Royal Asiatic Society Shanghai – A Critical View of the History of Chinese Photography – 11/9/16

A Critical View of the History of Chinese Photography

Speaker: Jean Loh

September 8th through 11th marks the 3rd edition of Photo Shanghai, a global art fair dedicated to photographic works of art. To expand our knowledge of photography as an art form that took hold in China, RAS is pleased to invite Jean Loh as our special Art Focus speaker in September.

Contemporaneous with the invention of photography came the outbreak of the First Opium War, along with foreign concessions and settlements in Canton and Shanghai. The 19th Century saw the arrival of photography in China. In the early 20th Century Chinese photography was essentially viewed through the eyes of Westerners: missionaries, archeologists, botanists, and diplomats. Chinese photography proper started in the 1920s – 1930s, during the Republic (Min Guo) period but few documents remain. From the 1950s onward photography’s purpose was to serve the people. Documentary photography only resumed with the launch of Deng Xiaoping’s Reform and Opening. This talk is a subjective retracing of the evolution of documentary photography in China over three decades, from the 1980s and the 1990s, to the early 2000s and today, with selected examples and a questioning of the meaning of documentary in a context of generalised commercial pursuit.

Jean Loh is a graduate of Paris Sciences-Po, with a master degree in the History of Ideas from Sorbonne Pairs-IV. He is the curator and art director of Beaugeste Photo Gallery in Shanghai.

The Golden Dragon, Hotel des Wagon-Lits, Peking

I’m generally pretty good on the old curio and antique shops of Shanghai, but distinctly less so regarding Peking (outside of The Camel Bell and Henri Vetch’s places). As with Shanghai curio shops appeared in the lobbies and adjacent to leading hotels where foreigners stayed – The Camel Bell and Vetch’s French Bookshop were in the lobby of the Peking Hotel. Here’s an advert for The Golden Dragon, which was in the Hotel des Wagon-Lits (which I’ve posted about before – just stick “Wagon-Lits” in the search engine and you’ll get some pictures and luggage labels etc).

So I’m rather bereft on facts – The Golden Dragon was one of a number of retail outlets in the hotel, including American Express. This ad is from the mid-1930s – and I’ve not got anything else I’m afraid…though if anyone does of course I’d love to hear?

The Short-Lived Banque Industrielle de Chine

Wikipedia has it that the Shanghai and Paris-based Banque Industrielle de Chine was chartered in 1913 and was closed in 1922. However, this advert is from 1925 and they appear to be still in business. This ad also indicates that the bank had an Antwerp branch. Apparently the collapse of the bank, after Chinese borrowers refused to repay in the early 1920s, was a scandal as the establishment of the bank had been a joint project of the French and Chinese governments (according to Xu Guoqi in Strangers on the Western Front the bank was established to handle the finances of the Chinese laborers’ recruited by France to work during the First World War). Others mutter of dark forces on the French right destroying the bank, and allied to the competitor Banque de L’Indochine, bent on undermining the Banque Industrielle. It seems a political face saving fix was eventually found and the bank did not go bankrupt but was closed and funds were injected into other banks.

An ad for the bank from 1925

A beautifully ornate Banque Industrielle de Chine bond issuance certificate from 1913

Margaret Livingston in The Streets of Shanghai, 1927

In 1927 the beautiful Margaret Livingston was a major film star and The Streets of Shanghai was a much anticipated movie event. Silent stars of the time (now really quite forgotten) were the main stars though a youngish Jason Robards Sr. appeared in the film as did a young Anna May Wong and Toshia Mori, a Japanese actress who had a Hollywood career. Sadly you can’t see the film as it is now officially considered “lost” and it is thought no copy exists anywhere (which is very sad). However, a few stills from lobby cards exist (see below).

one of the few remaining stills featuring the movie’s stars Kenneth Harlan and Pauline Starke

Margaret Livingston

Some more Margaret Livingston

Toshia Mori

Klim – I only just got it!

I must have seen a hundred adverts for Klim brand milk in old Shanghai – the leading brand of powdered milk brought in from the States. But I only just realised Klim is milk backwards!! What a genius!

By the way Getz Brothers, based in California, expanded into Shanghai in the 1880s (and Hong Kong) and did very nicely with their offices at 22 Nanking Road.

