Together with Tatiana Bazzichelli and Francesco Palmieri I am organizing several panels for the forthcoming Transmediale Festival in Berlin from 29 january till 2 february in Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt whose theme this year is “afterglow.” One of the panels deals with artistic-sexual rebellion and censorship in the Chinese netsphere. The speakers for this… Continue reading The Chinese Dream
Tag: beijing
The Cabinet of Miss Ma
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
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
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!
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
The Diarist & The Steamy Mob
I met with 15 students for a two-hour recorded session about Internet culture, social networks, pornography & censorship politics. We were probing and discussing ideas about the power of netizens and the government war on pornography. Many views and anecdotes were exchanged. As much as Chinese people know how to cope wity with government surveillance, they also use the web to… Continue reading The Diarist & The Steamy Mob
Caution, Contract!
I had lunch with my high spirited translators Mu and Carol. I moved on from fried duck and crispy duck skin to duck tongue preserved in egg-shaped jello. The jello-eggs looked very beautiful but the tongue inside tasted a bit bony, even though my friends called it very “smooth.” I started my interviews and noticed that people are… Continue reading Caution, Contract!
Peking Duck and Firecrackers
As I arrive in Beijing for a week of interviews for my new book, the city welcomes me with its rough romantic edge. It is snowing outside and I am chilling in a very charming renovated courtyard hotel lit up with red lanterns and hidden way in one of the old hutong. There is a major feast outside with home-lit… Continue reading Peking Duck and Firecrackers