Shenphoto Blog & News

Solo Exhibition in Shanghai.

2008-08-29T20:08:00.004-11:00

I am very pleased to announce my first solo exhibition in China will be open on September 13, 2008 at 3pm at Kunst.Licht Gallery in Shanghai. The exhibition will run through November 30th. If you happen to be in Shanghai, please check out the show.

Where is Pingyao?

2008-08-28T18:30:00.006-11:00

Pingyao City Wall

The famous Red Lanterns

I have been asked quite a few times about Pingyao recently? That’s because the 2008 Pingyao International Photography Festival is next month and it is the largest photo festival in China. Last year, Robert Frank’s exhibition at the festival became an national news, even more dramatically, Frank had fainted for a short while in a local restaurant at the festival. It was steamy hot and he ordered hot and sour soup (YUM). This year’s festival will include exhibitions by ICP. Contact Image, National Geography, etc., as well as many Chinese and foreign galleries. My friend Amy Elkins will have a solo exhibition and Amy Stein will be in a group show in the festival, I expect to see more familia names from the US. My work from Chinese Sentiment will also be included in a group show titled “Gazing China.”, my Shanghai gallery Kunst.Licht will show my Almost Naked series in the festival as well.

So where is Pingyao? It is at the center of Shanxi province. The city is established in BC 782, and was rebuilt and expanded in 1370 during Ming Dynasty. The walled ancient city is especially known for its architecture, both the 12 miles long wall around the city and the local houses. One of my favorite movie, Zhang Yimou’s Raising the Red Lantern was filmed in Pingyao. As I was told, all photographs will be hang in the original ancient houses, this just sounds too cool to be true. Anyway, I will go to Pingyao in two weeks and I am full of curiosity.

Writing on Almost Naked

2008-08-19T18:15:00.008-11:00

A few months ago, I got contacted by writer Marc Nieson for getting permission to write some of my portraits from Almost Naked, creatively not critically. Marc Nieson is a novelist and a screenwriter who won Special Jury Prize at the 2007 Venice Film Festival for his screenplay The Speed of Life, he also teaches at Chatham University for the MFA Creative Writing.

The writing on my work is initially commissioned by Silver Eye Center for Photography and Sherrie Flick as part of their "Point of View" programming. Here is two pieces of wonderful writing on two of my portraits. I am truly honored and love the pieces. It is refreshing to read stories of the pictures I have made, they stirs my memory a little bit.

The Pomegranate

So, what should I say?

One day even this will embarrass you, no
doubt. My dress, thick as drawing room
curtains yet just as revealing, your school
uniform with its creases of confusion. All like
some tapestry. Some tableau.

Perhaps Hamlet said it best — words, words,
words. Sumptuous, forbidden, divulge,
indulge. I’ll spare you the seasons of details.
Mostly, it’s not what you think. Let alone what
you’d ask. Of your father, you already know. At
least what’s felt necessary. Perhaps I’ve been
wrong to say so little. Certainly it’s ripe for that
talk too, but not today. All in due moments, I
promise.

The world is often halved. Our eyes typically
reveal less than our gestures. It’s all a pose. A
drama. Take note of the frame.

What else? Yes, take a big bite.There are many
seeds.

Room Service

That’s all I really wanted. Someplace warm for
the night. A room with a number, and tiny
mints on each pillow. Bible in the drawer.
Doesn’t seem so much to ask for, at least
tonight. Or that shoe store up the block with
the $10 sale. They’ll open at noon.

Outside it’s raining, not that you can tell. High
school was so easy, eight periods a day. Now
I’m between beds with this ocean in my head.
Still feeling kind of queasy. Footsteps next
door. They make it all sound so simple.
Directions you can follow written on the wall.
Do not disturb. Leave the towels on the floor.
In case of emergency, head for the stairs.

And in the morning it’s the maids who’ll come
knocking. They’ll clean up your mess, then roll
down the hall. I won’t speak their language,
won’t know from where they came. Maybe
they’ve got infants at home, maybe not. Maybe
I won’t go to hell.

-Marc Nieson

Christian The Lion.

2008-08-17T21:29:00.005-11:00

If you haven't seen this story, it is absolutely beautiful and touching. Especially when you also have pet(s) of your own, you will totally understand how wonderful that feeling is like. The power of unconditioned love! I just thought I would like to share this sweet moment with all of you. Go get some Kleenex!

Go! Beijing!

