TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“soliloquy“)© Terence Teo, 2010

Documentary photographer and long-term drinks buddy, Terence Teo, is finally having his first solo exhibition at Objectifs from Oct 29 to Nov 18. soliloquy is his conversation with nature, the result of a journey through Japan in 2010. After years of documenting disasters throughout Asia, Terence sought a quieter side of nature, to contemplate, to discover and ultimately, to answer many unanswerable questions in life.

I think that his images and travelogue made something tingle within – a need to embark on my own journey one day; when I have had enough of this life. And after that, I shall begin the next phase. Till then, I rattle my chains and smile grimly.

Visit his tumblr site for some images from the exhibition (and other amazing images from the trip) and his portfolio to throw some jobs his way. (Mention my name so I can get a few rounds.)

A number of familiar names will be showing at the festival and a lot more unfamiliar ones. I will probably scour through the list and dig up the photographers’ works. What’s noteworthy is the slideshows to be shown throughout the city – one on the Bangkok unrest earlier this year and the devastation that ripped through Haiti.

A pity I won’t be attending (I used to lack the funds, now I lack the time.) but do make your travel arrangements early. I heard that accommodation would be close to impossible to find during that period.

Visit the website and the latest newsletter for more information.

Talk about East meeting West. Sanatorium, a gallery in Turkey, is showing an exhibition on Chinese contemporary photographers, Passing China, from March 25 to April 24. This is in collaboration with Eli Klein Gallery from New York. A look at the list of artists reveal some well-travelled photographers from China – Chen Qiang, Lian Dongya, Li Wei, Liu Bolin, Maleonn, Miao Xiaochun, Pan Yue, Wang Yiqiong, Zuoxiao Zuzhou.

I think that the cross-border showing of photography, especially outside the main art centers can be quite a good primer for a region’s works. I have lost count of the number of people asking me for advice on photography coming from Asia (despite this blog’s moniker, I’m not really an expert). However, the interesting bit comes in when, after viewing the more well-known works, one finds the few gems in the rough. It can be an exhilarating experience.

Visit the gallery’s official website to read more. C-Arts Magazine has a review of the exhibition held in New York here.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“swallow“)
© Dayoung Kang, 2009

Dayoung Kang’s swallow series depicts the anonymity and lack of identity in modern society. Faceless characters inhabit the images; unable to communicate with others in the society. The hidden wounds we carry haunt us, yet we continue to swallow the pain. Visit her website here.

This will be the last in the feature on Chung-ang University. I hoped you enjoyed it.

Andreas Heinrich: I’m just a small part of the whole. This will accompany me eternally. I will always only be a part of the whole. This is my fate and destiny.

Aruna Jawahahnnedig: I hope everyone is fine and will be doing fine in the future. I’m the person who could survive in the Tsunami disaster.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“The Guilty“)
© Kwon Ji-hyun, 2009

Kwon Ji hyun won the Best Portfolio award at the Bratislava Month of Photography. Her series, The Guilty, engaged the topic of social consciousness and responsibility. Through the series, she tried to reconcile the guilt of being an artist while the rest of the world continues in persistent suffering.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“?? (silent and loneliness) world“)
© Noriko Ishihara, 2009

Highly abstruse, the images’ visual references and palette create an ominous and fantastical feel to the entire series. Yet, beneath the abstract layers lie truths kept away from the world.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Menstrual Cycle“)
© Kim Ji-Hye, 2009

For an act as natural as breathing, the topic remains mostly shrouded in mystery for the other half of the human population. Scenes of physical/mental changes, heightened senses and embarrassment are revealed through her images and perhaps bring a little light onto a topic that is usually avoided.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“XO pale white“)
© Serry Park, 2009

From her statement:

I cannot open the window, nor watch the clock in my room. The only thing I can do now is to see the daylight from the windows, touch [the] fabric and fall asleep. I and the room, we both could take a rest. Only light and time flow in this room without any will. Then I feel like I finally give a complete denial of what is considered significantly.

She covered her entire room in fabric, removing the functions of the objects that surround her. The private space is turned into an ideal, leaving behind an impression of the prior functional aspects. The images are presented in a dream-like state, far from the messy and clutter we steep ourselves in.

Plug: If you’re an educator based in Asia and would like a similar showcase of works by your students, please feel free to contact me.