Reaching 200

 Social Media is quite a thing, lots of  famous people (and not so famous) have thousands of followers, I am hovering around 200 people on twitter, this is as a result of friends, local people and people who have similar views (I think) to me politically.

It is not a big deal for me and I'm often surprised by tweets that do get retweeted or liked - I suppose it's when there's some sort of resonance (I guess it's what I do to). 

For me the habit of sending a photo out each day on twitter started about six or seven years ago and it remains the main thing that keeps me engaged but since the last 2 or 3 years I also find political (Local, National and International) can be engaging ands sometimes it will make me a little angry, the action of tweeting or retweeting can help dissipate those feelings somewhat.

As well as a few friends I have a cousin who is in Spain and is passionately anti Brexit and I think anti-this Tory government, it is nice to keep in touch with him via twitter.

 My next thoughts are to start regular uploads to YouTube, I've been inspired by Naomi SexyCyborg Wu (in China) and Merumo in Japan., I like the idea  of a big theme in bite sized episodes  (as Merumo has done with a history of the sex industry).

The other area I'm drawn to is Art and here I like the style of the late Robert Hughes (famed for Shock of the New'). 

I'm not motivated by income or fame but think that the discipline and goal could be good for me and hopefully I will produce something that engages - watch this space!

Photography & Selfies

 I was intrigued to watch a youtube video that critiqued the way that China/Japan (and Korea)  have embraced  the art of the selfie and it brought to mind my own first experiences of visiting the far eat (early 80's) .

I went to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong (with a couple of trips into China) and was told that particularly in China Photography was viewed with suspicion by many and this applied especially to those of an older age group, many it seemed considered that the was the possibility of the spirit being caught.

Now many in Japan, China and South Korea have really taken photography to their hearts and tourists from the Far East are noticeable in how they wish to have photo's of themselves in  picturesque locations.

It seems that there are cameras and 'apps' designed specifically to make the most of the market for selfies which help improve one's appearance.

Although it seems the aspect of selfies is pronounced in Asia the phenomenon  is pretty strong in the West too and I suppose it says something about the way connections are now made and maintained - I am not sure if the use will escalate but it's something interesting that I intend to keep an eye on.

  Perhaps part of the reason for the full on attitude of the 'East' with selfies is the accelerated uptake there - indications that the rapid adoption of all photography is still challenging  and with time these countries could become more like 'we' in countries that have had longer to familiarise ourselves with portrayals of ourselves.

Lessons from History

 ...well of course there are countless ones- and if we don't learn from what's gone before we're cursed to repeat mistakes.

I am thinking here though about what I picked up and directions I might be taken from a short-ish session on a History of Japanese Woodcut Printing  (Ukiyo-e)  run (on Zoom of course by City Lit.

The session which the leader (Carol Wilhide-Justin)  stressed was a personal one but it pointed way beyond the artisan craft into Colonialism in Asia (European and Asian) and some possible perspectives into the hegemony of the 'West '.    

 So I have some interest in Printmaking from many years back including a brief introductory course about 8 years ago I am also interested in Japan and the Japanese.

Well a quick summary of the facts we were given:

The Art  originated in China and is usually (in it's classical form)  connected to the hardwood from Wild Cherry trees. 

There's a nice summary of the art here.

.What I hadn't realised though is :

Japan has a long connection with the Dutch who were trading with the Japanese  prior to USA and France.

That  Japan literacy was in 19th century was about double the rate of European (at around 80%) and what was said to be the first novel was produced there too (The Tale of Kenji), The Japanese excelled at illustrated books and a clear line can be seen to present day Magna books.

It is interesting that this first novel was written by a woman and there are some quite interesting  non-conforming female figures coming out of China and Japan at present (For Japan the Social Historian/Journalist Youtube's  Merumo Think Tank and from Shenzen, South China the iconoclastic and gender busting  Cyber Punk Naomi Wu).

A couple of more specific points are now knowing that the registration mechanics are the 'Kagi  Corner' and following a question it is noted that up to 25 separate blocks (and therefore colours) could be used.