Henry's Birthday

Shirfu Dog

We met when Henry took me to the Red Capital Ranch for a get-away to celebrate his birthday.

I love this dog. He is an un-neutered male Shepherd mix who had been condemned to be forever chained under this tree for having bitten someone. I found him to be loving and quite shy. His animal instincts in tact, who knows what really happened, but I imagine he must have been mishandled in some way.

The best i could do is to try to communicate some gentle caring while I was a visitor there. I helped untangle his chain from the tree and Henry made sure he got some fresh water.


Celebrations started on Friday, July 25th with a dinner out with friends at Saveurs de Corée. After attending an opening for a new friend, Lukas Birk, we mosied over to nanluoguxiang. We followed dinner with some lounging and dancing at Song bar. All in all a good start!

Saveurs de Corée
29 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District
东城区南锣鼓巷29号
6401 6083

Saturday we spent out at the Red Capital Ranch, where Henry has been wanting to go. A night out of the city is always a good idea, but with Olympic restrictions, we were told climbing the Great Wall was off limits. I didn't mind so much, but then again, I'm not into over grown trails and steep climbs. Henry and the couple that we later found out got engaged on the wall were upset at their plans being foiled! I am not one for proposals on tourist hot spots, the Great Wall and Eiffel Tower especially, but I was not the one being asked, so it doesn't matter so much. Just FYI. No overly romanticised locations with monumental expectations. I'm a down to earth girl. I like my leisure time. And I don't like agendas when I'm on holiday.

Tuesday, July 29

On Henry's actual birthday, we kept it low key and went to a local Tex-Mex with a down home feel. I found out Henry doesn't do well with tequila and so margarita's are out. And he prefers no salt on the rim. We had a nice comfortable time, which I have to say is so nice and relaxing.

Lesson learned:
Sometimes "romantic" get-aways are high pressure zones.

Trip 2: Week 11 Plans Re-Structured

Henry and I decided we couldn't go for the LIVE/WORK space. It was too much work, too much commitment, and the Olympic month. I was disappointed, but I saw his point and I couldn't logistically do it without his help communicating. Since then, I have had to reconsider the plan for the next year. I think it will be better in the long run, but I feel like I lost a part of my dream in that deal. I hope this is not a trend that continues.

Meanwhile, things are ramping up in the studio and work is going well. I have found a good printer and gotten some prints I am happy with. Looking forward to picking up some framed pieces Wednesday. And the doc series I have been working on will start this Saturday!

Little pieces of the puzzle are coming together. I find a lot of support from strangers. People who know how difficult it is to be an artist and just get things done in this town for foreigners, especially ones who can't communicate properly. Help comes from nowhere sometimes. Just enough to keep you from giving up sometimes. I find it difficult when I can't just do things for myself, but the kindness of strangers has been immensely satisfying.

Thank Goodness.

Have to put my academic hat on to do a write up for this doc series and well an artist statement, too. I thought that physically writing this (b)log would help me get over the hump that keeps me from writing more. But...I'm afraid I'm still slow going when it comes to getting started. I've always been a fan of getting writers to do what they do. Sit and chat with me then write it for me. Irony is Henry is a writer, but I can't seem to communicate my ideas about art to him. It just that all the intimate stuff lays heavy around us, so I can't speak freely and confidently the way I might with other artists. It always seems to be like that. That the person you are most intimately involved with can't really see or know that other part of you. Like only being a macro lens. Can't pull out and get the whole picture. Or something like that.

I do love research though, so I will just use the deadline to push me forward.

BY THE END OF THE WEEK:
I have printed more photos than I have in years. Gotten some framed. Borrowed projectors for some screenings I am planning for my time in residence. Got a lawyer in Florida to deal with a crazy bogus claim on our family condo. Got new name cards made with new cell number. And have organized multiple Birthday surprises for Henry's Birthday week. Officially it was Tuesday July 29. His sister Vannessa's is just a year and day before and my brother's is 15 years and one day after!
LEOs LEOs LEOs

I haven't slept well with worry keeping me up at night or late night skype calls with family or lawyers.
Stressful, but I've had some successes, so all in all I must be grateful. I will write more about what is happening here in Beijng rather than just personal business, but thanks for bearing with me.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!
I cant wait to reunite and have Henry and Meta with me.
I will feel complete.

