little eccentric, so he can forgive her for not contacting them. In the pieces, Nancy is always there, hidden. Another piece shows a cabinet of keepsakes and ornaments that Nancy might own – including a photo of Tang as a boy. At the end, 24 nancies collide in one piece, showing her different characteristics in one complete piece, with the backdrop of a tree and placed between wood and glass. Nature and the family tree is so strong in this piece that it's organic. </div>
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Thanks to Tang, Nancy has a life and a world all of her own. Each piece ties together different recurring elements, giving continuity in this imaginary life. "Mum tells me she would have named you Hung-jin (紅嫣). Dad still talks of the daughter he never knew. Doing this work I thought about her a lot and I feel her." </div>
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Tang was raised – and still lives – in one of Hong Kong’s last remaining walled villages, Kam Tin. Aged 28, Tang was acclaimed as Young Artist of the Year by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council in 2010 and won first prize at the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Biennale in 2009. He was also selected as a finalist for the Asian Sovereign Art Prize in both 2010 and 2011 and for the international Arte Laguna Art Prize in Venice during 2011. </div>
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After looking at Tang's work, visitors can enjoy an ART afternoon tea (3pm–6pm, Monday–Saturday; 3:30pm–6pm, Sunday – until May 26th). Michelin Star chef, Uwe Opocensky, created special cakes, inspired by Tang's collaged work (and the chocolate matchbox ganache is wonderful). </div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Other Hong Kong Art Fair related posts<span style="font-size: small;">:</span></b></span></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2012/05/arthk-2012.html">ARTHK 12</a> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2012/05/top-ten-tips-for-surviving-hong-kong.html">Top ten tips for surviving the fair</a></li>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-49745818787905137652012-05-15T17:15:00.001+08:002013-11-04T18:56:39.731+08:00Hong Kong Art Fair #ARTHK 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
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In it's fifth year, the Hong Kong Art Fair is as successful as ever. During 2011, Art Basel (or, the company behind it) bought a 60% stake in the fair, which according to Fair Director, Magnus Renfrew, "secures us as an advanced art fair. It's exciting. We worked hard to make this big and Art Basel guarantees that."</div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Here's a list of posts about ARTHK:</span></span></div>
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<li><a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2012/05/top-ten-tips-for-surviving-hong-kong.html">Ten top tips for surviving the fair (no matter how much we love it)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2012/05/i-call-you-nancy-tang-kwok-hin-mandarin.html">Afternoon tea with Tang Kwok Hin @ the Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong (a special menu and exhibition for ARTHK12)</a></li>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081898516045547500.post-42862251825688964282012-05-15T17:09:00.001+08:002013-11-04T18:56:54.713+08:00Top ten tips for surviving Hong Kong Art Fair<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://www.hongkongartfair.com/%20">Hong Kong Art Fair</a> opens doors to the public this Thursday (May 17th). Each year, the fair grows in size and impact. So here are some tips on making the most of your visit to #arthk.</div>
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Don't go with a hangover, get a good night's sleep and be in the mood for it. To get in the mood, browse any local paper or magazine for news of the fair, or tease yourself with an imaginary shopping list to fill your house on the Peak.</div>
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There are lots of elegant and stylish flats around at the moment, so don't kill your feet for art's sake. If you have an event after, take heels with you. Scheduling a foot massage afterwards is perfect – and you can chat with your friend about which pieces you liked the most.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff;">3. Timing is everything.</span></span></b></span></div>
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Try to avoid the crowds for a quieter experience and better viewing quality. Even at weekends, it's worth getting there for the midday opening as most people go after lunch. Give yourself a minimum of two hours if you want to see a handful of what's there. If you like to stop and stare, make it the bulk of your day.</div>
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If you go early, treat yourself afterwards to an ART afternoon tea at the <a href="http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong/dining/bars_and_lounge/clipper_lounge/">Mandarin Oriental Clipper Lounge</a> (3pm–6pm, Monday–Saturday; 3:30pm–6pm, Sunday). Local emerging artist <a href="http://tangkwokhin.blogspot.com/">Tang Kwok Hin</a>'s <a href="http://www.ajc-art.com/artists/TangKwokHin/page1/">exhibition</a> "I call you Nancy" is located around the room and inspired some of the delicious treats.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/tunhan/BLOG/ARTHK12-AfternoonTeaSetHighRes.jpg" /></span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff;">4. Hong Kongers drink enough bottled water a year to fill IFC. Hydrate.</span></span><span style="color: #999999;"><i></i></span></b></span></div>
