I wrote this journal on actual date of travel. I thought of editing it before publishing, to take out "emotional stuff". But then again this is how I was during the trip. Censoring my thoughts to look pretty or fixed or unfazed, goes against the intention to chronicle this important trip. I highly doubt if anybody would read this whole thing. Posting it anyway for posterity (?). Hong Kong was the first of the 3 "homecoming" trips I did in Nov-- homecoming to Project Glocal sites -- HK BKK and SG. Praying that while Project Glocal helped me get out of the "grey" in 2012, it could do the same again, this time around. (20Jan2025)
Nov1, 9.30PM
I did not realised how much I have missed Hong Kong until I got here. For context I have been working with Hong Kong artists, which required me to go in and out of the city since 2012. 2015, I moved here to start my PhD. 2017, I became bi-local between Manila and Hong Kong to do both my PhD research (since my topic is Manila and Hong Kong) and to attend to my cancer treatment (since my comprehensive medical records are in Manila). With the way that I am (easily overwhelmed sensorially-- one of my many "factory" defects!) and the way I was raised (a bit sheltered), while Hong Kong being very metro/ cosmo/ organic (and sometimes chaotic) city, seemed like an unlikely match. But what can I say, I have the penchant for "falling for the wrong guy". And so here I was, sweet calling Hong Kong as my darling Home Kong. I made a lot of friends here over the years. Some, I have no contact with anymore, and others became my family. My postgrad ended at a very curious time: in 2019 I successfully defended my dissertation at the midst of protests; in 2020 I attended my graduation virtually in the middle of CoVid Pandemic. I have not been back since I hauled the last of my stuff in February 2020. Just a few weeks before the lockdown. I can't help but wonder, how things would have played out if I stayed here during the whole pandemic and Hong Kong "transition" (to say the least).
Fast forward to today. I am here now for the Listening Academy co-organised by soundpocket for Listening Biennial. This is the point of this journal anyway-- to record my days spent here during the Academy. I will be recording whatever-- activities, conversations, thoughts, feelings, output, food, hopefully everyday, hopefully some things that I and others might find useful/ worthy
remembering.
Here goes...
I was met by familiar faces in the airport: Mandy (one of the soundpocket amazing person, whom I met earlier this year for a project in Manila), Luk Mui arrived from Japan (who was a former soundpocketeer too), Akio Suzuki and Hiromi Miyakita (old friends of soundpocket, who I met during several "Around Sound Festival", and some other events), and a new face, Liana (one of the soundpocket currents). It was a happy reunion at the airport, as if already setting the tone for the rest of the week.
We arrived at our accommodation, Tung Po (東蒲), in a scalding hot early afternoon (I was expecting a little Autumn already). First order of business was food, of course siu mei fan at the closest cha chaan teng (茶餐廳). Food coma followed, as expected.
Then out again for food again, and meet the rest of the participants and local artists. More familiar faces: Yang Yeung, of course (our host and my soul-sister from another bloodline), Brandon LaBelle (whose fault that we are all here, Listening Academy was his idea), Viv Corringham (whom I met once in Manila, when she was mentor for soundpocket), Brian Chu (one of the rapporteurs, and participant of my FTR sound camp in Feb), Wong Chun Hoi aka seadog (who I met at Floating Projects during my postgrad), Mui, Mandy and Liana joined us too. And new faces: Budhaditya Chattopadhyay, Catherine Clover, and Kanta Kochhar-Lindgren (or we might have met in the past because we were here in residence the same time, but both don't remember).
Most conversations started with exchanging greetings, curious thoughts about the food, little about politics, how we are all ready to go into a food coma the 2nd time in one day, and many laughs.
To me, the day was more of a feeling than anything. It felt like NEW. You know how it is when you have a new book-- while it has all those familiar old words inside, yet you remain excited about it because you recognise the familiar "new smell" of freshly printed, unturned pages. You'd like to fan the pages with your thumb to feel their gentle flapping, feel the soft breeze it makes... and wonder, if this is a book that you'd like to keep reading...
Nov2, 10.30PM
We are not ending this day with food coma for a change, at least I won't. I could barely ate. My body had not been good the whole day (one of the challenges I have to face for having a digestive system that's missing few organs (removed earlier this year) and other organs "for repair"). But the spirit is high. Very happy (almost proud of myself) for being able to march along with the team in this hectic day of outing.
