Picture of the Week # 344 "Free" Shanghai, China 2015 Signed & Stamped

Walking through Shanghai's French Concession streets I looked up and saw this sign. I don't think they intended to refer to the obvious. I presume the "CK" stands for Calvin Klein and the "FV" for another fashion provider. I didn't see any Tattoo parlor but then again I will admit that I didn't look that hard as I was on a mission to keep walking and just see if I could add to my "Pictures That Make You Smile" catalogue. This one brought that smile.

Picture of the Week #343 & Bonus "Terra Cotta Warriors Mandala 1, 2, & 3 Signed & Stamped

Needless to say this is a Special Picture of the Week. I thought that taking the images of the "Terra Cotta Warriors" and turning them into Mandalas was the way to present these 2,210 year old sculptures. As getting close up or even to eye level is strictly regulated, all tourists must observe from the platform above that encircles the excavation. Even though I was told you'll only need two hours to take it all in, I spent 4 and a half. Rather than being bothered by a guide I rented a cassette so that I could go at my own pace and take photos. It wasn't until I was back home in L.A. that I came up with the concept of making them into Mandalas. A Mandala represents the Universe, and Emperor Qin who ordered the mausoleum built for his afterlife, is also credited with creating the Great Wall of China. That was power.

Picture of the Week # 342 "Cooling Her Feet" Xi'An, China 2015 Signed & Stamped

After the extraordinary experience of seeing the "Terra Cotta Warriors" which are housed over an hour outside of Xi'An, I figured I should see what else there is for outsiders to see inside the city. The next day I took the harrowing cab ride from the new 5 Star Angsana Hotel, (all taxi's are scary as they text, talk on the phone, don't obey lane markings or speed limits) into town. I was told that the Muslim streets would be ideal for picture taking. Not sure about the safety, or about being a white American, I threw caution to the wind and went off armed with my cameras. Walking through the narrow streets I encountered this woman soaking her feet in fish tanks. Having been a decent world traveler, this was a new occurrence for me. I had never even heard of doing something like this. I snapped my pictures and continued on to find there were more places like this. I walked and took many images, sometimes the people would shyly turn away or hide behind something. But by and large there was no danger or hostility when I raised my camera. Most gladly allowed me to capture their image. It reminded me somewhat of a friendlier version of the souks in Morocco.

Picture of the Week # 341 "The Non Conformist"  Xi'An, China 2015 Signed & Stamped

I can now cross off the Terra Cotta Warriors of Xi'An from my bucket list. I had gone to Shanghai for my first one man show of "MAO to NOW" in China at the ArtN Space gallery. Afterwards, I took a few days off to fly to Xi'An to see these extraordinary works of art that laid buried for over 2,600 years. Emperor Qin who is responsible for building the Great Wall of China had these 8,000 life size soldiers sculpted for his tomb. In 1974 when two peasants were digging for a well they uncovered one of the most spectacular wonders of the world. Slowly, piece by piece they have been restoring these magnificent statues. All had originally been painted and were holding weapons or shields. The statues are housed in a giant stadium like structure where they rebuild these masterpieces. You can see the holes where the missing pieces will eventually go. There are row after row of these soldiers lined up in pits along with their horses. For some reason this one warrior was laying face down on what I presumed to be sacks of terra cotta. I found this image enlightening as to the process of restoration but also as an image that fits with my sensibilities towards pictures that make you smile. And this one certainly did. When I posted it as my Picture of the Week I had some difficulty with the internet at the hotel so I am not sure everyone on my weekly list got to see it. Now that I am home, I will add it to this week's image just to make sure as I think it deserves to be seen.