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A large room with UV lighting and air-con could dehydrate a camel. Take your own or buy there, but sip regularly. Typically, toilets are located and top and bottom ends of the hall. There's a map <a href="http://www.chantown.com/Blogfiles/ARTHK12FloorPlan.pdf">here</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff;">5. A family af-fair</span></span></b></span></div>
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Kids are welcome at the fair so it can be a family day out. But the fair is huge. Allow toddlers to have a little run at aisle ends and take a stroller so they can fall asleep. Older kids might want to take part in activities or move on ahead/ hang back. Colour My World offer activities at the fair (<a href="http://www.colour-my-world.com/pages/Art%20hk%2012.html">details</a>).</div>
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Have a fixed meeting point and/or in case you get separated – so everyone can enjoy the art at their own pace.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff;">6. Wander freely... or plan ahead</span></span><span style="color: #999999;"><i></i></span></b></span></div>
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Wonder freely or highlight artists and galleries you want to visit. But amazing as it is, art can satiate you, so don't force yourself to look at every piece if it will make you become blasé.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff;">7. Come up for air</span></span></b></span></div>
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If you want to see it all, take your time and break in-between, or make two separate visits. There are various venders in the fair and other restaurants at <a href="http://www.hkcec.com/catering-and-dining/dining-hkcec">HKCEC</a>. Taking your own snacks would be forgiven. I vote for a brownie or cookie treat, along with good coffee. Sadly, <a href="http://www.verochocolates.com/">VERO</a> won't be returning this year – but the lounge is located close-by, at <a href="http://www.verochocolates.com/page/vero-lounge">Fenwick Pier</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff;">8. Shop 'til you drop.</span></span><span style="color: #999999;"><i> </i></span></b></span></div>
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If you're planning to buy and see something you like, don't expect to easily find the gallery space again. The fair is huge, so take a business card and note the exhibition space number as well as taking visual references. According to Fair Director, Magnus Renfrew, 40% of sales take place after the fair, so don't feel pressured to make a purchase on the spot.</div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0099ff;">9. Exit strategy.</span><i> </i></b></span></div>
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Enough is enough and your body will tell you whether it wants to stay or not. But getting out of HKCEC can take a while if you head the wrong way (and their own <a href="http://www.hkcec.com.hk/venue-information/hkcec-floor-plans-2">floorplan</a> isn't that helpful). Figure out if you're taking a taxi, MTR or walking and know in advance which exit you want. Expect long taxi queues at peak times, especially when the doors are closing.</div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>10. Eat and drink 'til your heart's content.</b></span></span></div>
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After the fair, it might well be time to eat. If it's dinner time, the Mandarin Oriental are also serving an ART menu in the <a href="http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong/dining/restaurants/mandarin_grill/">Grill + Bar</a>. Michelin-starred chef Uwe Opocensky is serving dishes like Sculpture, Graffiti, Photography, Painting and Music – so your day can end with art. In fact, the dinner includes a ticket to the fair (execpt Sunday May 20th), so you could go there the night before... but see point 1.</div>
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On the other hand, if you just purchased an expensive piece of art and need a stiff drink, head straight to M Bar for an ART cocktail. Future is a whiskey sour with a molecular twist, Asia One has a yuzu twist with a dash of lychee and Art is champagne with fruity end.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #0099ff;">Other Hong Kong Art Fair related posts<span style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2012/05/arthk-2012.html">ARTHK 12</a> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2012/05/i-call-you-nancy-tang-kwok-hin-mandarin.html">Tang Kwok Hin's I Call You Nancy exhibition and afternoon tea at Clipper Lounge</a> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.chantown.com/2012/05/top-ten-tips-for-surviving-hong-kong.html">Top ten tips for surviving the fair</a></li>
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Chantownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884379256621528397noreply@blogger.com0