Panjiayuan

One of the records at this stall is a song entitled "We Will Liberate Taiwan" which in Chinese 我们一定要解放台湾 sounds a good deal more forceful, closer to "We will definitely liberate Taiwan"

The Restricted Sisters

went to see a friend's band play the other night at Two Colegas Bar and after they played there was special appearance by drag queen ensemble The Restricted Sisters. Rail-thin skinny and a little rough around the edges but with lots of costume changes, dancing and witty banter, it was a fun ride and well worth sticking around for (esp for the photos, of course).

passport photo

I am currently in the process of extending my visa here to finish out my Fulbright (ugh, long story). In any case, had to go get some color passport photos since all I have are black and white ones and the visa company requires color. Not knowing where to go, they recommended a Kodak shop nearby. I guess I just expected the American- style-stand-up-against-the-wall-while-the-guy behind-the-counter-pulls-out-a-polaroid-and-unceremoniously-takes-your-picture...well not this time. I had never been into one of these places before, which from the outside look like little photo shops to buy film, memory cards, albums, etc plus a few computer terminals for printing out photos. And that is pretty much what it is, for the most part, EXCEPT for when you ask for passport photos and then you get taken into the huge photo studio in the back. It was a full on professional photo studio (one room for color and one room for black and white--each the size of an studio apartment) with an old timer posted there waiting for someone like me to come in and need their photo taken. Judging from the glossy candy-colored posters on the walls in the waiting area, I gather that most of his clients are young children. Anyway, he instructed me to use the mirror outside the door to "fix myself up" and though I was tempted to use the comb on a string attached to the mirror, I opted against it. After sitting me down and aiming the lights and diffusers all correctly, it was all pro photo portrait instructions from then on out--button up my shirt, turn my head a bit to the left, chin up, eyes forward, smile a little and so on. It sure took me back to grade school photo day...and all this for a passport photo! He snapped off a few and then had me look and choose (ok so it is not so old-school that he isn't using a digital camera) and then told me to wait outside. seven minutes later I walked away with 6 passport sized yet studio perfect portraits for the low low price of 28RMB (less than $5). nice!

Massive new art space #5837 opening in Beijing

It seems everyday I hear of another gallery or art space opening in Beijing. This latest one comes from the editor of Contemporary Art and Investment magazine and the space is in the 798 art district. I bumped into him the other day and he took me to see it. It is scheduled to open early next year...but as you can see, the factory is still in operation. Apparently in addition to renting the space they had to pay a bunch of money upfront to the factory owners since they are displacing them. Not sure what exactly they make in here but the space is pretty amazing.


exterior


front space




back space


courtyard