Today Xi Chen had a very nice opening of his small exhibition, titled The shape of the Mountains, in the ShuangChen Cafe (双城咖啡). He studied at the Munich Academy of Arts and I was happy and surprised that he speaks German so well. It was not just an exhibition opening, but also a gathering of commonly minded people, in a very nice environment. The exhibition is on until September 20th and it is a nice stop during a walk in the Beijing Hutongs West of the Lamma Temple. The address is: No.46 Fang Jia Hutong (北京東城區方家胡同46號).
Beijing on a clear weekend
These are windy days and it is nice to see the blue sky and even some stars in Beijing. Also the traffic was not too bad this weekend. Well, I spend most of the time away from the busy crowds anyways and enjoy my last few months here, to keep the city in a good memory. A weekend like this one, make it easy.
View from home at a clear full moon night.
Early Sunday morning in the Temple of the Sun Park.
Lotus flower, as seen in Temple of the Sun Park.
Hyperopia
Finally my arms got too short to properly be able to read small text. They call it Hyperopia, and it means I am getting far sighted. First I though of getting longer arms is not that easy, and may look rather imbalanced when I am scratching my feet walking along. So we went to the Beijing Glasses City. Here you get custom mades glasses starting from 5 Euro, and it is quite some fun also.
A wide range of entry models at the Beijing glasses city.
Hans van Dijk - 5000 Names
I found 5000 Names is a very interesting exhibition on the Chinese work and legacy of the Dutch born curator and scholar Hans van Dijk. It shows works, letters and artifacts of the time in the 1990, when he was a mentor of the coming generation of contemporary artists, when there was no such thing in China.
The exhibition is running until August 10th in the UCCA Ullens Center of Contemporary Art in the 798 Art District, Beijing.
Exhibition entry and introduction.
Builders at the Sheshan Observatory
Sorting photos in preparation for exhibitions, I came across these two snapshots. One is taken 2004 and shows workers doing maintenance work at the Sheshan Observatory. When they saw me climbing around the roof with a camera, they posed for a photo, as if they knew (they didn't) there is a similar photo dated 1899 which is hanging in the Observatory Museum, literally below their feet.
Builders at the Sheshan Observatory, as seen in 2004.
A picture of builders of the Sheshan Observatory from 1899, as seen in the Observatory museum in 2004.
Gozo Island
Gozo Island is in the waters of Malta, located on its North-Western tip. In the centre, the city Victoria with an amazing Citadelle already shows that this is not "just" an island with fishing villages, but that it has history going back into Neolithic age, and it was also in historical times a place of importance. Odysseus might have landed in the Calypso Cave, overlooking the islands , and all over the bays show defense towers which date back to the 1650s. A nice place to hop over by ferry. I was told that Gozo feels like Malta twenty years ago. Both places are very nice, but sure Gozo is more rural and (even more) laid back.
The Xlendi Tower (Gozo Island)
Malta
From Germany we made a quick trip to Malta and beside the holiday aspect, I had the honor and pleasure to be invited for a research seminar to the University of Malta. This is a very impressive place with very friendly people, and we enjoyed it a lot. More on the stay you find in the travel blog, and here just a few snapshots from the stay in Valletta, Mdina and Rabat.
Land of Honey
Even the group of islands is located very near - just off the coasts of Italy, Tunisia and Libya - I never before went to Malta. Pre-history started in Malta about 5200 years ago, with hunters from Sicily. Since then it had a lively history, which is exciting to study. And nearly anywhere in Malta you see its history and culture at such high density, that it would take you ages to explore the small country really in depth. I had the honor and pleasure to give a research seminar at the University of Malta, which itself was founded by Jesuits in 1592. The seminar itself, I enjoyed very much, and more so the hospitality and good humor of my kind hosts. Malta has an indigenous breed of bees which gave the islands the nickname "Land of Honey", and actually there are a lot of aspects which make the lands biblical. Powers have changed often, and the last scares of siege (but not invasion) are from the attacks of Italy and Germany.
I was very much surprised by the size of the fortification of Valletta. It is an amazing city and current construction activities are developing it into a perfect blend of history and modernity. It took me a long time to make my first trip to Malta. But it won't take me long to come back.
