Returning guest David Harrison Horton discusses the arts scene in Beijing, his experience during lockdown, and his recently published book, Maze Poems. The podcast also explores topics such as attending music shows and exploring various art forms, the influence of Chinese arts and theater shows in Beijing, the life of a mysterious figure from China, documenting daily activities and the cultural revolution, the creation process and impact of the book 'Mays Palms', the significance of drawing a maze, textual analysis and travel blogging, activities and achievements of poet Edward Rag, foreigners in the writing community and the connection between language and culture, dedication of Chinese poets, and the challenges of translating humor and making long-term plans in China.
The podcast discusses the impact of the exodus of expats and how it has affected the arts scene in Beijing.
The podcast shares insights into the experiences and challenges faced during the COVID-19 lockdown in Beijing.
The podcast explores the diverse and vibrant arts scene in Beijing, including experiences attending various art performances and their impact on the guest's own creativity.
Deep dives
Exploring the Beijing Arts Scene and Shaping Up in General
The podcast episode discusses the current state of the Beijing arts scene and how it is shaping up. It covers the impact of the exodus of expats from the city, as well as the shift in focus for the guest, David Harrison Horton, who has been busy working from home and publishing a book. The episode highlights the changes in the arts scene, the work done by David Horton, and insights into the Beijing arts community.
Lockdown Experiences and the Challenges Faced
The podcast delves into the experiences and challenges faced during the COVID-19 lockdown in Beijing. It narrates the restrictions and measures imposed, such as limited grocery store access, and the impact on daily life. The conversation also touches upon the distinction between stress and boredom during the lockdown period, as well as the resilience and adaptation required during such times.
The Fascination with Arts and the Interest in Theatre
The podcast explores the fascination with and interest in various forms of arts, including theatre, exhibitions, and music. The guest shares his experiences attending different art performances, such as Chinese operas, classical ensembles, and plays, highlighting the diverse and vibrant arts scene in Beijing. The conversation also touches upon the inspiration and impact that these artistic experiences have on the guest's own creative output.
Publication and Promotion Challenges
Being based in Beijing as a foreigner presents some challenges when it comes to publishing and promoting work. Navigating the restrictions and differences in time zone requires creative solutions. The author mentions the possibility of virtual readings and utilizing social media, although it admits to not being an expert in that area. The goal is to promote the book and sell enough copies to secure funding for future projects. Overall, being in China adds a layer of complexity, but the author is determined to navigate it.
The Exciting Step of Publishing
The episode concludes with the author expressing excitement about their first full-length book. They discuss the potential of organizing book tours if they were in the United States and the possibilities of virtual readings and social media from China. The author's aspirations extend beyond this particular project, recognizing that the work they put into promotion and publication now will serve them in the future. Beijing and China provide unique opportunities and challenges in this regard.
Returning guest David Horton is back for another yikyak as it’s been over a year since he’s been on and a lot has happened… though much has stayed the same.
In this episode we talk about the arts scene in Beijing and how David weathered this year’s lockdown of his compound and surrounding areas. Even more excitingly, we also discuss David’s biggest accomplishment to date: he published a book! Maze Poems is now out on Arteidolia Press and consists of 50-pages of engaging poetry that David wrote over the last four years. The poems are constructed as mazes, much like a search-a-word, and require the reader to literally move the book around to follow along.