Luebbert’s Phamarcy – A story that’s so much more than Just an old Shanghai ad – The Travails of a Shanghailander Family

Sometimes an advert from old Shanghai leads you to a tale of old Shanghai life that is both fantastic, inspiring, dramatic and tragic. This advert, from 1930, for Luebbert’s Pharmacy is one such…

In 1920 33-year-old Edward G. Luebbert of New York State turns up in Shanghai. He’s graduated from the Union College of Pharmacy in Albany, NY; he’s a Great War veteran who saw service in Europe. He’s come to Shanghai to work for the American Drug Company. Things work out for Ed – around 1925 he starts his own business, Luebbert’s American Pharmacy with a prestige location on Nanking Road at the Junction of Kiangse Road (Nanjing and Jiangxi today). It moves locations a few times, but is always prominent. The business does well; everyone recognises the Luebbert’s liveried trucks delivering medicines around town. Ed marries a White Russian girl in Shanghai called Mania. It’s a good marriage; they have three kids – two girls and a boy.

Early in 1937 Ed had to return to the USA for an operation. He was worried about the worsening political situation with Japan and the possibility of war in Shanghai so he sent Mania and the children to Manila. War did break out in July 1937 and Luebbert’s store was destroyed in the bombing. Ed couldn’t get Mania to the US as the immigration quotas for stateless Russians were full up. She, with the children, had to stay in Manila.

On May 6th 1942 the Japanese occupied Manila and Mania and her children were trapped in the occupied city. They managed to survive, along with other Russian refugees considered non-combatants and neutrals, in the city. However, when the liberation of Manila came in 1945 they were caught between the fighting American and Japanese armies. The Russian sector of Manila was No Mans Land, much of the city was firebombed. Mania was fatally wounded by shrapnel from an American bomb and her two daughters badly burnt in the fires that raged. The children were taken to an American Army Field Hospital for treatment and then transferred to San Tomas internment camp to await transfer to the USA. They were eventually reunited with their father in Newark where he was living.

Ed Luebbert’s son, Edward H. eventually joined the Marine Corps (below) when he was 17 and fought in Korea. Edward G Luebbert worked as a pharmacist in Newark, he did eventually remarry, and died in 1960, aged 62.

Royal Asiatic Society Beijing/Beijing Bookworm – The Rice Theory of Chinese Culture, Thomas Talhelm – 6/9/16

The Rice Theory of Chinese Culture

Why do northern Chinese behave differently from those in the South?

You’re invited to a fascinating talk on China’s two psychological cultures by Thomas Talhelm, who found large differences between people in northern and southern China—and that these differences were correlated with the amount of rice historically grown in different provinces. In a recent study, published on the cover of Science, psychologist Talhelm argues that rice farming’s intensive labor requirements and irrigation networks encouraged labor exchanges and tight, reciprocal relationships. In contrast, wheat’s lower labor and water requirements lead to the north’s more independent and free-wheeling culture. For more insights into Talhelm’s research see the Economist, National Geographic, and NPR. Talhelm will also explain why Beijingers are likely to push chairs around more when they visit Starbucks.

WHAT: “The Rice Theory of Culture in China”, a talk by Thomas Talhelm
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 8:00 – 9:30 PM
WHERE:  The Bookworm, Courtyard 4 Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang
COST: RMB 65 for members of RASBJ or Bookworm, RMB 75 for non-members
RSVP: email events@rasbj.org and put “Rice Theory” in the header
YOOPAY LINK: https://yoopay.cn/event/80703525

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Thomas is a 2012-2013 Fulbright scholar to China and assistant professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago. He researches cross-cultural differences and north-south cultural differences in China. He has lived in China (both north and south) for four years doing research, as a Princeton in Asia fellow, and as a freelance journalist. He is also founder of Smart Air, which promotes low-cost DIY air filters as an alternative to the high-priced air purifier market.

G20 in Hangzhou – What did Carl Crow Think of Hangchow?

The G20 are in Hangzhou, the Chi-Comms have not gone nuts as ever – rooftop snipers, no backpackers, fines for spitting, residents told to vamoose, rapid tart ups of streets and buildings occurred. Worth remembering perhaps what Carl Crow thought of Hangchow (Hangzhou, if you must) from his 1921 edition of the Travelers’ Handbook for China (available here in a great e-book edition with an intro my yours truly)…..

“This city with a population of 750,000 is located on the Shanghai–Hangchow–Ningpo Railway and also on the Ch’ien T’ang River, no miles southwest of Shanghai. The towing charge for a houseboat from Shanghai to the Hangchow Settlement is from $10 to $15. From the Settlement it is necessary to go by train to the city station and thence to a hotel. Several Chinese hotels serve foreign style meals but the New Hotel on the West Lake is especially recommended.