Essen
I stopped by Essen in the centre of the Rhine-Ruhr-Area for one night, and briefly dropped into the University Campus where I did my PhD in a research team of the German Research Foundation (DFG). This was two decades ago.We were a interdisciplinary team working on the improvement of urban water cycles, and I was the “rain man”. There were also other Geoscientists, Chemists, Biologists, and Engineers and we all looked together at a common task from our own paradigm. It was interesting. I enjoyed that time, with all the ups and downs one has, when you are on your way to scientific discovery. It is not a famous University. But the purpose was to attract top research into an area where it was needed. This had the advantage of experiencing the object of research directly, and it was of course also meant to bring some outstanding minds on a campus, they would normally not go. What “outstanding" really means, I don’t know. I remember I was told that there were 1600 applications per scholarship position. If “outstanding” means “competitive”, then yes: we were outstanding. Now the department moved to another campus nearby. I dropped by my old office, where now genetic research labs are. In the Geosciences nobody was in. All were out for field work, I assume. Funny, how all the old pictures and memories come back walking through the streets and halls. But the main reason to come to Essen this time was to meet a friend, who is just recovering from a severe brain surgery. He is well, but copes with the uncertainty of living another 12 months, 12 years, or longer? I know the stats is different for him, but actually, we all have that uncertainty every day. Just he of course thinks more about it, and we don’t. Whatever consequences he draws one day for his life, we probably should come to similar conclusions for ours.
View from Entrance S05 over the Essen University Campus.
Hamburg
This weekend I visited a dear old friend in Hamburg, and enjoyed the stay very much. The city celebrated the 825th birthday of the harbor, and put its whole marine history and heritage on display. The weather was “nordic” and I got a thick woolen sailor’s pullover and enjoyed the fresh breeze and horizontal rain. I bought it at Ernst Brendler: the store close to the city hall, where I got many of my clothes about 25 years ago. Nothing changed in the store; not even the assortment. Hamburg though has developed a lot. I always liked it there, but now I experienced it even more as a very nice and livable city. Of course we also strolled around St. Pauli in the footsteps of Hans Albers. With container ships, sailors have no time to come here any more. But it is still a walk on the wild side. Ours did not last until sunrise and started the new day having breakfast on the fish market, but civilized with a brunch at the Alster. No swollen right fist, no broken heart, no blood stains on the leather jacket. Yes, it has been a quarter of a century. And that’s a long time.
Finally in a pair of shoes again
Have been cycling and walking around in Beijing yesterday for the whole afternoon, with a normal pair of hiking shoes. Goes well. I thought my foot might be swollen or hurting today. But all is reasonably fine. Still it will take a while until I can jump around a bit. But for now, I am at least already mobile again.
Wishes inside Prince Gong's Mansion (恭王府)
Walking freely
I was advised to keep the cask around my foot, for 6 weeks. But minus 33 % healing time sounds like a reasonable target for a fracture. So, I drank a glass of milk in the morning (for the calcium) and now I am walking around without it; after 4 weeks. All the muscles are gone and it looks a bit like a chicken foot. I spare you a photo. But seems to work. I take it slowly, sure. It is actually amazing how fast the muscles degenerate. A month isn't that long. It makes me think about my other muscles, and what happens to them in office life, where they are not used. And of course I am wondering what's left of my brain.
Heading towards the gate
5:30 in the morning. She passed the iron gate and then the speed limit sign of 5 km/h. Then did not take the right turn, even there is a peach tree in blossom making this look nice. But it will only lead into the car park. Who cares about cars? Instead, went around the speed bump to the left - not speeding at all. Just finding it inconvenient. Having a look at the lake to the left and the bridge at it's Eastern corner. The heading for the illuminated gate - and further. See you in Kyoto.
Feibai on her way to "Ten days in silence" in Kyoto.
Kitchen window views
These orchids to my surprise are now in the third blossom. They have been always just standing at the kitchen window without receiving much care. They witnessed changes in the inside, as well was the environmental decay of Beijing outside the window. These plants are extremely robust. They don't even need water for weeks. But they always come back with flowers. And somehow they look like having a mild smile towards the ugly city. They watch the seasons pass, without being really part of them. That's as good as it can get in Beijing.
Toona sinensis (香椿)
Today I saw something at the vegetable market, which I have never seen before. It turned out to be Toona sinensis, which is actually a tree, also called Chinese Mahogany (香椿). Pan fried with egg, it gives the dish a nutty taste. The supply seems limited in the markets. There is no farming format for it, but just harvest from trees around. And the small supply first goes to restaurants. Strangely the "vegetable" is still not expensive in the market. So, I guess, individual demand must be low. There seem to be quite a few medical applications of the plant, and it is a Traditional Chinese Medicine remedy. Having seen a bit of Chinese research, my first suspicion, when I see overwhelming press on something, is: must be bullshit. But the veggie is good. I really like it. It says, that it also enhances the mobility of human sperm. Well, lets try.
