Shanghai, ChinaFeb 2005 - Dec 2005

Fresh, hot XinJiang ramen was just what I needed. Liana helped me order my first meal. I was always a little paranoid about them ripping me off, even though it was just pennies to me.
 
What follows is a photographic narrative describing 8 months in Shanghai.
It's broken into three sections and is mostly non-sequential.

My room in Liana's apartment. The sun would wake me up in the mornings.

Self portrait. Eating wonton soup at the old W+K office. Wolfie looks on.

Richard's W+K home/office.

Monica(left) helps with a street photography project.

A store solely (no pun intended) devoted to socks.

Don't practice your trumpet while balancing a bike on your head in traffic.

Happy, shiney people.

The hand that feeds. At the home of the "seven brothers".

Scott and Monica, into the sunset.

The "seven brothers" (seven close friends, seven designers/musicians). Halfway around the world, we still laugh over the same dick jokes. Here we are enjoying korean BBQ at a restaurant on their college campus. Liana and I told them their names meant vulgarities in English. Ugly (his actual nickname) Wang = ugly dick. Jack = jack off. Benny = big tits (we made that one up... perhaps so he didn't feel left out).

One must be ready for anything when hanging out with Liana... such as spontaneous dance battles in the middle of a mall. We had a decent crowd going. I laid out some rusty bboy moves, but mostly Li and this guy battled. Some girls asked Liana if they could hire her as a dance instructor afterwards.

See those cars waiting? All taxis.

DJs and VDJs from Japan playing at a pretentious French club called La Fabrique.

Li and Kathia turning heads as usual.

The very next block over is a sprawling mall and expensive eateries.

The water bottles people use are cylindrical jars. They seem to prefer this. Cool, I say.

My favorite subject, always a good sport.

Driving in Shanghai is pure insanity.

Early in the morning, the parks FILL up with people practicing Tai Chi, fan dancing, ballroom dancing, or just plain exercising.

What's easier than diapers? The gutter.

The poor guy was clearly having personal problems. A security officer kept scolding/shooing him for sitting on the chain.

A high schooler points herself out in a class photo. They're mostly cut off, but the "bad kids" are in the bottom right corner. You can tell this because they're slouching, sloppy looking, with looks of contempt.

Wrigley's Spearmint at the Lotus Hypermarket.

Funny, I know. They actually serve really good (and cheap) chinese food. No fried chicken nor cole slaw.

These are like China's equivalent of rotating hot dogs at America's 7elevens.

Xiao long bao. Delicious soup filled dumplings. Ridiculously cheap. With hot chili sause and vinegar... perfection.

The author of perfection. He looks quite serious here, but he's a jolly man that takes pride in his craft.

U-Chin and David enjoying some during their brief stay with me.

Another delectable treat. Xin Jiang bbq, assorted kabobs with tender lamb or chicken with amazing seasoning.

South Beauty, a super trendy sichuan restaurant. They had super potato design this branch. Phillipe Stark is working on the next in Hong Kong I believe.

Hairy crab, a local delicacy. Steamed, dipped in vinegar, a couple beers, good company = heaven.

The proud. A happy employee at the Lotus Hypermarket.

In front of my apartment. It was cold as fuck.

Strange markings on the elevator up to see my friends, Joon and Kathia. Naruto?

Joon Ian, looking rather regal.

Kathia Sya, looking constipated, maybe. If your name is Kathia Sya, and you're not the person in the photo, for the love of God relinquish your gmail account.

A Jen, me, and June sandwich. Hopelessly delicious.

I thought it would be a fun photo. He hands me his card after and says to send him a copy.
It said "Dick Cheney Impersonator".

Shuffling slowly through a crowded mall. Strapped to their backs are LCD screens advertising some video game.

Wushu madness in People's Square.

A chatty fellow.

Liu Feng aka The Hammer. I was helping him film a short piece for W+K at the airport. Curious onlookers abound.

June and what's his name at June's farewell soiree.

Candice. A hottie with impeccable musical taste and plays metroid.