We went to an old village called Ko Po. It is in so many ways like the other Hong Kong villages I have been to in the past (Kam Tin, Ping Che, etc).
Our outing was facilitated by soundpocket old timers Yuk-mui and Kwong Wing-ka (they are from almost 10 years ago! I adore these people). In addition to the gang last night (minus Kanta), So Wai-lam, soundpocketeer the same time as Mui and Wing-ka was also there as participant, and Cedric Maridet, current president of soundpocket and one of my most admired artist in Hong Kong. We also met Hedy Chu, who is one of the rapporteurs for LA, like myself, and a number of young artists (whose names I fail to remember... sorry! but very warm presence.)
The first stop looks a bit delapidated. It was the site in the Village were Wing-ka's grandparents used to live. It had buildings in different stages of decay, reuse and/or transformation. This one was at the entrance of the Village.
It was bi-aural though! Facing the street on my left ear was a machine (can't see but hear) demolishing one of the old buildings, and on the right (my weak ear) I heard dogs and birds and wind and foot step. The sound that our foot steps made against the concrete drain covers were also very curious. Almost sound like music.
Then we went to the canals where Mui had her 24hrs recording. There were two sets of tunnels. I made these recordings on the first. The second one, where Mui actually left her recorder for 24hrs, was longer than the first and understandably much darker and stuffier.
While the rest of the participants chatted, I went out because I thought the space outside was more curious. There was a tin hanging in one of the tunnels. Wing-ka said it is signal that people are doing maintenance work in the area. It was like a whole chapter of a novel--hanging there, swinging as the wind directs it, reflecting light or hiding in the shadows of the massive structure it is attached to, and speaking for the cutters (we didn't actually saw/ noticed until we were about to leave the place). Yangyang was observing it intently.
Kensa was some foot away, on the grass sketching.
A heron, patrols closeby.
Wing-ka and Lam are by the collection bin of the canal. Little fish were appraoching Wing-ka's soaked feet. I asked, "are they going to bite you?"
I pan back to the tunnels. Brandon was recording by the middle entrance.
The rest of us were still inside. I can hear them with my good ear.
We walked some length (or maybe just a few and I was just low battery) to a bakery to rest and wait for our coach at the Village centre. Two things: I chose the wrong bread (I was expecting a buttery taste, I got something with meat taste, which turned my stomach upside down, but I manage to hold it in); and we TAMBAY for a bit. This I Ilike, just watching people move around, not being compelled to say, or respond to anything.
Too many cars passing by/ getting in! Curiosity strike... Just minutes before leaving, Hiromi and I decided to have a look around the Village. Yep, it does look a lot like Kam Tin. I even saw my favourite Village home feature-- the pipe installation or actually a dainty looking outdoor plumbing over red/ brown bricks/ tiles, and the laundy hanging in front of the house (didn't take photo because that's rude!). Always have been a fan of these "functional installations".
I just "passed out" in the coach going to the dinner place. My battery is reaching almost zero. Brandon said the scene was gorgeous. Somebody else said (I forgot who) that the road was winding.
At the dinner place, this so comfortable/ comforting place (for some reason) called Black Window, I chose the spot farthest from everybody. But I ended up in a table with enthusiastic conversation with Brandon, Budha, Cedric and Catherine. The first topic of conversation was death (of all possible topics). It is not my favourite, especially this year. As some of you might know, I am too close to it-- you know how you feel when you where a teenager and you have zit on the top of your nose, and somebody will point it out to you, as if you don't already see it-- that feeling. It is not really a big deals, it’s just the wrong timing, and I am sure they didn't mean me any harm. Just the same I wanted to extract myself, but too weak to make anymore extra movements.
After having a bit of sugar from the drink and food, I perked up a bit and was able to appreciate more the company. Budha was talking about a 32 course meal, possibly tiger infested mangrove that can be abated by wearing mask, and a liquer that will make you pass out for 2 days! Cathrine shared about grandfather's clock and her parent's. Brandon also talked about his grandparents...and a lot more.... Cedric was being a lovely host, since he is the local on the table, engaging with all topics while trying to get our orders right. Then somehow conversation went to not institutionalising our projects-- like LA. Not sure I contributed anything of worth in this cycle, I am sure I shared some things. But I was actually barely there. The other half of me was so busy trying to keep the other look stable.
