A few days ago I managed to meet with Miss Ma. She is a tailor who makes costumes for the costume players who live around Communication University of Beijing. We were hoarded into a dark alley by one of her young mates and customers, named Woody. The smell upon entering the cabinet was fantastic… Continue reading The Cabinet of Miss Ma
Month: May 2010
Schizoid with Vocaloid
I continue my search for people’s virtual characters and end up following cosplay photographer Francesca. We meet at the old communist factory-turned-art-district “798” where they have also preserved one of the old Chinese coal trains. Francesca uses this setting to take photos of her good friend Phoenix. Phoenix here is doing the girl character of the virtual singers from the voice… Continue reading Schizoid with Vocaloid
Beware:::Belgian New World Coffee
Nee, Nonkel Jos–Nobody around here knows how to brew your coffee. This strange faux antique ‘Belgian New World Coffee’ machine keeps popping up in restaurants near Renmin University. It is bogus and pricey and takes one hour to brew. It makes a small quantity of coffee but will give you a good laugh for sure (which is what Belgians… Continue reading Beware:::Belgian New World Coffee
Earthy and Dirty
I just arrived in Beijing at Renmin University where I will give a talk about animation fans and how they use alter egos and virtual siblings, or even entire imagined clans and families. I want to find out how and why they fantasize about alternative families and how they deal with pressures of the bio-family. But what are the first impressions… Continue reading Earthy and Dirty
Siu Ding Review of Milk + Performance, Videotage, Directed by Shu Lea Cheang
http://www.siuding.com/2010/05/milk.html Photo by Andrew Guthrie. More writing and processing to follow.
New Project:: Fantasy Families (FF)
Fantasy Families:::: Of Gothic Lolitas, Costume Players, doll players, and their virtual clans. And where I am located this time ? Look carefully on the lower left side of the family pic. Woofie!
Party Blogging
Clay Shirky once wrote a long time ago that reading blogs is like wandering around at a cocktail party and eavesdropping on various conversations. Some scenes from the may 8 party. My students were in a state of happy inebriation and wanted to act like my children. It was midnight and turning into Mothers Day. And here below my… Continue reading Party Blogging
Love My Others
Excerpt about love from my previous interview with Beijing costume player Francesa. Francesa’s photographs can be found at hybridre.deviantart.com/gallery F=Francesca, or Hybridre, Cosplayer and Photographer K=Katrien, Interviewer C=Carol, Translator/Interviewer C: Can I ask a question? Assuming that you and your lover are both cosplayers, when you cosplay two characters in love with each other, would… Continue reading Love My Others