2008-08-09T20:31:00.005-11:00

Last night’s 2008 Beijing Olympic Game Opening Ceremony was absolutely spectacular! I got shiver as I watched how total 2008 drummers collectively mimic an enormous LED display screen and made the most creative and dramatic countdown I’ve ever seen. The whole show was just FANTABULOUS! Zhang Yimou is truly an artist and he made Chinese proud! It was like watching a Zhang Yimou movie; all the lights, effects and music were placed perfectly. And the firework was breathtaking even from my TV. I am so pound of China!

2-person show at Randall Scott Gallery

2008-08-07T21:31:00.003-11:00

Lori, 2008. © Shen Wei

Part of Randall Scott Gallery's summer exhibition series Eight, the 2-person show of Alexandra Catiere and I will start on August 9th and runs through August 22nd. If you are in the area, please check out the exhibitions.

The Hotness that is...

2008-08-03T14:58:00.006-11:00

The earthquake surviving panda babies and their caretakers. Somehow that last image reminds me of this...

A recap of China Trip Two.

2008-07-25T17:02:00.004-11:00

I am back from my second trip to China this year, the 3rd one is coming soon in September. This is trip is a bit different than last one. I actually had some mission to do. I was invited to participate the 2008 Shanghai Photography Week and The International Photographic Exhibition. The event was held in Song Jiang District of Shanghai, a slightly strange upscale district one hour out of downtown Shanghai. Nearly 40 solo exhibitions was held in Song Jiang Art museum and The Thames Town - a fake English town made for what I don't know. The week long event started with a very red and luxury opening ceremony follow with the endless tours and expensive round-table feast. The invited American photographers including David Goldes, Nick Ut, Victor Schrager and so on.

I spent rest of the trip climbed The Yellow Mountain, revisited Hong Kong and a few small villages in Anhui Province. The Yellow Mountain is very hard to climb, steep and slippery, not perticulaly hike-friendly. It took 2 and a half hours to reach my hotel on the mountain, but all the sour legs were worth it when I see the view on the top of the mountain, it is absolutely breathtaking. I stayed on the mountain for 3 days and only had explored less than 1/5 of the mountains, definitely needs to go back in the future.

Hong Kong is still as exciting as always, although the new Disneyland was very boring, nothing special.

The biggest steam room in the world that is Shanghai. You can't leave the house for 5 minutes without feeling like just dipped into some sticky water. But with all the excitements, glamorous and adventures, It looks like no one can't have enough of Shanghai Tang.

As I mentioned, I will go back to China in September for three exhibitions. I will have my first solo exhibition of Almost Naked series in Shanghai, a solo exhibition and a group exhibition in Pingyao Photo Festival. I will get back to you on these shows later.

Shanghai, Hong Kong and Yellow Mountain

2008-06-23T21:34:00.006-11:00

I am packing again for my upcoming trip to China in a few days. Besides my hometown Shanghai, I also plan to visit Hong Kong and the Yellow Mountain this time, possibly some little villages in between. I am a little more confident about this trip, because I have learned a lot from my last trip to China. I have been doing some leg press at the gym lately. I heard climb the Yellow Mountain is not easy especially with a backpack full of heavy cameras. I cannot wait to see the Yellow Mountain which is famously being very dangerous and cloudy. Even though I have seen hundreds of photographs it already, but who cares, I just have to go experience it myself and shoot it in my own sentimental way.

I will also attend the opening of the The 9th Shanghai International Photographic Ar Exhibition. My exhibition which contains about 30 images from Almost Naked will be included in the festival. The festival will have more than 60 exhibitions of photographers from all over the world. The event will be held in the Thames Town in Shanghai, which is a bazaar piece of art itself. The opening ceremony is on July 2nd at Song Jiang Art Museum.

I will get back to you more about my trip and the exhibition later. Meanwhile, I am once again frustrated about the decision on what cameras to bring, you know, Mamiya ... Pentax ... Mamiya ... Pentax ... Canon ...

Louis Vuitton audio guide to China

2008-06-19T20:15:00.003-11:00

Louis Vuitton has produced a series of three audio guides to China. Voiced by 3 top Chinese actresses, Gong Li for Beijing, Joan Chen for Shanghai and Shu Qi for Hong Kong. The audio guide is selling for RMB130 (US$19) each, what a bargin, consider it is labeled with LV. I am quite not sure how they decide the routes, definitely not for the tourist, oddly narrated. Gong Li and Joan Chen are my personal favorites, nothing can go wrong with them. The photographs are beautiful!

Check it out here!

