It is true. Those who know me know I have a great love for narrative fiction – in particular science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and the like. However, my thirst for knowledge is as strong as my desire to imagine. For me, working on docs has proved to be one of the best ways in which I can learn about the world. And as they say nothing is better than getting it straight from the horse’s mouth.
Case in point. I just completed shooting some segments for a Franco-Chinese collaborative film about contemporary Chinese artists titled “Tigers & Pandas” co-directed by Chinese director Sheng Zhimin and French director Emma Tassy and produced by Artline Films in Paris.
This film explores and contrasts the inner workings of both the Chinese and Western art systems as well as penetrating the dual identities of Chinese artists who are simultaneously both the predator and the exotic – both “tiger” and “panda.” thus the title.
Emma came to San Francisco to interview two international Chinese artists, Ya Pei Ming and Xing Danwen and international curator Hou Hanru.
Ya Pei Ming is a Chinese/French painter. He was born in Shanghai but moved to France in 1980. He is known internationally for his larger-than-life, portraits of political and cultural icons. I had the opportunity to meet him and view his newest paintings while filming at his exhibition titled “Yes!” currently on display at the Walter McBean Gallery at the San Francisco Art Institute.
In Xing Dawen’s Urban Fiction series she presents monumental photographs of real life corporate maquettes that have been created to promote real-estate development being planned in China today. In these maquettes, she places smaller images of characters (all played by herself) to imagine what life might be like in such spaces. I had the pleasure to view her art and the work of other Chinese artists while filming at the “imPOSSIBLE!” group exhibition at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery.
Hou Hanru is one of the first curators and thinkers to examine postmodern issues of nomadic identity, hybridity, globalized mobility, what he calls “in-betweeness” (or what I call the liminal zone) and artists living in the diaspora. He helped organize both shows at both spaces as part of a larger ongoing discussion he carries on via these exhibitions. If you get the opportunity get the catalogue for the “Wherever We Go” exhibition from the McBean gallery at SFAI. That was also a great show (from what I can tell from the book) and the exhibition catalogue is filled with lots of images from artists all over the world and great essays on this subject too.
Though this particular angle on this discourse has been happening in the world for some time now, I’m just learning of the work of these three and of the contemporary Chinese arts scene. There is so much to learn in this world and I’m not afraid to admit I don’t know everything. I love the fact that there is always something more to know. Gotta love docs!
“Tigers & Pandas” will be airing on French & German television sometime in October 2009 on Channel Arte. Check it!
side note:
True there is much one may learn from the subject of a documentary but often times I’m learning just as much from the crew I’m working with as well. I’ve just relocated to the Bay Area and “Tigers & Pandas” was my first gig here thanks to a referral from a colleague of mine, Scott Stevenson. By the way thanks Scott!
On this particular shoot I had the pleasure of working with sound man Fred Runner.
What’s great about Fred is the breadth of knowledge he has about the Bay Area and it’s history. He was, after all, born and raised here. When Fred’s not on set he’s bit of a local historian and tour guide. Once Fred discovered that this was Emma’s first time to the States and I was new to the area he quickly began to fill us in about his town and the surrounding areas.
Of the many sites he showed and told us about, the story of one site in particular stood out to me – a place up in the mountains in Muir woods in Marin county called West Point Inn. I’m always intrigued by stories of old places especially those in the wilderness. The West Point Inn was no exception.
Fred told us stories of the steam train that would bring tourists to the West Point Inn, which was built at the end of the crookedest railroad in the world. is it a coincidence that just across the bay was Lombard street the crookedest street in the world? Hmmm. The West Point Inn is the only surviving structure of this world-famous railway and Fred just completed a book about this. I seriously want to check this place out. For those equally intrigued as I am, check out:
And thanks, Fred, for a great introduction to San Francisco & the Bay Area. I’m going to love it here!
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nothing like faeries to get you through it (muir woods)
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[...] of rememberance I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love fiction but working on docs is one of the ways I love to [...]