No ordinary city for no ordinary people...

I have been trying to think about what it is about Hong Kong that I like so much. The heat and humidity is nearly unbearable, the streets have cockroaches, the people generally rude, fake and obnoxious, people butt ahead in cues, and the mentality of most are oriented to money, self-gain and image. People judge you on your looks and what you wear, where you live and if you're sporting the latest technotronic gadget. To survive here is probably one of the hardest and toughest of cities in the world. It is not forgiving. My cousin had a secret bet that when I moved here from Canada, that I wouldn't make it past one year. As of this year, I have been in Hong Kong for 13 years. I still find this city one of the most energetic and exciting places to live and work as an artist. No, I don't have a harbour view out of my flat and I don't earn the big bucks (that I'd like). I took a major drop in revenue after making the shift from architect to artist-photographer. What's more, I started working as a bar-tender and did Tarot readings on the side-line. Do I have any regrets? and did Hong Kong let me down? The answer of course is no. Hong Kong in fact gave the opportunity to do things I never would have done if I were in any city. So long as you're willing to give it a shot? and do your best, people will give you chance at nearly anything. I tell this to anyone I meet now that has a passion for something. But here is the underlying problem with many people I meet: they don't have a clue as to what they are passionate about. They ponder the street and wonder why they can't find a job. I don't know if it's because of lack of ambition, or no need for money. But it is true, I know some people who do not have any need for money because their taken care for. Perhaps that is the clincher. For me, and here I digress a bit. One of the primary reasons I create what I create and photograph what I do is because I see the VALUE of what I'm doing not just from a creative point of view, but also from a financial point of view. I see my work as also a dollar sign. Without the drive to see it's inherent returns, I don't think I would be doing it. I'd be pursuing other avenues to create things for money. The main difference in what I create however, is that I find personal reward from the creation of the photograph, drawing or painting. And in addition, I fine personal satisfaction when I see that someone who has purchased my work, happiness and elation. I recall my first sale of a graphite drawing when a man came up to me and asked for permission to have my drawing. It was the most strange request. I said, do you mean, buy it? He nodded. It was no ordinary purchase, from no ordinary man, and no ordinary drawing. The drawing was entitled ONE, and remains the most pivotal piece of artwork to date. It was pure unequivocal Spirit. So where, where does this creative energy surface from? True, it does come from within, in my mind, my Spirit, my energy, but it also derives its energy from the surroundings, from the people, from the mountains and waters that flow in the Fragrant Harbour, from Hong Kong. The energy is not quiet, and it demands release and attention. The city can vivify or it can suck it from you, leaving you dry and vacuous.

The Asian Male 2.AM Video...

In case anyone cares to see, this is my attempt at making a video using my imac. I used images from my book to create the video. Here it is: http://www.normyip.com/2AM/2AM%20slideshow-web2.mov

I don't think I'm a mastermind at this, but just something to play with...

hong kong police and the angry brothers...

Most of the time, I find myself meeting very optimistic people in Hong Kong, whether they be locals or foreigners. But today, I bumped into a couple of guys, brothers actually, near my Sheung Wan pad when I went out for some food. We decided to have dinner together and headed to the nearest food market nearby. What puzzled and annoyed me was the dinner conversation. The two of them were complaining about the legal system and about how the police harass everyone, and without right/due cause. Frankly, this was my 4th or 5th time seeing the one brother, and eac time, he was in trouble with the law/police. And it appeared that he was not at fault for anything, but that he contagonized the police. He simple loved to argue against authority. Loud and obnoxioius, the guy was phased by how I was being accepting of the fact that the police could request my ID and question me on my whereabouts. Personally, yes, I have been stopped by the police here on a number of occasions. I admit to being rather perturbed by the entire process and feeling like a criminal when being interrogated on the streets. But I just answer and they let me go. Harmless. But for these two guys at the dinner table, they just went on and on about what is fair and unfair. I give it to them for being so 'just' in their thinking, but it dawned on me that these guys are really just loud and obnoxious individuals that need to listen to themselves talk. Bad energy in a major way. I said to one of them, that it would be better to leave it be, and to move onto doing something constructive and creative, than to harp on something that was rather insignificant. At least in Hong Kong, the streets are safer than most other cities, just because of the police enforcement. I'm not saying they are perfect either, but they do pretty good for a city of 6-7million inhabitants.