The Academy Blog

Our guide, Wang Yi, is a joy to get to know. We visited his studio last week. His paintings blew us away, reminding us of Michael Borremans and Adrian Ghenie. He took us to an art fair, the YUZ Museum, and his friend’s gallery called Ming Gallery, where his work is currently showing. We’ve been learning about the art market in China and how the collectors only buy old art that has already proven its value. People buy contemporary art for lower prices, not as investments, but for the purpose of decorating their homes. Also, there isn’t much of a market for international art yet. People here buy art that they are familiar with and are less likely to branch out into purchasing more conceptually based artwork. 

The food here is a highlight. Our routine late dinners on the street excite us most. We walk across the campus along the dimly lit, tree-lined road, past the coy pond, through the finely mowed field, over the river bridge to a bustling outdoor array of food vendors. Dozens of venders grill and serve food on sticks. We enjoy trying new things and often order more than enough. We find amusement in each other’s eating habits and trying to communicate with the vendors for Arc and Dana to avoid pork, and nothing spicy for Dana, and “is there pork in the sauce?” or “what’s the little speck of meat on the broccoli?” Ryan will eat anything! He enjoys spice to the point of severe pain, and if we can’t finish something or don’t like it, we pawn it off onto him. It’s quite hysterical.

Along with our infrequent showers, we have become comfortable with a less sanitary lifestyle. Arc and I discovered our go-to lunch spot where we find the best kung pow chicken. Yesterday, while eating the dish, I found a little cockroach on my chopstick. Arc and I looked at each other, he wrapped the little guy up in a napkin, and we continued eating—enjoying it just the same. That evening, Ryan was sipping on his tea and reached in his mouth to remove a little long-horn beetle. We gathered around inspecting the beetle as Ryan continued enjoying his tea. None of us have gotten sick yet. We find laughter through our journey of learning a new perspective. 
 

So far, our experience in Shanghai has been fulfilling—full of painting and laughter and an eagerness to adapt and to learn from each other.

It seemed to take quite a while for us to get here. Time appeared to drag on between May 17th, the last day of school, to May 26th, our departure date. When May 26th finally arrived, I wasn’t sure how to feel.  Many of my fellow travelers were also unsure.  On one hand, we were happy and excited to go to China–amazed and honored to be selected for this once in a lifetime opportunity. But for some reason, however small, however stupid, there was some doubt.  You feel you don’t want to go, or maybe you shouldn’t. This feeling arose in us for many reasons. Let me explain– It could be because we were scared of change, knowing once we get back to New York there’s only one year left of grad school, and realizing how quickly that too, will go. Maybe we were not willing to leave loved ones behind, or maybe it was a fear of failing or disappointing people with what we chose to paint. Somehow after achieving a residency we still felt maybe we weren’t good enough. 

The plane was so quiet as we took off.  Everything fell into a silence as I looked around at my fellow classmates and new friends. I was amazed and in awe to be there, sitting with them getting ready to fly to China.  Everything was still, and I finally started to calm down after the slow weeks of build-up. The anxiety and nerves that I had from the previous week settled. I started to understand all these feelings I was having. The good  and the bad feelings all became beautiful, a feeling that meant we were alive and human, living in moment.  I was finally getting back to myself, feeling normal, relaxed, calm, and ready to begin my journey with them. 

Since we arrived in China, time has flown by. I can’t believe we’ve already been here for a week. Since meeting Wang Yi for the first time, we’re already comfortable in his studio, looking, hanging out and talking about art.  A lot of things are different here but somehow seem strangely familiar especially the part that includes Jack Daniels. 

Within a day I was going out to explore Shanghai.  Our neighborhood is very international and we’ve met  people from all over the world.  Since I don’t eat pork or beef, Wang Yi showed me how to read and say the mandarin character for chicken and fish, so I am now able find cool places to eat without needing a translator.  For breakfast, I found a great crepe-like sandwich and eat it every day.

We have been to some galleries and art fairs but most of all have been making lots of work.  It’s been so much fun I can’t wait to see what is in store for next week.