Yang stood up to make the intros. This is my fave part as a host, because it reminds you that you are among the people you chose to be with, and usually these are people you like the most among the billion others in the planet. I feel Yang's emotions as soon as she got up. I tried very hard to disconnect but too weak to manage. Yang ended by reading a note-- it contains many things, but what I heard: hope despite, moving forward by stepping back and but it was worth it.... these must have meant differently to the people in the room, this is what makes Yang's message striking, hitting the core, that despite our varied origins and destinations, there is a spot where we meet and somehow becomes/ became part of each other's lives. I say today, LIFE trumps DEATH.
I still have work to do for home (it came in earlier this morning with such urgency that it had to be delivered on Sunday). But in closing, I'd like to recognise that the highlight of my night was to see Fiona Lee, Seadog and Fukkeun again in the same room. These are the "kids" when I was living in Hong Kong. They seem more mature talking about real adult things like "their home", "their partner", "their job". But they feel the same. They feel like pedestrian crossing on green light-- the light that won't turn green until you tap on that filthy pad, and that sound that I have recorded a million times over because it exactly sounds like "move la!"
Nov3(4), 4.40AM
Homecoming. Past two days, I thought I have already processed the emotions that comes with homecoming. It turns out I haven't. Feelings flooded as soon as I saw the "University" sign from the highway. This was the same sign that told me for many years that I am almost home (in Lingnan).
A few more metres, I saw Fu Tai Shoping Centre sign, and no matter how fast the bus that blurred the vision, I saw WHC&WJY (there, the twin towers at the middle of this frame), my home for 5 years.
And it got even more intense as I draw closer to Tang Kwok Hin's place... this is where it all started... over pun choi dinner with Project Glocal gang (2012)
I intentionally did not go near Hin when he came down from his residence. I was trying very hard to stay in the "I am here as part of program, not a reunion" mode.
Moderated by Yang, there was a brief debriefing about the outing yesterday by Mui. Then introduction of 1983 was done by Hin after. Their exchanges on how they were got to know each other, on how this circle came to form, made it hard for me to stay focused in the present.
I failed miserably when I had to introduce myself-- a choke led to full blown tears. I babbled of how I missed being here, how I feel all nostalgic, and happy being back, and remembering the times when I thought I will not be back. I was embarassed because like in the past I know I can be senseless when I get emotional. This short minute felt like forever. Dark cloud of anxiety immediately formed...I felt like I wasted/ing everybody's time. Anyway, I kept on the schedule, despite, trying to fight the feeling (because maybe, i thought, it's just the depression talking, they don't find me a nuisance, they don't hate me).
While Nigel Brown did his workshop for children, Fiona, Seadog and Mito, brought us for late lunch and to Fiona's residence.
This was a good of hour of comfort...
We went back to 1983 exactly on time, at 6.30 for the dinner and a presentation by Brandon and Nigel. Kanta opened the evening by doing short activity of listening using the skin, and small movements. This gave me a short boost. I entered dinner giddy from the exercise.
I thought the idea of how the dinner was served was very thoughtful. Instead of just serving food, there were information on how they were made what we are partaking on and what's the point-- pairing sake with hors d'oeuvre, and it was paced in a way that people would have time to appreciate one set before the other arrived.
While dinner was still happening, Brandon did his presentation, introducing the Listening Biennial-- how it came out of his experience during the pandemic, how listening (of various forms) help him process the days. I didn't manage to get any photos because I was also observing the live speech caption (which something I am researching to aid our teaching in UP of students who are hard-of-hearing or deaf, just before I came here). Every time Brandon addressed me to mention something or add something to what he's showing, I obliged. Now I realised I should have just said he can go ahead. This turned out to be a trigger to make the anxiety cloud thicker as the night progressed.
Nigel did a detailed presentation of how Ting Shuo Studio in Tainan, Taiwan was founded and the projects they did.
Kanta prompted the conversation by brining questions of institution and community. Brandon responded by saying that the design of the Biennial and the Academy allows for interconnection between and among various institutions and communities. What ties these all together is listening. Nigel on the other hand, reviewed his presentation saying that the Studio is designed to be responsive to community and accommodating to institution. Later, Yang also brought the question of risk. Kanta responded that there is correlation between risk and opening up. I thought of how this was twice a concern during preparation of Listening Biennial last year for Manila and Bangkok. For Manila, putting together different cliques in the program was a risk we had to take, to be more inclusive, to recognise the extent of the community of practice. For Bangkok, it was the risk of how to connect with the workshop participants considering both the idea of listening/ sound mapping/ etc is new and language is a challenge (especially we did not have enough funds for translators). We did both anyway. My point of sharing is to say that Kanta is correct, that risk is correlates to what you open-up. And in my opinion, taking the risks by opening-up, gave us more possible openings for possible futures. Brian followed by asking how risk is defined in this conversation. Yang responded by reminding to bring the thoughts in the present and that she is thinking of risk more in theoretical level. Brandon responded to this. I did not catch so much his response. I had a sudden trigger that allowed the anxiety cloud to swallow me completely this time (maybe because I am also already tired). As a default, I tried to find a corner, and waited until it was time to go back to the hostel.