XXX

bye for now.

Trip 2: Week 10 In Review

Time has flown. I have not been as diligent as should have the past few weeks documenting my experiences. This happens when the windows of down time are fewer and farther between or sometimes non-existent. It is also, why studio time is critical.

Last Sunday, I began my residency at Art Channel. It is a gallery that began in 798 Dashanzi, the ever popular Beijing Art mecca, but about two years ago moved to CaoChangdi in search of a new and less commercial setting to bring Contemporary Art practice to the fore. It along with a hand full of others, created a new art center, just 10 mins further northeast and just beyond the 5th ring perimeter. It is the land of grass fields, literally translated, though there is no grass, but so much promise. When I made my first investigative trip out here this past winter, I fell in love with the spirit of the place. It is mostly raw, with these small ecosystems of creative energy sprinkled in the area, linked by mostly dirt roads and country living standards. The collision of urban, suburban, and out right rural.

I arrived hoping to have an other artist in residence. I recall Rose, the director of the gallery, mentioning a Parisian photographer, but what I found out since was that a Japanese artist, whom I have met already, has claimed the other studio through August, yet returned home for a few weeks. He said he lives close to a town in Japan that has been renamed "Toyota" after the manufacturer of Toyota cars. Point is, I am alone in the gallery most of the time. One of the gallery assistance, has had to go home to Italy for a family emergency, so there is one person, named Victor that is taking care of the daily business and meant to be assisting me with my needs. I guess the one thing that is just as I hoped is the studio space itself. Big, bright, beautiful.

It may be a blessing in disguise, as alone time can be so fruitful once one stops squirming around wandering what is happening outside of the studio. It is this transition through a mental landscape that seems to be such a challenge. That terrain once conquered brings you to a promise land of creative practice. The place I am looking forward to finding again. Right now, I'm still squirming. Still basing progress on outside elements such as where I can find a photo lab to print my new images. Though, to be honest I have put a lot of work into shaping my next year. Soul searching as well as very practical planning. Henry and I have been considering all the options. I, however, have had my mind set on one scenario. A year in Caochangdi, in a live work space co-habitating officially and letting my focus be my career and art production. The challenge is working together towards our professional and personal goals together. I work best with commitments and plans. Henry is still figuring out what he wants from his own life. Thinking about me seems like pressure for him. It is frustrating, but what choice do I have but to be patient. For now, I am so happy to have struck a deal with another Henri (but with an "i") about renting my dream studio space!


What you've missed:

Early July my Artist friends Priscilla & Io came for a visit and did a short stint at Art Channel. We shared many delicious meals and took a day trip out to the Huang Hua Cheng section of the Great Wall. They were here for a couple weeks, so I was constantly busy and not writing as much as I would.

Then one of Henry's best friends and his girlfriend, who recently moved to Shanghai together from London, came for a quick visit. We had a great time and they got to reconnect with lots of old friends who live in Beijing. Henry is very excited about having one of his closest friends within a day's distance. We managed to rent a boat at Houhai, see a blues show at Doskolegas, and get fabulous massages! With food and drink to fill in the spaces. It was really fun.


Recently sampled restaurants:

Serve the People (Thai)
1 Sanlitun Xi Jie
84544580
delicious and reasonably priced. casual and has outdoor seating.
very decent service and clean bathrooms

Tex Mex
across from St. Regis Hotel in the CBD
warm country style decor with a kiddie play pen
the portions were generous, but the prices weren't exactly cheap
looks pretty authentic, tastes as close as Ive tasted since Ive been here
(with the exception of the Rickshaw, but then you have to endure the atmosphere)

Bocata
Sanlitun across from San dian San
lovely open air cafe serving fresh fruit juices and really nice sandwiches
and a decent cous cous salad

Trip 2: Week 9 Living in the Village

Aromatherapy

Revolution Rock

I'm listening to the Clash on the speakers I borrowed from Henry. Sitting at my desk in my studio. I'm alone in the gallery. No one around. Playing music as loud as I want to! Windows open. Raining on and off all day. It is gray and cooler than most Beijing summer days.


