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Exhibit charts marine traditions
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FOR the past 15 years, Deke Erh has been on the road, or to be exact, on the Silk Road, sometimes on land and sometimes on sea.
It’s a one-man show, an odyssey that has taken in history, culture, relics and people.
Now the Shanghai-based photographer’s “One Man’s Silk Road — Maritime Silk Road Vision Literature Exhibition Preview” unveils the historical materials, pictures, models and objects he collected during his journey.
The exhibition is running through October 23 at the newly renovated Xuhui District Hui Exhibition Hall near Xujiahui.
The venue was formerly The Major Seminary, which dates to the late 1920s and covers an area of 3,000 square meters.
“The district government renovated the old abbey for about two years, trying to retain its former European classical architectural style, and turned it into a new public exhibition space,” Erh says. “I’m happy that my exhibition could be held here, a former region in Shanghai noted for its art schools and museums for absorbing Western art.”
Before his Silk Road project, Erh was famous for documenting Shanghai’s history and tremendous changes. His name is associated with “old Shanghai” scenes like old villas, traditional lanes and Art Deco buildings.
As many people were enthusiastically throwing away old things and embracing new concepts in the 1980s during China’s reform and opening up period, Erh was sensitive to the value of history and artifacts.
Erh’s published photo books include “A Last Look — Western Architecture in Old Shanghai (1990)” and “Old Villas in Shanghai.”
But recording the vicissitudes of one city was not enough to satisfy Erh’s boundless curiosity.
He has been exploring the ancient Silk Road for 15 years, as well as the maritime Silk Road for the past three years.
According to Erh, hitting the ocean presents its own unique challenges.
“Once when I was sailing on a boat to Singapore, there were some problems with the engine, and the mainsail and headsail fell down into the sea. We had to float on the water for seven days and nights. When we finally got to land, I had turned into a white-bearded old man.”
Despite the occasional dangers, Erh’s high-seas adventures have taken him to destinations like Nagasaki, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Macau, Subic and Malacca, where the artist has observed the local people, customs and culture.
“One thing that impressed me most is the Chinese cultural heritage over there, which is reflected in the costumes, architects, food, music and literature,” he says. “It draws me to further exploration.”
Erh attributes this influence to China’s ancient shipbuilding technology.
“China has four great inventions, and the fifth one should be sailboat-building technology,” he says. “During the trade wind season, those wooden boats sailed under the movement of the ocean current, which spread early Chinese civilization and technology along the sailing route.”
Exhibition visitors will find a business calendar of an American shipping company from 1936, which recorded the shipping timetable from Shanghai to Japan, the Philippines and America.
Several pictures and models of ancient sailing boat also remind visitors of ancient China’s glorious seafaring tradition.
A typical example is the “Fortune Boat.” It not only has splendid patterns on the boat tail, but also a smart cabin design.
Erh confesses that he hopes to build a real Fortune Boat during his lifetime.
“The budget would be a daunting figure, and maybe I will realize this dream through a public fundraiser or sponsorship,” he jokes.
The exhibition also showcases several pictures that he captured in the past three years, but according to him, a larger and better organized show is planned for the future.
“This is only a preview of what I was doing, like a warming-up show,” he says with a smile.
“One Man’s Silk Road — Maritime Silk Road Vision Literature Exhibition Preview”
Date: Through October 23, Saturdays-Sundays, 9am-4pm
Address: 40 Nandan Rd
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