I was up the whole night, fighting to get out of the cloud. It must have been morning already when I found clarity, that I should not have been here...at least not yet. I am not well enough yet (psychologically) to be in public, to be in open conversations, to be in social situations, to be in situations that requires emotions or to temper emotions. I was contemplating on booking a flight home asap and hide back in my condo, like a turle in its shell, the way I manage a life these past few months.
(this was Travis's cloudy sake and properly tattooed hand. we sat beside each other during Brandon's presentation. he said he met me in London in July. he was there during my talk. anyway, memory of our brief exchange brought me to what followed...)
Much later in this early morning, I convinced myself that since I am already here, I will continue being here, and try very hard to be in the NOW, and be disentangled. I will just deliver the task I said yes to, which is to report what transpired, to deliver 2 other lectures, but to keep myself personally scarce. Hopefully, this will avoid another episode until this trip is over. Or if not being too hopefully, that things might turn around, and I have a great experience that will help me to finally get out of my present rot. Now I try to sleep.
Tomorrow (which is today) is another day. EXHALE.
Nov 4, 11PM
“Woke up” from the sleepless yesterday at 6 as usual. I was “back home in Manila” for a short meeting with a colleague at 7, and the University Council from 8.30-12. While doing this I also did some urgent paperwork for my admin task. Sometime before the morning ended, I went out of my room to get hot water for tea. Bumped into Hiromi, as usual warm as summer, she said they’re heading to Cheung Chu in a bit. I really wanted to go. But oh well, despite the meeting, I don’t think I’m in proper physical shape to be outdoors today.
Noon I met up with Brandon and Budha for a quick lunch. I forgot that they eat properly, brought them the cha chaan teng with all meat stuff 😹 We managed to find another place to eat. Budha headed to Floating Projects, Brandon and I went to Asia Art Archive after lunch.
AAA looks different now. They had a renovation. While waiting for our guide, I was laser scanning the bookshelfs and can’t stop thinking how much materials they have here about Asian Art that we don’t know of in Manila. This is so relevant because designing syllabus for Asian Art was the task I was doing before leaving Manila last week.
We were met by two young curators and gave us a thorough tour of the current exhibition, nestled within the library. Some of their collection were also displayed in the library. Aki Onda’s cassette was there. Took a snap and sent it to him.
They were also so sweet to bring out publications that are attributed to us. Brandon’s “Acoustic Territories” and my “Confertum” What a delight!
After the tour, we headed to Floating Projects at JCCAC. I left Brandon to prep for his presentation, and went with Edward for early dinner. Just outside JCCAC is a shop selling innards (isaw, we call it in Manila)— that’s dinner! (and a very beautiful heartfelt conversation about our present individual struggles. this was one company in misery that i felt unjudged. thanks ed!)
The presentation started on time so far. It was called, “the wanderer, the pirate, and the ear of the other”…
The information I received from the two are almost the same. That these two are performative “innovations” that is atuned to my own practice (maybe that’s why we are in the same room now). To better understanding how their innovations fare in the actual practical field, I asked Kanta the place of people “without disability” in her innovation focused on making art inclusive for people hard of hearing, blind, etc. As I hoped, Kanta’s response was that it is not entirely about disability but making art inclusive. I also asked Brandon the direction, trajectory and challenges of what looked like a very ideal organic set-up. His response was that exhaustion can be a challenge but to keep moving it’s direction forward.
There was a lady who shared about Ukraine and asked about the politics of sound. Another person shared the difficulty or precarity of the HK situation and how it changes the dynamics of interaction. Travis shared about nonlinearity of art production and how queering might be the way to move forward, or to leap. Yang prompted the room by quoting Civil: how to claim joy? Brian, ended the session beautifully by sharing that in his improv band, there’s this piece where one member creates a drone by uttering “keep moving” throughout the song, and this might be the way to leap, to claim joy.