After Hours

The Velvet Underground. Makes me think I could play bass. I love this song. The smell of lavender and peppermint is starting to emanate.


Mellow Doubt

Teenage Fan club is reminding me of college and the boys that bookmark points in my life. It was about the time I began to seriously think about studying Art. I had always had a camera in hand. It was my way to keep people at a safe distance and keep my hands busy. The camera helped me make my mental notes the way people scribble in journals. I didn't feel comfortable mis-spelling and rendering thing inaccurately for documentary purposes. Now, I feel less like there is one way or perspective or sight line or truth. I juggle a couple cameras when I shoot. It would help to have go-go-gadget arms, but instead I carry a very large purse.


Here are some photos of my new space:






The view out of my window:



Not bad, eh?

I am considering seriously moving to this area for my year in Beijing. We looked a space yesterday. It was the second time looking at the same space. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. Henry is more hesitant because it is hard for him to imagine the possibilities of transformation. He is considering the commute and the rawness of an old factory space. I am loving the idea of creating my own space from the vase emptiness. It would make the move out here so worth it. The built in community. Living in the heart of a burgeoning new art center.

Cross your fingers we can strike a deal with Henri, the artist and developer of this complex.

Can you image...


This is the half I would live in with Henry. Up the stairs and to the right. The ground floor of the red brick building will be gallery space! Yeah, its hot.

Inside. I am photographing from where the door would be. Through the dwarfed door would be the kitchen and bath. The elevated section would be my work space. The foreground would be living and bedroom with the furniture being made on wheels to be able to convert the space at a moments notice!
Bookcases and couches and tables on wheels. And I could imagine it and have it built out. This is the China I had heard about...

and wanted to come for. I could live out my dream here. If I could just find a good temp home for Meta, I could move forward without hesitation. Hopefully, Henry will work out something with Henri and we can go for it!

XXX
from CaoChangdi

Trip 2: Week 8 Meta Issues

Should I stay or should I go?

Controls:
Henry
Su
Meta

Variables:
Home for Henry
Home for Su
Home for Meta
Length of stay in China Henry
Length of stay in China Su
Pet Relocation Specialists
Caretakers for Meta
Rental of Apt in Brooklyn


Possible Scenarios, saying I can sublet my Brooklyn apt for market value:

I. One Year Away [Most feasible]
Oct 2008 - 2009, Su & Henry share a home in a dog-friendly district.
Meta stays with Su's family for the year.
Oct 2009, Su & Meta are reunited in New York & Henry stays on in Beijing for one more year.
Oct 2010, All reunited in New York to begin a new life together.

II. Two Years Away, loosing Meta [Most undesirable outcome]
Oct. 2008 - 2010, Su & Henry share a home in a dog-friendly district.
Meta stays with Su's famliy for the year.
Oct 2009, Meta finds a new home, ideally staying in the family.
Oct 2010, Su & Henry return to New York without Meta.

III. Two+ Years Away, relocating Meta to China [Most unpredictable and risky]
Oct. 2008 - 2010, Su & Henry share a home in a dog-friendly district.
Meta stays with Su's famliy for the year.
Oct 2009, Meta is flown to Beijing with one month in quarantine.
Unknown future date, We reverse commute Meta with another quarantine in the States and
we all return safely to New York, hopefully.



Can someone please present me with another option I am not seeing?

I have been distracted with this and therefore not as productive and writing,
but I start my residency this Monday, so I will be able to focus more.

Maybe I need a Pros and Cons list?

Please call me with any guidance or advice or sympathy.
This is the toughest thing I have ever been faced with in terms of a life decision.

Does it have to me a Henry or Meta situation?
Hopefully, a solution that makes us all happy will present itself.
Possibly a part time home in Atlanta to help my sister and mother out.

Any great dog walkers or pet sitters in Atlanta you know of?