Studying from a distance…in China
My students always find it strange, but amusing that their EFL teacher also studies, and have to ‘take tests’. Of course, for the teenagers, it is always impossible to understand that their teacher ‘wants to study’. Living, working and studying in China of course has it’s ups and downs, and as I was brainstorming what points to touch on for this article I once again realised how fortunate, even with all the drawbacks, I am to be able to work on my studies over here.
In late October, a rather hastily arranged unofficial OCA student meet-up was arranged after I ran into Susanne’s ‘Hello from China’ forum post on the student site. We are in total four students (whom I’m aware of) in the two Eastern Chinese cities of Suzhou and Shanghai, 30 minutes apart by bullet train. I was in serious need to see some new and decent art, and desperately wanted to see a new exhibition by the Chinese photographer Luo Yongjin, hosted at OFOTO Gallery, a long term project where the artist photographed other artists’ studios and work spaces.
On the morning of October 25th, Susanne brought a friend, and the three of us started our first Unofficial OCA student meet-up over coffee at the book shop in the art village of M50 (50 Moganshan Road). It was such a thrill to meet someone else who was also excited at meeting a fellow student, so far away from everything and being in the same situation. Of course we gossiped about the regulars on the Flickr group and the tutors, as well as discussions about blogs and logbooks, assignments and assessments. We also discussed the idea of studying over here.
For me, the biggest problem is research and inspiration sources. It’s not possible to simply walk into a book store, and browse for something to read or search for a photographer you want to study up on. We have Taobao, pretty much same as e-bay, but more often than not, if you do manage to get what you are looking for online, the books are illegal copies, or extremely expensive imports. The other problem is the internet. Although it is cheap and uncapped, without a good VPN (virtual private network), it’s pretty difficult to get everything you’re looking for, since nearly all social networking, as well as all streaming sites are controlled, as are search engines. To me, Flickr and the OCA student site are absolutely crucial in staying in touch with the student community, and feeling part of a group. Language and culture barriers are also a huge problem, and it is not as easy as people may think to really make good like-minded photography or artist friends if you don’t speak the language very well. On the other hand, being in a totally different world, probably gives us the advantage of a fresh approach to everything we do, see and experience. We also kind of have a free pass as ‘tourists’, which although you still need to be careful how you use it, common sense works fine, I think freedom to photograph is still pretty much more open than in the West.
Oh, a quick note again about the exhibit we went to… Interestingly, but not surprisingly, all three of us had different opinions on the work on display, and each of us had a different favourite. The works came across as quite intimate on different levels, and interesting what a photographer would pick up in what I would believe as quite a private space of another artist.
My favourite work was a piece which at first glance seemed like the frame itself was wrapped up in plastic, but even at closer inspection, the wrapped object still not clear. The wonderful detail of the large print, with a touch of grain in the high contrast, but beautiful tones of the black and white image, carried an amazing three dimensional quality which pulled me, and made me feel even more privileged to be allowed to share a personal space captured. OFOTO encourages photographing of art on exhibit, and is always worth a visit, for new exhibits and the collection of previous works on permanent display.
On November 22nd, Susanne and I met up again, this time in Suzhou, which was once again a really interesting exercise. We each had a list of projects we wanted to work on. Sadly the other two students couldn’t join, but we again started a catch-up over coffee, in old Pingjiang area of the city, and through the day made our ways, walking together, but with a perfect understanding of two photographers, each on their own mission, something that in hindsight made me smile, as it felt almost like a dance. We visited not only the older part, but also Shuangta (twin) Pagodas, Surging Waves Pavilion (A UNESCO classical garden), and the Confucius temple. Maybe a bit too touristy, but very productive none the less.
All in a day’s studies in China.
[Dewald Botha is a student on the second level of the OCA’s Photography Degree Programme who will be familiar to many students from his active participation in the student forums. He was interviewed by Michael Freeman last April. You can read his personal take on the first OCA China student meet up on his blog here]
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Hey Dewald! Good to see some pictures from your outings!
Hi Dewald, good article, sums up much of what I experience studying outside the UK, although Germany is a lot closer to the UK in both distance and culture. Plus, Amazon.co.uk delivers! However, it is hard to meet other students and more than 1 study visit a year is going to be challenging.
I relate to the comment about tourists getting a little more license to shoot, I have also noticed this, but it only comes to play when they hear my terrible attempts at speaking German.
Finally I very much agree with your point about the OCA site and Flickr. They are the first places I go to when I switch my computer on and the last before I finish for the day. The conversations and critiques provide a dialog that, whilst not a substitute for regular meetings with other students, provide the human element so much needed in what otherwise would be a very lonely pursuit.
I am very glad you have found people to meet up with from time to time Dewald. Studying for a degree remotely has many challenges – and in China you are more remote than most of us. Being able to meet up with fellow students and tutors occasionally is hugely helpful on all sorts of levels and I hope that you manage to have regular meetings going forwards.
Of course, as well as exploring some of the difficulties of working remotely your post also shows what study with OCA makes possible. Without OCA most of us students simply wouldn’t be able to prgress our work to degree level and I for one am very grateful for the opportunity.
Hi Dewald,
Great to meet you here as well as on the Flickr and OCA forums (plus your blog of course).
Your enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to photography are very inspiring to me. This article gives me a strong impression of your photographic journeys in the Cities and how you view them through a different perspective. I was fortunate enough to visit China several years ago, as a tourist and so your images always remind me of what it was like to be a stranger in a strange land (apologies to Robert Heinlein, I think!). If only I’d been a keen photographer then rather than a ‘snapper’!