Toona sinensis (香椿) in the market shelf. Never seen this.
Cut off the lower part of the leaves.
Then stir fry with egg. Yummy!
Mathematica 9
I have not been impressed by any piece of software during the last 20 years or so. But now I installed Mathematica 9 and became addicted immediately. Specially, since my own brain got a bit dull in my corporate job, the predictive features are really helpful to shake the rust off my Neocortex. Mathematica 9 proposes after every step what would make sense to do next. And it always makes sense. This includes not just the obvious, but thousands of rules. I am stunned.
By the way, I always found that advanced mathematics is really undervalued as a lifestyle product. And Mathematica 9 really had the potential to be presented in the Financial Times publication How to Spend It. For the professional version which allows you to use it in mission critical Infrastructure, Aeronautics and Nuclear applications, you can spend up about 7 kUS$. And with this you are clearly show that you are a Connoisseur - believe me. If you do want to keep up with smalltalk at the next cocktail party, go to the Wolfram Website and buy your copy.
For example on the farewell party of a colleague last week, there was a cake served called Donauwelle (engl. Danube waves). And when I was asked how the chocolate layer looks like, I said: "A bit like z(x,y)=sin(y+cos(3x))" . There was a bit of silence around me. But if you have a bakery as a supplier for Donauwelle, you need to tell them somehow precisely what you need. And geometry of the inner cake structure is one of the things, right? I am actually quite happy, I am still invited to social events in our company - thank you. But see, now how easy it is to know what I mean:
Donauwelle in Mathematica 9 (Home Edition)
Finally dried up my Sony NEX-7 SEL 18200 (18 mm -200 mm)-lens
Last year I ditched with my Sony NEX-7 into a lake in Cambridge. The camera body dried up during the night, but the SEL 18200 (18 mm -200 mm)-lens was struggling even after all fog was gone with the communication to the camera. I was still using the camera with the 18 mm - 55 mm lens. But today, without really knowing what I am looking for, I took the long lens with a screw driver to pieces, cleaned everything, and put it together again. And guess - it works. Excellent!
I am not using heavy SLR gear any more, as I find it not just too heavy to carry, but also too intrusive when you want to shoot in real life and not in a studio. So, I am happy now my Sony is back and I have a bit of longer focus length again.
Currently my cameras are:
- Fuji X-100 (with mounted 23 mm fixed lens)
- Fuji X-E2 with 18 mm - 55 mm zoom
- Sony NEX-7 with 18 mm - 55 mm zoom and 18 mm - 200 mm zoom
- Sony RX 100
The flash I use is a Nikon Speedlight SB-800.
As these cameras are all quite light and compact, I only need a Gitzo G1097 tripod.
Big right foot
It has been over 20 years ago since I last broke a bone. And I well remember that the first few hours are full of excitement and then it just bloody hurts. Well, that's what it now bloody does. I broke a right middle foot bone and it is swelling like crazy. Small bone. Never mind. The r-ray of the fracture shows no displacement. So, that's an easy one. Just hurts. And they have these fancy shoes these days. No cask and plaster any more. This is really an innovation. I like it. The rest I don't like. But what can I do? If I remember right, this becomes really bad the first night. Let's see. I am ready. Good night.
Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires performing in Beijing
Yesterday night we went with friends to see the Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires in the Opera House of National Center of Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing. The show was called "Tango Fire and choreographed by the Argentine choreographer and dancer German Cornejo. It was amazing. If you are in Beijing, get a ticket and go. Besides what happened on stage, I also enjoyed that the Chinese audience got really excited and some even dropped their smart phones into the pockets. Excellent.
Photo source: click here
Mind over matter
Another "mad week" is over: air was suffocating and work did not even leave time for lunch. But as there is sunshine after rain, there is also blue sky after smog, weekend after week and lunch after breakfast. Now we have a nice blue and clear day in Beijing, which makes me quickly forget the recent filth. Temperatures are up to 18 Degrees Celsius and soon a very short spring will be followed by summer. But in this quiet and pleasant day, still echoes the call of a friend who leaves for Germany with a brain tumor for treatment. How often does it feel like mind is over matter? But when the neurosurgeons go to work, all is matter. Who we are, is then reduced to a wiring of cortexes, lobes and neuronal tissue. And when we have to work on this mechanically, we touch the centre of our inner world with tools which seem inadequate.