Dafen Oil Painting Village in Depression
Dafen Oil Painting village is the place in Shenzhen, where 60 % of the world’s cheap oil paintings are produced. The term “village” is a bit misleading. However, Dafen has some nice views and last year made first attempts to move “upstream” in terms of what is called arts. According to today’s issue of the South China Morning Post, in 2006 about 500 million RMB worth of paintings were exported from Dafen. The main clients were American property owners and Hotels. But since September, sales literally collapsed by 70 %. And even prices eroded 30 % still the volume keeps low. Also domestic sales is weak. Last year, even in the boom times, I felt that Dafen is a village of broken dreams for artists. So much skill and so poor living and working conditions, painting all the time the same motives. But now even this went down. The artists get laid off. And the income which was around 200 RMB per painting is now down to 20-30 RMB. It really did not take long until the financial crisis moved from Wall Street to Main Street. But here it is hitting the rice bowl now.
If you want to go there from Shenzhen by taxi and do not speak Chinese, print this for the taxi driver: Long Gang District, Da Fen Oil Painting Village, 龙岗区大芬油画村
Thomas Suarez’s “Early Mappings of South East Asia”
There are different ways to make a region a geographical unit. It can be seen geological, morphological, climatological, cultural, ethical or political for example. In the case of South-East Asia the routes and description of travelers that passed though the area between China and India seem to have a large role in defining it as a region.
Thomas Suarez book on the “Early Mapping of South East Asia” describes South East Asia through the eyes of old maps and sailing instructions. It is a fascinating and deep introduction into routes, regions and views put together from partly conflicting sources. This book is on history, geography and an adventure to read at the same time. It is obvious that Suarez is a real conaisseur and authority on early maps. His interest in South East Asia was awakened when he travelled here on concert tours as a classical violinist.
“Early Mapping of South East Asia” you find in Singapore book shops for 103 S$ or at http://www.amazon.com/Early-Mapping-Southeast-Thomas-Suarez/dp/9625934707/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218857154&sr=8-1
A fine country (Singapore)
Right beside the impressing Campus of the Singapore Management University, close to the Central Business District of the City, is the Singapore Art Museum. I had only an hour to have a quick look what is inside the white walls and found a charming small museum showing a very good exposition of Xu Beihong. Another section on Vietnamese art after 1990 looked a bit naive to me, but I have neither insight into Vietnam’s society nor arts, so I just keep the impression as it is for now.
Singapore kept and developed much more charm than Hong Kong overall. Even it is also only a small island, it appears to be spacious and also the urban areas are green and well composed in terms of city planning. Where Hong Kong is only a business location with a completely practical approach to the use of space and hectic and noisy lifestyle, Singapore appears much more balanced in many aspects. There are parks and green spots everywhere, heritage is well preserved and new developments are matching older spots. Yes, Singapore is “a fine country”. Some people joke about this term, because they say you easily get a “fine” for also small convictions. I was told that chewing gum, for example, is not appropriate, by law. Well, thinking back to my time at a German high school, where you could not touch under a desk or chair without getting stuck in something sticky, I appreciate and understand that rule to the fullest.