Photographs of Monkey

2008-06-12T21:15:00.004-11:00

©CNImaging

©Dimas Ardian/Getty Images

Last night I stopped to see some monkey photos. Large, stunning and glossy prints, beautiful and soft light, extremely detailed close-up of the money faces, you can count their eyelashes. But, I left the gallery with little response. I just couldn't relate to the work.

A few month ago, I climbed a mountain in Southern China. After 30 minutes of climbing alone, I suddenly realize there is a HUGE monkey had followed me along, a king as I notice his straight-up tail. I was very scared, he looked at me with a lot of curiosity. He is 15 feet behind me, never made a move or a sound. When I got to the peak of the mountain, he finally came a bit closer to me and sat down on a rock. He was watching me the entire time I set up my camera and the minute I point to him, he sort of smirked and ran into the woods. I guess they don't like to have their photos taken, not even at their home.

I actually really like images of animal, many of them are very entertaining, but I prefer those when they are truthful, emotional and real. Above are a couple of really special monkey photo I absolutely adore.

Chinese Sentiment

2008-06-03T21:46:00.004-11:00

Just updated my website and added some new work from my new project Chinese Sentiment. It is a fresh start and only in its very early stage, but I thought I would like to give a bit of preview and hopefully receive some useful commons and critique.

HIJACKED: Book Launch and Photo Exhibition

2008-06-02T09:26:00.006-11:00

This Friday, June 6, from 7pm to 11pm is the book launch photo exhibition of HIJACKED: VOLUME ONE, AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA (Big City Press) at The Arm (281 N. 7th St., Brooklyn, NY). The book is included 44 photographers and is a survey of contemporary photography in both The United States and Australia. Some of my work is included in the book and I will definitely be there and hope to see some familiar faces, too.

Here is the list of the photographers:

(American - 20 Photographers)

(Australian - 24 Photographers)

The exhibition and book launch will also be held in Germany and Australia.

Other, Other...

2008-05-29T10:20:00.004-11:00

I have received a 2008 New York City/Urban Artist Initiative Fellowship and will be included in OTHER, OTHER... an exhibition features works by 18 artists and represent a sampling of 2007 and 2008 UAI/NYC recipients visual arts and media. The exhibition will be open on June 4, 2008 and will be view through August 7th at Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos.

Little things in life.

2008-05-26T17:15:00.003-11:00

While I was waiting at the acupuncturist's office the other day, the woman behind reception desk pulled out a mirror in front of herself and adjusted three needles on her head while taking an appointment, very stress free.

When I was at gym today, a spandex-loving man on a TriMill next to me was shouting at the TV, he explains that someone inside TV turned down a $330,000 offer from the banker on the show Deal or Not Deal. He said to me: "This show really can pump you up while you are running."

Both occasions I do not have my camera with me :-(

Limited Edition on Humble Arts Foundation.

2008-05-22T10:19:00.003-11:00

Humble Arts Foundation is a non-for-profit arts foundation that supports emerging fine art photographers. I am participating their Limited Edition on-line store to support the foundation. The print has edition of 10 and sell for the very reasonable price of $395. Click here to see the detail.

Pray for China.

2008-05-14T09:07:00.007-11:00

I was in a shopping mall in Shanghai when the earthquake hit. I felt a bit dizzy at the time, but soon realized something bad has had happened when I saw thousands of people jammed on the street.

I am back to New York City safely. Thank all my friends who called and emailed me to see if I am OK. My heart goes out to all the survivors who lost family members, friends and homes in Sichuan Province. Let's all pray for the victims of this tragic.

Beijing Surprise!

2008-05-07T08:15:00.005-11:00

I am on the way home to Shanghai from Beijing. The four days short trip in Beijing might be the highlight of this China trip. Beijing is quite an amazing city. I saw Tiananmen Square for the first time, was so excited, it is even more spectacular than I imagined. 798 Art Zone is also a must-see place in Beijing for art lovers, most galleries are showing Chinese themed work.

Beijing people are extremely nice, I love to listen as they talk to each other with their Beijing style Mandarin. On Tuesday, I attended a Photo Camp organized by Ren Yue, a photographer and a teacher from Renmin University of China where I also gave a lecture the day before. The event was held in Canon Communication Space, more than 60 photographers showed up, look at selected work and exchange self-made books, the atmosphere was absolutely touching; I really appreciate the generous and passionate charisma of Beijing people.

Worth mentioning is my fabulous hotel. A traditional courtyard style hotel in old Beijing Hutong outside the Forbidden City. The entire hotel is decorated just as hundred years ago, brick heated bed, wood carved furniture, China tea sets and the embroidered silk bed wears. It reminded me so much about my childhood when I slipped myself into those smooth silk bed sheets.

