Dustin Shum: Themeless Parks (photography book)

This just published book by Hong Kong photographer Dustin Shum covers the changing Chinese landscape seen through its parks. Shum photographs both the old-style parks developed in the 1980s that provided - some quite odd - recreational rides and activities and also the recently constructed large urban parks with monumental architectural features and sweeps of grass and trees. Shum's work has been inspired by the photography of Lars Tunbjork (Sweden), Martin Parr (UK) and Stephen Shore (USA). The book is available at Kubrick (HK$180).

Dustin Shum, 'Themeless Parks', Hulu Books, ISBN 978-988-98014-1-0

Teresa Teng: Dayung Sampan or Tian Mi Mi (song)

The origins of music can often be confusing. The great Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng sang three versions of the original Indonesian song 'Dayung Sampan'; her Mandarin & Cantonese versions are well-known. Listen to her singing the original Indonesian and then the Mandarin version on YouTube - the accompanying debate about the origins of the song is fascinating.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=h33DI3_bpew&feature & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufRYBRlg0sk&NR=1

Arthur Koestler: Darkness at Noon (book)

Walking around Guangzhou recently, I noticed thousands of video cameras - along pavements, at street intersections and outside seemingly innocuous buildings - all erected since my last visit 12 months earlier.

I was reminded of Arthur Koestler's great anti-totalitarian book 'Darkness at Noon' - an indictment of the Soviet/Stalinist repressions during the 1930s. Its chilly austere prison setting reveals an impossible uncaring regime and the black dead-end of inhumane and unjustifiable incarceration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkness_at_Noon

Patrick Tam: The TV Films of Patrick Tam (film)

During October 2008, Hong Kong's Film Archive will be running a series of master film-maker Patrick Tam's early TV movies - predominantly in Cantonese without sub-titles (although the session on 4 October 2008 has English subtitles). A must-see to view the development of this great film director and observe slices of Hong Kong society from the 1970s. See the full programme on the Hong Kong Film Archive website.

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/filmprog/english/2008ewave/2008ew_index.html

Francoise (Fifi) Demulder 1947 – 2008 (photographer)

The great photojournalist Francoise (Fifi) Demulder died a few weeks ago in Paris. Fired by the spirit of the 1968 Paris protests, Demulder travelled to Asia. To help cover her travel costs she went to Vietnam to cover the war as a novice photographer - her hard work and daring helped her photography to be quickly and widely circulated around the world. Later she photographed in the Middle East and her image (see left) of a Palestinian woman pleading and in despair won her (as the first ever female) the World Press Photo of the Year Award in 1976.

“Fifi was a nomad. Journalism for her was not a way of earning money”, says Noel Quidu of the photoagency Gamma, “It was a reason for living and breathing.” (from the Financial Times, 13/14 September 2008, p 8).

http://stateoftheart.popphoto.com/blog/2008/09/perpignan-wedne.html

Futuramanila (exhibition)

This exhibition offers a rare chance to see excellent contemporary Philippine art in Hong Kong by a range of young up-and-coming artists. Video, installation, cartoon, photography, sculpture and painting is all on show and much of the work is fascinating in an 'international way'. On exhibition until mid-October 2008.

http://www.osagegallery.com/

Harmonia: Immer Wieder from album 'deluxe' (1974) (CD)

You have probably heard me groan about the blob-and-dashes of some of the electric music (generally computer-led) I have heard in Hong Kong over the last few years (often played in combination with - or in opposition? - to art exhibitions)...some of you may have heard me mention Harmonia, Neu, Can, Amon Duul II etc German krautrock (progressive rock from Germany) as early electronic bands (that I listened to in the 1970s).

There are a few clips of Harmonia (THE great electronic band) on YouTube. They recently reformed after 30 years and have been playing in music festivals in Europe over the last 12 months.

Click on links below to listen to a classic song: "Immer Wieder" from album 'deluxe' (1974) and then a live clip from late 2007:

To get an overview of the music of the period listen to great compilation sets (from West Add Radio of the USA) of Harmonia and similar bands (e.g. Cluster, La Dusseldorf) - often a changing combination of the same band personnel. See (cut and paste this link): http://www.westaddradio.com/klaus/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd1BH7Nbk8c&feature=related & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccgFibwQjDo

Art World Salon (website)

Art World Salon discusses via blogs various substantial art topics - although the moderators state that the site will keep clear of gossip, the art market etc. it appears that many of the topics do fall under the 'more trivial' end of the art world. However, the discussion is very intelligent and thought-provoking and when discussing topics, there are many interesting links and connections being made and much room to make your own further enquiries from the discussion topics.

The second URL link below is a discussion of pastiche, imitation and copying in contemporary Chinese art: quite stimulating.

http://www.artworldsalon.com/blog/ & http://www.artworldsalon.com/blog/2008/04/speaking-of-fairs/

Robert Hughes - 'Things I Didn't Know' (book)

Recently released autobiography by longtime writer and art reviewer at Time magazine and presenter of TV series 'The Shock of the New'. Insightful and revealing autobiography by one of the most influential writers about art of the last thirty years. His views on the mechanics of the art market and how it has influenced (for the poorer) the presentation of art in museums and by curators is hard-hitting, but the writing often lapses into gossipy anecdote. A second installment will be forthcoming (I suppose) as 'Things I Didn't Know' stops as Hughes starts working for Time magazine.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/books/review/Dyer.t.html

Van Der Graaf Generator (circa 1970-71) - 'Theme One' (band/song)

Recently reformed for occasional concerts and studio recordings, Van Der Graaf Generator, are often cited as THE English progressive-rock band of the late 1960s and early-1970s. The power seen on this YouTube clip (circa 1970-71) shows Hugh Banton on organ and bass pedals; Guy Evans on drums and David Jackson - this instrumental track has Peter Hammill, the frontman of the band and vocalist, off-camera but probably contributing assorted sounds to the 'Theme One'anthem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfAGSN5-94k&NR