Kanta’s presentation has the stronger emotional impact for me, because of it’s proximity with my work last year with children with disability. People then to place disability as a disadvantage. I like that Kanta proved it an opportunity to create new aesthetic possibilities.
(brandon’s photo)
After the program I told her how much her presentation meant to me and shared with her via email more information on my project I Own A Universe, when I got back in the hostel. I wrote to her, “Anyway I am sharing this part of what I do because hearing the presentation tonight is indeed an affirmation that making a more inclusive world is one of art's many magics.”
Walk and MTR back to the hostel was cookie. I was with Hiromi and Akio, Viv, Nigel and Liana. We ended up making fun of the privileges of getting old, me being left out from their Cheung Chu site visit today, getting excited for Jollibee lunch tomorrow, and a beer stop in 7-11.
Today was surprisingly tamed.
Nov 5, 9PM
We had a late start and turned-in early today. It wasn't much of a long day. It is just that I have not been feeling too well. I feel a bit weak and aching here and there. I am sure this is nothing serious. Just not used to moving so much.
As planned, Hiromi, Akio, Liana and I went to Jollibee for early lunch at 11. Nigel joined too. Uneventful but added more points to our bonding time.
Then we headed to soundpocket, spent sometime looking at their project outputs and publication. Their project that turned old promotional materials into zine is such a genius! Save cost of materials, make productive use of extra things around, and create something beautiful and meaningful. Perfect!
Mandy and Liana switched assignment. Mandy then brought us to Edward's studio in To Kwa Wan, somewhere where old soundpocket was. It is a shared studio, which is something I find curious, and have experimented with in the past. I wonder how this works, since it is for long duration? Anyhow, Edward's collection is impressive. He has a good survey of China and Hong Kong (and Japan) materials on experimental music, noise, and sound art. His dsplay is also so well organised. I was envious of the display module. It's industrial, streamlined.
We headed back to Floating Projects for the introduction of Catherine's walking workshop. It was a brief introduction that gave us an overview of previous similar work Catherine did. We are supposed to walk around the market, observe, listen, maybe record (in whatever way we want) what we experience.
Took a short MTR and a bit of walk towards Prince Edward Flower Market, headed to Yuen Po Bird Market.
The long beautiful flower market proved to be a strong contrast to the bird market. Could this be the reason why they were placed side-by-side?
Arresting. This was my feeling in the initial encounter with the birds in cages. I have seen birds in cages-- there is an aviary at our family farm, but I am never a fan of caged animals (not even aquarium).
I didn't have enough power today to find another part of my brain to process the experience. This is what I wrote...
My drawing of birds looked like ghosts...Like anything in cages or shackles, they became more a blur.
Catherine brought the group back for sharing. I thought she was amazing to have been able to have everybody say something about their experience, without feeling forced.
We capped the day with a hefty amount of Dimsum. Seating and chatting beside Akio, Chung, Catherine, and to an extent Nigel was a different experience. It's my first time meeting Chung and Catherine. So still, too many topics to talk about. Nigel is familiar because we already met in a music festival in Taipei two winters ago, and we roam around the same circles. Akio is the longest I've known in this small circle. And I knew he has has limited English, but as Hiromi always jokingly say, Akio actually speak a global language that you would understand each other somehow. Food coma. I floated home-- exhausted, over-fed, but feeling productive despite... and very thankful that there are not too many emotions today.
Tomorrow we head to an island... still gauging if my body is strong enough to go... maybe I go regardless... what's the worst that could happen, or better yet, why don't I give a chance to what good thing might happen...
Nov 6, 7.30PM
This was a very long day. Or maybe just a normal day, but we were out in the sun so much, walked so much, as I'm getting dizzy on and off, which made the day feel like its endless. Anyway, despite this, I'm really glad I went. This is perhaps one of the highlights of the Listening Academy.
We left Tungpo at 9, headed to the Piers and took the Ferry for an hour. The Ferry was filled with people I met in the past and new acquaintances from the beginning of the Academy.
We landed in Cheang Chau. It is a small coastal town. Kind of reminds me of Mariveles (the town where I spent my childhood).