Before I leave Beijing, I had chance to visit Century City (世纪城), a resident area in the north of the city. Hundreds of slick, clean cut, and color coordinated high rising buildings neatly positioned by each other. This place had been a very popular photography site; it is appeared in quite a few well-known western photographers’ work. Very interesting and impressive site to visit.

Shanghai Panic

2008-04-27T05:03:00.002-11:00

Hello from Shanghai!

It was so unexpected for me to get panic when I tried to across the People Square in downtown Shanghai. I was standing there alone, couldn’t even move, absolutely lost any sense of direction. For those who try to avoid Time Square sometimes, just imagine yourself standing among maybe 10 times more amount of moving people in one place. Shanghai has been changed so much in the past 10 to 15 years that I can barely keep up with all the streets and subway routs. Eight years ago when I first left the city, there was one subway line, but now there are 13 lines plus 3 work-in-progress. The hardware of the city is just fantastic. I really fall in love with the city again. I love how I am getting a little bit culture shock in my hometown, how often can you have that kind of feeling. I guess I need to come back more.

I have talked about how every photographer went to Shanghai are obsessed about the buildings, that’s because it is simply too fascinating to be missed. I could not keep my eyes away from the cityscape every time I drove on the high way. I don’t know how to describe it, I have never seen so many skyscrapers in one place, it has been rainy and fog, the view is absolutely dreamy.

I am writing this on the plane to Guiyang, a small city in southern China where the life-style is more close to average Chinese living. This is so far a very fascinating trip and I think it certainly will keep that way. I will get back to you soon.

Carlo Van de Roer on 20x200

2008-04-17T10:31:00.004-11:00

But if you are reading this post by now and absolutely love this image (just like me), you are already too late, it was sold out on 20x200 in the blink of an eye. That's another reason I should check my email even more often. I was hugely disappointed that I missed this fabulous photo. I have been a fan of Carlo Van de Roer's work, I hope Jen Bekman will put out another image of Carlo soon.

The First Lady.

2008-04-11T22:08:00.007-11:00

This provocative photograph of the French first lady Carla Bruni was sold to a Chinese collector for $91,000 from Christie's a few days ago. The photograph was shot by Michel Comte in 1993 when Bruni was a supermodel. Well done, Mr. President Sarkozy. And I think PETA should ditch Holly for this.

Name this video.

2008-04-11T07:40:00.004-11:00

Since the success of my last "Name this video". I have been seeking another great video that worth common on. Sometimes the unintentional arty videos are the most ironic, like this one, so called Talent Selects. Basically the young talents of America just have to be looking hot and faking smile. I am sure this casting video is far more interesting than the actual sitcom they are in. Now all it needs is a title, then it can be sent straight to the nearest hotel lobby.

ICON Auction

2008-04-09T16:18:00.003-11:00

Tomorrow I will go check out the ICON ICP benefit auction. There will be a live auction and a silent auction, you can also bit online. There are quite a few very memorable images that I love, start with a reasonable $250 - $500. The auction is at Phillips de Pury & Company, 450 West 15th Street, NYC.

Obama on Baidu?!

2008-04-07T20:34:00.005-11:00

Just a few minutes ago, when I logged on the largest Chinese search engine Baidu.com for my daily feed of China news, I was rather shocked to see an Obama cartoon figure on it, hold a fishing net over the logo of the Chinese character 百度(Baidu), I wonder what he is fishing for?

Just read this article on NYtimes about Baidu.

China !

2008-04-03T20:03:00.007-11:00

©Liyu + Liubo

I am feeling home sick since I have not been back to China for a while, but I am going home in two weeks. I am so extremely excited! I spent a few weeks to plan out my trip in China, will stay half the time in hometown Shanghai, and then trying to squeeze 4 destinations into another tight 15 days. So if you are in Beijing北京, Hangzhou杭州, Suzhou苏州, Guiyang贵阳 and of course Shanghai上海, and would like to meet or sit for a portrait, please email me.

For the last few year, I had an interesting way to learn about the changing of China through photography. Many western photographers had gone to China, document the booming land with a foreign perspective. I can't help to notice that only very few Chinese photographers have chosen to point their lens to the landscapes of China, most of them are more interested in the people, life-style and politics. This is also my first time back home as a photographer, I will give a lecture/workshop in universities and have small gatherings with other artists in China.

Last night I read a shocking news of the rice shortage in China, no joke, that has never happened, even when we don't have enough pork, I still had rice. I guess time has really changed.