Among the renowned cities of China, Hangchow, the capital of Chekiang Province, holds a most important place. Few other cities have played such an important part in the dramatic history of the country and few others are as picturesque, though most of its ancient glories have disappeared and the city is only a fraction of the size it was in its prime. In point of historical interest Hangchow is second only to Peking, while for the beauty of its surroundings it is even now second to no other city in China.

Marco Polo came to Hangchow, following the Mongol invasion, and his description of the city shows that much of its ancient grandeur had remained and some of it had been restored. Even then, in art, literature and commerce it was the Queen City of the Orient. It was the center of Oriental fashions and gaiety. Hither came merchants, travelers, missionaries and adventurers to view the place and enjoy material delights. The account that Marco Polo gives reads almost like the stories of ancient Rome in regard to the sensual indulgences of the people.

In A.D. 1860 and again in 1862 the T’ai P’ing or Long Haired Rebels came to Hangchow and in a few months reduced nine-tenths of the city to ashes and, utter ruin. It is stated that four fifths of the inhabitants were massacred, or committed suicide, while the remainder were driven from the city. The canals were-so full of the bodies of those who had committed suicide that those later wishing to end their existence could not find sufficient water in which to drown themselves. Even the West Lake was so filled with dead bodies that one could walk out on it for a distance of a half li on them.

Since the establishment of the Republic Hangchow has made notable civic progress. The Tartar City section is one of the finest of its kind in all China. Not even in Shanghai are to be found such broad fine streets. With the building of the railway Hangchow has again become the objective of thousands of travelers and it would seem as if the new hotels could not be built fast enough to accommodate all who come. The city abounds in pleasant little gardens and parks and altogether has the air of the pleasure resort that it is.

A variety of industries are carried on in Hangchow. Among the ancient industries which have survived is the manufacture of “joss paper,” made from paper and tin foil. Even this industry has become modernized for in Hangchow they make imitations of Mexican dollars rather than the former clumsy representations of the silver sycee.

The most famous fan shop as well as the most famous, drug shop in China are to be found in this city. One wall of the fan shop is covered with certificates of awards received at foreign expositions. The drug shop is uncontaminated by modern ideas and dispenses nothing but remedies approved by the Chinese pharmacopeia. Attached to the establishment is a large number of deer cages where deer are kept. Any deer that are presented for sale are bought at once, so as to encourage the hunters. The cost per deer is from two to four hundred dollars. The shop claims that everything is used but the horns, a statement that may be skilful camouflage rather than the exact truth.

The Needle Pagoda or “Prince Shu’s Protecting Pagoda” with the other two famous pagodas of Hangchow mentioned below date back to the great building period of the Wu-Yueh Kings, approximately 950 years ago.

On the opposite or southern side of the Lake is the Thunder Peak Pagoda, also called the White Snake Pagoda. This pagoda was built by a concubine of one of the Wu-Yueh Kings, also about 950 years ago. It was originally planned to be seven stories high but for geomantic reasons it was reduced to five. Many of the pagodas in China are built in order to affect the fêng shui in other words to control weather conditions. They are often built over the bones of some Buddhist priest who was regarded as a saint. Very often there are attached to them a monastery or temple and the pagoda itself often contains many Buddhist images which are worshipped by the pilgrims who come from the countryside.

The Six Harmonies Pagoda is located on the Ch’ien T’ang River about a mile and a half from the terminal station Zahkou. It is one of the largest Pagodas in all China.

The principal points of interest on the West lake are the Imperial Island, called Ku-Shan (Solitary Hill) by the Chinese, also the lake dykes or causeways. About A.D. 1130 and later the lake and Imperial Island were made famous by the residence of the Southern Sung Emperors. In addition to visiting the various memorial halls on the island one ought to visit the public park, originally the site of one of the palaces of Emperor Ch’ien Lung. From the upper part of the park one can get a fine view of the lake.

If one has the time it is worth while to visit the Moham­medan Mosque built in the T’ang Dynasty about A.D. 630. This Mosque is one of the ancient landmarks of Hangchow. If possible it would also repay the tourist to visit the City Hill and from there get a view of the city, the bay and the Ch’ien T’ang River, also the lake and the surrounding hills. It is a view of picturesque beauty uncommon in China.”