Tourist Art
Have been having a few discussions about tourist art. As an artist visiting another country/culture it is very easy to fall into the trap of producing tourist art. The overwhelming experience can tempt you in this direction, but it is important to keep these responses private not public! I have seen this kind of work shown in galleries several times [not only in China but Australia as well] and it is very bland and superficial for local populations. While responding to the experience is important, having a solid direction and intent assists with avoiding this pitfall! [With any luck I am avoiding it myself…]
And
The ingenuity evident on every street corner is great. People adapt their vehicles [bicycles, beng beng, motorbikes etc] to the job required. The sense of community in Tuanjiehu Park continues to entice me to visit most warm evenings. Never have I experienced such a gentle and unthreatening feeling amongst so many people crowded into one place – it is lovely and addictive.
