July 11, 2012

On the website of the Association for Asian Studies I noticed the announcement about free access to articles from back issues of Education About Asia. Perhaps you have already done so, but all you have to do is register with your email address and you get a password in your inbox straight away. You can search the tables of contents from all published issues dating back to 1996 but you can only view the articles from issues older than three years—at the moment that is 1996-2008. The searchable options are ‘title keyword’, ‘country or region’, ‘author’ and ‘issue theme’.

My search on ‘literature’ and ‘China’ generated eight results, one of which was the article ‘Culture and Text in Teaching Chinese Literature’ by Professor Yanfang Tang in which he introduces his approach to teaching the ‘Lisao.’ As some of his students thought Qu Yuan was boasting and whining, Tang examined what cultural context is essential for the Lisao so that students understand the right interpretation of the poem. 

But before I stray off: the articles are available in PDF and there is a permissions note saying: ‘archive articles may be downloaded and reproduced for personal or classroom only.’ But of course you can also subscribe to the print publication.

Written by: Audrey

June 29, 2012

On Wednesday morning the opening session of the seminar on the future of Chinese literature was held at the Wei Hing Theatre, City University of Hong Kong. It started with speeches by Professor Way Kuo, Professor Cheng Pei-kai, Dr Wu Zhiliang and Mr Poon Yiu Ming, followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony and short presentations by scholars, writers and translators.

The theme ‘prospect of Chinese literature’ was reviewed from various aspects such as language, location and background. Emphasis was put on the increasing importance of the Chinese language throughout the world; the knowledge of classical Chinese literature; an awareness of the major differences in Chinese literature from region to region and finally, the need of translation into foreign languages to gain exposure to the world.

Written by: Audrey

June 20, 2012

Next week there will be a two day seminar on Chinese literature, entitled: 兩岸四地－「世界華文文學前瞻」講座 (Prospects of Chinese Literature in the World—China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao). Many renowned names in the literary and translation world will be participating, including Taiwanese authors Yu Guangzhong, Li Ang and Chen Ruoxi; American translators Howard Goldblatt and Sylvia Li-chun Lin, Swedish sinologist Torbjörn Loden, mainland scholar Chen Sihe, Hong Kong author Lawrence Pun, and many many others.

The programme will start on Wednesday 27 June with an opening session at the Wei Hing Theatre, City University of Hong Kong, followed by discussions on Chinese literature in two parallel sessions in the afternoon (see website for details of time and venue). Then all the authors, translators and scholars will be moving to Macao where discussions resume at the Macao Science Center on Friday 29 June 2012.

The event is hosted by the Hong Kong Ming Pao Monthly, Chinese Civilisation Centre of the City University of Hong Kong, the Macao Foundation and the Federation of Hong Kong Writers. More information please see the website (in Chinese). All are welcome but remember that online registration by 25 June 2012 is required.

Written by: Audrey

June 14, 2012

A follow up on yesterday’s post: the exhibition was moved to the Purple Zone of Academic I. The set up is the same but it feels different now that it is inside. Away from the wind and the rain.

You can visit the exhibition at CityU daily until 22 June between 10am and 6pm while the opening hours of the Hong Kong Arts Centre are 10am to 8pm daily, except for 2 July 2012 when it closes early at 5pm.

Written by: Audrey

June 13, 2012

Last night I watched ‘The Works’ on TVB Pearl which introduced the exhibition of photographs by Liu Xia. Liu, a photographer, artist and poet, is the wife of jailed Chinese rights activist Liu Xiaobo. To my surprise they said that the exhibition was held at CityU. But when I checked the university website I could not find any information about it.

From the images on television, it looked like the photos were on display in the area called ‘Covered Terrace’. So that is where I headed for this morning and where I took some pictures for Pulse. It is a very small exhibition space with the photos placed on the floor instead of up on a wall. The cramped space makes it difficult to get a clear view of the photos but it does enhance the feeling of discomfort that the haunting images of the ugly babies exude.

For those interested in Liu Xia’s photography, please read the essay ‘Freedom Reflex: The Photographs of Liu Xia’ by A. D. Coleman, written for the catalogue of the 2012 Hong Kong showing of this exhibition, available here. Another article is on the display of Liu Xia’s photos in New York earlier this year, see ‘Underground Chinese Artist Liu Xia on Exhibit at the Italian Academcy’ by Laura Itzkowitz here.

The exhibition at CityU runs till 23 June and will then move to the Hong Kong Arts Centre where the photos will be displayed from 25 June till 2 July 2012.

Written by: Audrey

June 4, 2012

Right at the entrance of CityU, when you enter Academic I, you will see a large statue of the Goddess of Democracy standing in front of the library. At the foot it says 北1989.6.4 Beijing京 to commemorate June Fourth. Hanging up high there is a banner of the same goddess with the characters: 平反六四 [redress June Fourth].

