The former Royal Asiatic Society building
Far from the maddening crowds on the Bund, the Rockbund Art Museum on Huqiu Lu (虎丘路) is a favored destination that singularly embodies the East meets West history, design and architecture of…
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The diversity of design in shikumen headers
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The Invisible Stain of Japanese Comfort Houses in Shanghai’s Lilongs
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Conversations: Jie Li on “Shanghai Homes: Palimpsests of Private Life”
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A history of the (underground) printing press in Shanghai’s shikumen
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“Chairman Mao Goes to Anyuan (安源)”: A Mural in Siwen Lane (斯文里)
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Elaborate lattice woodwork in Confucius Lane (孔家弄)
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My favorite Shanghai moments for Vogue
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Neighborhoods
The simplicity in patterned wood
I’ve always liked the predictability and soothing effect of uncomplicated patterns. This was one reason why I found myself standing in front of a discreet entrance off the…
The diversity of design in shikumen headers
What makes a shikumen (石库门) header an architectural tapestry so emblematic of Shanghai? The grey stone pediment, shaped in a triangle or semi-circle, contains designs that range from the…
Conversations
Conversations: Maureen Fan on the legacy of architect Robert Fan Wenzhao
My interview with Maureen Fan about her grandfather, Robert Fan Wenzhao (1893-1979), has been long overdue. What started as an introductory email several years ago grew into a…
Behind the camera: K.S. McMullen on filming docu-fiction ‘Nail House’
I love hearing from passionate artists who reach out to share their works – photo essays, poems, short films – a reflection of their time, consideration and dedication….
Behind the Camera: Alessandro Zanoni on Shanghai’s urban landscapes
In the years of photographing Shanghai, I’ve had a chance to meet a wide array of talented photographers and researchers as enthusiastic about documenting the city as I am. They…
Latest Posts
Dong Dayou’s European facade on north Wukang Lu
This past weekend has proven to be overly active that Monday’s malaise at the office desk seemed like a welcome break. As part of an art collaboration with…
What I am reading
Today’s links are all about Shanghai and China, and how the past and present influence and haunt each other. – Bai Xiaoci has been photographing his series, “I…
Scribbling on street photography
For those in mainland China, I trust you had a pleasant break over the absurdly arranged Dragonboat Festival holiday (we got Monday to Wednesday off after a 7…
Behind the Camera: Yosuke Ishizuka (石塚洋介) on the act of photography
Caio Yosuke Ishizuka (石塚洋介) is a Japanese Ph.D candidate in Shanghai studying the role of photographers in advocating social movements across East Asia. He is also an…
What I am reading: Three foreign perspectives on China
How do we as foreigners view China? Beyond the tired observations of the darker side of urbanisation, weathered and beaten portraits of the under-classes, what do we see…
On the road in Kyrgyzstan (part 2)
Months ago, I answered a call from a most unexpected person. “Who is this?” I inquired snappishly, assuming it to be yet another sales call interrupting my evening….
The worker’s ferry across the Huangpu
The weekend was mostly gloomy and wet though offering a comforting blanket for a restful two days best enjoyed with a quiet cup of tea and movie du jour. But for…
What I am reading
We travel around the world in this week’s photography links, touching on culture, poverty, urbanization and daily life. – New Yorker profiles Caroline Drake’s work on Central Asia with rather…
On the road in Kyrgyzstan (part 1)
One thing I promised myself with the blog’s revival is to share more as I’m hoping readers will evolve a little with me as we expand beyond Shanghai…
Little Bun: Superhero
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Trapped in a bustling mall at the worst possible time – lunch, I was in line at a restaurant when I spotted Captain…
London Photography Exhibits this Spring
Photography: Sebastião Salgado I visit London frequently and make it a point to take in one or two exhibits each time. Art and culture are abundant and highly accessible in…
An encounter with laundry … and a wall
It’s odd to see the screaming pronouncements “WASH! IRON!” through a sea of laundry along a busy alley. Sunday afternoon meant residents were out in the streets, and hanging every piece of…
Instagram glory
I confess that nowadays, the Iphone has become de facto of a wieldy DSLR despite my occasional dissatisfaction with the output quality of my old Iphone. My recent…
What I’m reading
Shanghai’s benevolent and beautiful spring weather is upon us, so get out there and enjoy it before the humidity and heat inflict their seasonal cruelty come June. Now, I…