Club Meeting on 9 October 2012
Post date: 05-Oct-2012 07:32:12
“Living History ~ photography projects in China”
by Black and White Documentary Photographer
Jo Farrell
Living History ~ photography projects in China
Photographer Jo Farrell will present two of her photographic projects from China.
Moon Pond: Reflections of China is a portfolio of work that depicts two ancient villas in Anhui Province.
Hong cun village was built in the Yongle Region of the Ming Dynasty and is shaped as an Ox. The natural fountain in the centre of the village was made into a crescent shaped moon pond and is thought of as the Ox’s stomach. A 400-meter long canal was dug to bring a winding stream of water from the east to the west of the nearby river, and is described as the Ox’s intestines. There are four bridges that cross over the river to the village and make up the Ox’s legs. After completion of the village many of its’ residents left and became rich merchants and high officials. They returned to the village and brought their prosperity back with them. Today more than 50 buildings survive from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The saying goes that “One generation plants the trees under whose shade another generation rests,” in Hong cun village the special waterways have provided fresh clear spring water from which the residents raise fish and water the nearby fields—making them self-sufficient.
The village of XiDi was named after the local river. The village has over 120 Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, 3 main streets, 40 lanes / alleys, and is in the shape of a boat. All the roads are paved with slab stones and zigzag through the village. All the houses are two-storey buildings with grey brick walls, dark tile roofs and wooden structures. The Horse-Head walls that tower above the buildings are a recognizable feature of the village architecture.
Living History: Women in China is a long-term project that documents some of the last remaining women with bound feet (http://jofarrell.com/boundfeet/) . Over the past six years Jo has interviewed and photographed over 50 women in Shangdong, Yunnan and Shanxi Provinces. Her work has received multiple awards and her aim is to have a major exhibition of the work with accompanying book.
About Jo Farrell
Jo Farrell is an award-winning black and white documentary photographer and culture anthropologist, born in London, England. Her work has been published on the BBC news website, San Francisco Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, LIP Magazine, Creative Quarterly, and a 100-page book was published in 2006 “Jo Farrell Photographs: 1”. Recent awards include: Black & White Spider Award (2012), Women in Photography Award (2012), Centre for Fine Art Photography (2011), and a Jacob Riis Award (2011). Her work has been exhibited in London, New York, LA, Denver CO and San Francisco. Jo has lived in Hong Kong for the past five years and will have her first exhibit in the city at HAJI Gallery in Sheung Wan opening on Thursday (OCT 11). Through her anthropological eye she captures traditions and cultures that are dying out using traditional black & white film, Hasselblad camera and darkroom technology. Each silver gelatin print is a limited edition piece.
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Lunch Meeting Details
The Rotary Club of Hong Kong is an English Speaking Club. We meet every Tuesday at 12:45pm at The Hong Kong Bankers Club - 43/F Gloucester Tower, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong (except public holidays)
Guests and Visiting Rotarians are always most welcome at our weekly luncheons.
(Please register online in advance)
Lunch Cost : HK$300 (by cash) / HK$310 (by credit card)
to be collected at the door
Typhoon Arrangement:
The Club Meeting will automatically be cancelled if Typhoon Signal No. 8 (or above) is hoisted and is not lowered
at 10 a.m. on the meeting day.
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