From the time we set foot, I already have a thought lingering on one side of my brain-- what do the residents think of us being here. Is it alright? This is in no way a critique to the project. I really do not think we are doing wrong. And their thoughts might either be good or bad. I am just wondering what others think about our presence. Every new arrival, no matter how frequent or expected, gives out a feeling, taps into expectation, plays with the dynamics of how one planned his/her day.
Viv launched our sound walk by saying we are supposed to walk quietly. This is my favourite part. Besides that I didn't want to speak to reserve my energy, I was already having a loud conversation with myself within. We walkedn in the town, round the corners, walk up. Then we stopped in a patio.
I wrote on my phone:
speaking to each other
speaking on the phone
tv
radio
birds
bike
vent
sometimes my shoes scrapping on the ground
loud old men
stroller
mahjong
dog
music
loud old women.
I wonder what the residents heard from us.
People speaking in English in different accents?
Foot steps
their dogs barking
I am not sure what else.
Viv told us to listen to us, to our self. I listened more intently to my movements, to my footsteps. We proceeded. Ah yes, my footsteps can be heard, not just when my sneakers scratches the concrete road. I started to struggle with my breath. Let this not be asthma attack. Let this just be tired.
We finally arrived in what seems like a temple compound. I sat down in the shade for a bit, until Viv called us in a circle for a Heart Chime. This is such a cherry on top. Making a drone sound and feeling my heart, and my neighbours heart vibrate is so calming.
Hiromi started her performance on the rock formation. It had been almost a decade since I last saw Hiromi dance. The recognition was immediate. Indeed she is this graceful. So beautiful to watch her playing with the wind or what little wind was there. After a few, she asked the participants "to find the wind" using whatever tool they think they can use. I wanted to participant but I'm worried about my dizziness and what feels like a brewing asthma attack. I have to stay put. I will stay put in a cool corner. Observe. And pray that I have strength to last the day.
In my corner I watched people. Exactly across my view was Yang and Akio. They are in some sort of conference. I pulled out my notebook and started doodling. Mapped out The location of few other people and objects in front of me.
Hiromi convened the people for sharing. Curious sorts of objects chosen to capture the wind. Beautiful dance.
Before we left for break, Viv, Hiromi and Akio performed. Viv's voice, Hiromi's movement and Akio's air in an okarina (or a flute?).
Lunch was delightful. I spent it with Sui Fong. Someone I knew from long ago. I like that we are now both full time working in the University. We had wonderful interesting conversations about work, not work, things that don't work, or not working. I have always found her and Mui so warm a presence. It would have been nice to have this lunch with both of them, unfortunately, Mui already went back to Japan.
In the afternoon, we started with Akio's performance using his analopos, an instrument with two tin cans attached to a spring. This instrument is very familiar because it looks like the "telephone" children use in tree houses (during my childhood). It was a performance I have seen in the past, but still delighted a feeling of joy. We walked abit again to To-day bookstore. There, Akio performed by putting his ear listening mark on the ground, which encourages people to spend time listening to their surroundings. Akio compared it to meditating.
The group slowly dispersed after this. I joined Ryo's family (Agatha and Yu-chan) back to the city. Like in summer, walking with Ryo in the city is never boring. We just have too many linkages, which gave us a neverending list of things to talk about.
I reached home by 7. Exhausted. I cannot do anymore work to prepare for tomorrow's lecture. I'm on my period, which makes everything else, extra heavy. But I deserve an early night sleep. It was a day well spent.
Nov 7(8), 12AM
Last day of Listening Academy. We closed the day with a listening session with Budha. By this time, I was already too fidgety to be in public. I hope I did not offend or hurt anyone with my actions or words.
Before this we had dinner at a Buddhist Vegetarian restaurant, which I learned gives out food to elderly very often. Good people. The food is good. If only we have this kind of vegetarian food in Manila, I might already convert. What is more interesting about this dinner was when an uncle and an auntie "fought" at the cashier on who will take the bill-- they both want to take it. Very common to Asians, but this is the first time I saw a geriatric version, which apparently is more intense (and I must say-- entertaining).
The afternoon was spent on a meeting and a short walk with a group of local young artists-- Travis, a returning local, whom I met in summer in London, was part of the group; we were also joined by Anisa, Michael, and 2 other young lades (I forget their names, but I remember their characters-- one is an experimental musician, and the other is an illustrator that looks like a Shanghai model). As usual, I only remember the names of those who touched me the most. Michael is very charming. He reminds me so much of when Fukkuen, Hoi and Fiona were still young. He even gave us a short performance.