I can only imagine what it must be like for you to be able to meet up with other OCA students and so feel less isolated. Best Wishes to you Susanne and the others, and I do hope you do more of these articles – ‘Letters from Suzhou’.
‘Letters from Suzhou’ – sounds good to me!
Thanks Dewald for your insight.
Censored internet content must be a hassle along with the isolation.
As you say, one can play the dumb tourist when photographing. I particularly admire such temple buildings. When in Lhasa, I had to pay quite a lot of money to photograph in some of the historic buildings using a tripod; nowadays, no photographs are allowed at all.
Sometimes, snapshots of such buildings with tourists in can work I find. (cf M.Parr etc)
Cheers
Amano
Hi everyone, great to hear some more points on what you guys think…
Eileen mentions one point which really sometimes come mind, and that is the opportunity to study in this flexible way, on photography (and art of course), ‘far away’. There might be other alternatives, but none which would really be this ‘kind’ to personal circumstances, yet allow for online interaction amongst the group.
Catherine, not so sure about the letters… but will see 🙂
Amano, even though sometimes being a plus, being a constant tourist really gets to me, and I often wish I can disappear in the crowds. I personally am quite against paying to photograph something, unless I know it goes for the upkeep or restoration of such places… but never when it would be a case of ‘get money from the westerner’ just for the privilege.
There is also a certain amount of personal pride involved I guess, in not wanting to look constantly clueless and ignorant to local customs and sites.
There is something I didn’t add in the article, and now I wish I had, and that is a shout out to a few co-students, and OCA HQ staff, who have been so great in helping to get hold of some video or printed material when I couldn’t get hold of something… No names mentioned, because I am sure you know who you are… this in itself makes one feel so much more part of a group, rather than what could be an impersonal study experience, and I wonder if this isn’t what makes it so different…
An article that connects with me in so many ways, my feeling of being alone here in Oman, studying with the OCA and having reinstated onto The art of photography. I completely understand the frustrations of only being able to depend on the internet, which here in Oman is heavily regulated by the powers to be. We have the occasional use of a VPN, which on most days is not working well and is again occasionally blocked by Omantel or the signal is so weak due to the over subscription of users on the internet. On a weekend it is not possible to use the internet or at certain times of day due to heavy usage by others. To purchase books it is necessary to travel across the border into Dubai, there are no substantial bookshops in Muscat, which can be depend on. Thankfully I have recently made contact with the Librarian here in Sohar University which I hope will enable me to study various forms of art, and I have made a connection with the British Council in Muscat, but that is another two hour journey.
For inspiration I have linked up with Oman society of fine arts who have the most wonderful photography exhibitions, I am invited to the openings and exhibitions, they are inspirational for my course. There are the obvious links to facebook groups and have been closely watching Muscat amateur photographers.
There are so many plus sides to living in Oman, the photography opportunities are wonderful, the cultural side, architectural, city and rural landscapes, historical aspects and family life abound they all are waiting to be captured in an image. Just wish there were a small group to join here where we could share ideas and inspirations, motivate each other to push the boundaries. Until that happens I will progress onward as one.
Hi Dewald
I wonder if you have Kindle in China or an equivalent; I am presently waiting for Kindle Fire as this will make art books more accessible.
When I photographed at the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace in Lhasa, I had to pay an entrance fee and extra for photographing with a tripod. I do not know exactly where the money went but I reckon that tourism is helping to keep these places preserved. Others might say that it is another example of the Tibetans being exploited but that could be a politicised view.
Being a tourist can result in a superficial view of the world yet if does get to know people on their own level then a more interesting kind of photography may result.
Hi again Amano
You make a valid point on the view of the world, and you’re right, with some mistakes and embarressements and luck, it is possible to get into the deeper world of a culture…
Thanks for the note, yes, I recently got a Kindle for exactly that purpose… ends up that Amazon is also a tricky one, Kindle books are basically not listed on the Chinese site, and you can’t ‘really’ use the UK site, since the payment method determines whether you are allowed to use the .co.uk site or not.
Rob (hope he dooesn’t mind the mention) helped me to work around this problem, and strangely enough, just this morning I was wondering if I shouldn’t start a forum topic on the Flickr group about good books read on Art, for Kindle… see you over there?
Dewald
Hi Dewald,
This is an article that strikes a chord with me, too.
Although I don’t have the same restrictions regarding internet that you have in China, it’s still harder to get material that I need than it would be were I living in the UK. There are no English Language bookstores near here, so I have to mainly rely on my kindle, which is a bit limiting sometimes.
I’m lucky enough to have been in Japan 12 years now, and my level of Japanese is enough to have good, detailed conversations with people,(reading books in Japanese is a different matter!).
HAving said that, for my OCA studies, flickr and the OCA website are essential to help me feel part of it all and for research.
If you’re lucky enough to have other students near you, that’s great! I don’t think there is anyone else in Japan.
Maybe one day I’ll get over to China for a meet, but with two young children in tow I don’t know how much photography I’ll get done!
Barry
Hi Dewald et al,
Distance learning has its drawbacks wherever you are due to the lack of student interaction. I think back to my student days in the 70’s and the many in class and late night discussions we had about all sorts of things. Now, I agree that the OCA site and Flickr are a lifeline and I enjoy the interaction and discussions.
Now, back in South Africa after some 9 years in the far East (Brunei & Russia) I miss the photo opportunities and need to try harder here to visualize photo opportunities.
As with others away from the UK I find study materials hard to come by here, but even more difficult is any form of exhibition to visit.
Thanks for the ‘letter’ and interesting photographs you post.
R
Doug