Over the years the event has become increasingly important. Many are gathering to meet at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay where the annual candlelight vigil will take place tonight at 8 pm. As the website of the Hong Kong Alliance  indicates ‘the candlelight vigil will commemorate those who were killed in the June 4 massacre and express our determination to succeed in realising their goals.’

Recently a temporary June 4 Memorial Musuem was set up to salvage historical evidence. Although it is only open from 29 April to 10 June 2012, it is meant to lay the foundation for establishing a permanent one in future. Discontent and fear is reflected in the anger among local people, in particular over the attitude of CY Leung, the incumbent CE who will start taking office in July. It is clear that by evading questions about June Fourth, he is trying to steer away from trouble.

Written by: Audrey

May 30, 2012

Last week a Canadian friend came to Hong Kong for business and was wondering if we would fancy pigeon dinner in Tai Wai. He was reminiscing about crispy roast pigeon which he had the last time he visited Hong Kong back in 1998. Since he could not remember the name of the restaurant, I checked the website of Open Rice and figured we should be going to the Lung Wah Hotel in Sha Tin.

Renowned for its pigeon dishes, the Lung Wah is a restaurant that sits on a hill in Sha Tin. It has a history of more than half a century and although it is no longer a hotel, its name has not changed. According to their website, pigeon meat is not only delicious, it is also very nutritious. Their crispy roast pigeon (see pic) and pigeon egg dish that we ordered were indeed very tasty. Along with the pigeons, you get plastic gloves to prevent your hands from getting oily. We ordered three pigeons and that was quite plenty besides the soup, beancurd and vegetables that we had.

So if you have time to come out to the New Territories, this place is worth a visit. Their website is the Lung Wah Hotel.

Written by: Audrey

May 24, 2012

A while ago I learnt from an MCLC post that the Spring issue of wienzeile, a magazine for literature, art and politics, published in Austria would feature Chinese contemporary literature and art. Given my interest in Chinese literature, and that in translation, I applied for a free copy which just arrived in the post.

The issue themed ‘mit dem kopf durch die chinesische mauer’ 橫穿長城的頭顱 from a poem by Liu Jixin, contains works by writers from the PRC and Taiwan, including Hsia Yu, Yan Jun, Hung Hung, Zheng Xiaoqiong, Yu Jian, Ma Lan, Qi Ge, Wu Yinning, Lin Weifu, Tong Yali, Pang Pei and Liao Yiwu. All translated into German and many of them printed with the Chinese original.

The violent image on the front cover, see illustration here, is art by Linda Bilda from Vienna. According to Martin Winter, translator of most of the pieces in this issue, the editorial team was originally divided about the cover. Eventually the view of a prominent Chinese author (included in this issue) who said it represented ‘Heutiges China’ (China today) settled it.

The magazine was official launched on 17 May in Vienna, with a live performance by poet and artist Yan Jun. For more information about the magazine, see website: http://wienzeile.cc/magazin/62/.

Written by: Audrey

May 18, 2012

Next month a collection of Jingdezhen ceramics will be on display at the CityU Gallery. This time the exhibits are new and with contemporary designs painted by modern artists. The five artists whose works will be displayed are Zhu Zhengmao, Gao Weiqing, Long Deming, Zou Le and Wan Qing, all from Jiangxi.

The two samples shown here are a vase decorated by Zhu Zhengmao and a plate painted by Zou Le, the only female artist among the five. Both graduated from the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute where Zou Le is teaching while Zhu is Associate Professor at the Jiangxi Ceramic & Art Institute.

On the slim, tall vase are orange-brownish reeds that bend in the wind and white birds with black tipped wings, probably egrets, flying in the sky against the wind. Near the rim are some characters written which are difficult to read.

Colour-wise, the plate could have been a traditional blue and white; yet the design has something modern to it with a sprinkle of golden flakes. The large blue scabiosa-like flowers are a marked contrast with the string of small white forget-me-nots in the background.

Since art is difficult to describe (I doubt that my description is of any help), I highly recommend that you come and admire the real objects. The exhibition is open daily from 10 am- 7pm, from the opening ceremony on 13 June until 22 July 2012.

Written by: Audrey

May 9, 2012

Later this month CCIV will take a group of students on a field trip to Suzhou. Famous for its bridges and canals, Suzhou is often called the ‘Venice of the East’ but it is also known for its classical gardens and pagodas. Co-organized with Suzhou University, the seven-day trip from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 May has a packed programme that includes lectures at Suzhou University and visits to historical sites such as the Master of Nets Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Pan Gate Scenic Area.

There is an introduction on the CCIV website about the art of Chinese Gardening under ‘Web of Chinese Civilisation of 5,000 Years’ here. It explains the natural beauty of Chinese gardening and the styles of the Royal Gardens, Private Gardens and the Gardens in Suzhou. It is remarkable that the design of many of the gardens was inspired by ideas and suggestions of famous poets and painters.

For more details in Chinese on the field trip, please visit the CCIV website, here.

Written by: Audrey

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