Anisa somehow reminds me of myself-- in search for something, not necessarily something bigger, but something that will help her understand the things she holds dear. It was weird to hear the same worse come out of her-- the exact same phrases I said before "When I do these now (art), I feel they are boring...). I intentionally didn't tell her this feeling, because I am not sure if it would be productive. But still, I am happy to have met her and be reminded of once upon a time.
After an hour and half of chatting at Floating Projects, we went out for a short walk around the neighbourhood. Still chatting along the way. We went to the building with bamboo scaffoldings, which was a curious sight since we first came to JCCAC earlier this week. We went to a residential building with food stalls. Had a little snack. Then when to the playground for a HK tourist favourite photo.
The break between morning and afternoon sessions was a beautiful vegetarian meal by Black Window. I can't describe extra. I just love their food!
In the morning was a brief presentation led by Budha on listening. Many ideas were floated like: listening in, listening out, listening inward, not-listening, unlistening, hyper-listening, co-listening. This somehow served as take off point in talking about the experience from the Cheung Chau visit. More concepts were floated around, like: privelege, intimacy, trust. I also shared here the conversation that was happening in my head. I don't think I explained my point clearly, Viv, from her comment, obviously got my point, but to most, it might just sounded like I was uneasy about the exercise. Ah anyway, I am getting used to being blurred now.
This day was extra early start for me. I was at School for Creative Media in City U earlier in the day (as in 8am started moving) to give a lecture to Ryo's class. As expected, they are mostly quiet. Two or three questions after the lecture. No interruptions during. But I am so glad it was in person, because I saw the students reacting in many parts of my lecture. They are receiving and processing. I could only keep on hoping that they find something useful in that 2 hours I was with them. Bonus to see Ren, Ryo's advisee, who I met in London in Summer, and Edwin Lo, one of the informants for my dissertation.
(photo by Edwin Lo)
Tonight marks the end/ beginning of Listening Academy. There were many good byes and see you laters. Some of us will still stay a few days in Hong Kong, while most will fly out later tomorrow (today). I still have few days here. Doing a lecture tomorrow evening (today at 7.30PM), meeting cohorts from CUS, meeting Project Glocal friends, and hopefully get to visit M+ and TST Museums, which were closed when I left Hong Kong in 2020.
EXTRA
Nov 8, 10.30PM
Delivered a presentation with Brandon and Ryo at the Eaton Hotel for Chinese University Hong Kong's Ecology of Participation Series. An academic talk in a hotel beside a bar on a Saturday evening... I was surprised to see the place full.
Nov 9, 11PM
Touristing day.
Went back to AAA for a talk on Kyrgystan, which is a place I have no knowledge about except for some Youtube videos I watched in the past, trying desperately to learn about them (for my FA18 Asian Art class). Too many familiar people though in the panel and in the audience. (I was supposed to arrive early to meet with AAA head but my phone data died, I got lost finding my way to AAA, and end up arriving just a minute after the talk already started).
Met Yang and Kok for lunch then went to Foo Tak to check out Twenty Alpha and ACO (shopping time yay!)
Nov 10, 10PM
Another touristing day. Went back to Edward's studio. Had lunch with Cedric, Yang and Israel.
Yang, Israel and I then went to the Peak (finally saw it!) and Temple Street for an absolute tourista night!
Nov 11, 5PM
Writing this at HKIA while waiting for my trip back to Manila.
As planned I dragged my luggage all the way to Lingnan to do final catch up with colleagues. It's not too much really. There's an MTR line straight from Diamond Hill to Siu Hong Station, which is where I get off for Lingnan.
Had coffee and quick chat with whoever is left of the old crew-- Denise is now the Chair of CUS, Lisa, Sansan and Yvonne, two of the nicest faculty members, and this good man, Roberto, who is the only one from PhD cohort left teaching in LU. Chat with Robert about tenure was so on point (just like my chat with Yang during M+), it was exactly what I needed <3
So far, to date, I have only attended 2 overseas activities-- the one in UAL in summer, and this one. Both have been extra challenging given my physical and psychological condition. I feel extra tired everyday because I am managing to function with a chemical imbalance and missing organs (I also forgot my medicine in Manila, which added to the anxiety), as well as a lingering (functional) depressions. This condition takes extra. But just like in London in summer, I am mighty glad I came. It was a very productive week, and a productive the way I like it-- spent with people who can match my passion/ obsession with things other finds unimportant.