21 May 2014
On a recent trip to New York coinciding with Sotheby’s contemporary art auction, I visited a gallery exhibition and came across a work of art that was refreshingly distinct. This piece, composed of aluminum and copper wire, hung on the wall like a golden tapestry interwoven with streaks of silver, red and black. Although clearly a sculpture, it mimicked the movement of cloth undulati...
21 March 2014
Years ago I collected the drawings of Bob Meyer, an American artist living in Paris, France. Bob is a theatrical director, writer and actor, but in my mind, first and foremost he is a visual artist. His pencil drawings always struck me as magical, almost hypnotic. He has the best line I’ve ever seen. In just a few movements he can lasso all sorts of feelings ...
20 March 2014
While sifting through the PRIMITIVE Warehouse preparing for the SPRING WAREHOUSE SALE, I find myself uncovering pieces that have left an imprint on me over many years of dealing with cultural objects. It’s funny how a particular item can transport you to a different time and place, as if the object itself is a portal into history.In the south corner of the warehouse stands a group of carved la...
30 July 2009
On the way back our accommodating driver misunderstood his role and while carrying on a conversation with Cherry began giving us Mandarin lessons. The inevitable result of his being a conversationalist, teacher and driver at the same time was he began to slow down and meander. But we were in a rush. This time, time was really running out. We began chanting, “Faster, faster!” He look...
30 June 2009
We went to stone and wood carving markets today. Chinese New Year shuts everything down so the places were like ghost towns. Our timing was not perfect, but this was the only time we could get here this trip. Some places opened up when they saw us coming. We continually interrupted card games and tea drinking.When we arrived at one particular market I was expecting something organic--small stal...
27 June 2009
I have ten oranges in my bag. They were given to us as presents by various vendors. Food in China is a very big deal. No one misses a meal and it occurs to me, feeding a billion and a half people is no small feat. At dinner I am overwhelmed by the amount of people. It seems like they are pouring out of and into every opening.We are dining in the hotel because it’s late, and frankly, there...
25 June 2009
We landed in Xiamen and made our way to Cherry’s hometown, some two hours further by car. Traveling more than an hour beyond, we arrived at a carving studio specializing in Han Bai Yu stone - white jade.Han Bai Yu could be considered the Chinese equivalent of Makrana marble from India, except the two are really different. Makrana is opaque, like milk. Han Bai Yu is translucent, like ice. ...
23 June 2009
We are in a car heading to Bayun Airport in Guangzhou, about a two hour drive from Zhongshan. The highway is new and landscaped the entire way with finely trimmed shrubs, trees and flowers. We are on our way to Fujian. The decision to go was quickly made so I ask Cherry once again the reason for our departure. She says, “To find small carving and go to tea market.” Okay, I nod. Righ...
22 June 2009
After a late dinner we explored the local scenery. In a field near the center of town multiple groups were shooting off fireworks. Whole families joined in the festivities. There were rockets, firecrackers, sparklers, bombs; you name it and it was there as long as it exploded, blazed, smoldered or glowed. Huge rockets exploded in every color of the rainbow, some high, some too close for comfort...
21 June 2009
The day started with breakfast in the coffee shop. The first thing I noticed was plates of candy everywhere. Even the hostess offered me some as she placed silverware on the table and announced “Happy New Year.” Around me, people ate noodles. I felt like I had made a mistake by ordering eggs.I am more self-conscious here than when I first arrived in New York City. The language barri...