The venue has all the trappings of being an art gallery, but it is not. I choose to call it an alluring space. It is an ideal backdrop for her pictures, a celebration of homes, buildings, gates and doors in what has become one of Tianjin's most popular spots among locals and foreigners. The Gabi Oda experience starts as I approach the gallery - some stainless steel sculptures rise from a moderately sized water feature, while on the opposite side, water tranquilly runs down a wall. Upon stepping in, I see some of Gabi's pieces in black and white.
Her black and whites make an immediate impression on me and I cannot help notice that she uses Name to describe her photographs. They are not Titled, nor indeed Untitled. They have names. I love it. These are not simply pictures but pictures of lives, hidden; people had once walked the halls of these buildings or still live there. Secondly, I am overwhelmed by the sense that I am a voyeur - nothing new in that feeling right? However, it is brought home emphatically for me when I see the names of some photographs - Privacy, Entree secrete, Hidden face, Veiled lights. The names suggest a sense of 'not being allowed to' or something hidden, that I am not allowed to see or experience. It reminds me of the struggle that must exist when the photographer peers through the lens while the finger is about to go 'click' - Can I intrude in the world I see there and share it with the world? As an observer, I ask myself a smilar question - this is how Gabi engages my eyes.
My interest is piqued further when I look closer at the piece, Privacy. I allow my creative juices to flow. Burglar bars, leaves, shutters and an additional barrier convey that sense of privacy, but the open window suggests a desire to remain connected. Sunshine, a symbol of hope, is felt in the photograph. I see the subject craving privacy, but he/she wants to remain connected to the world?
Another piece that stands out for me is You shall not pass - It is a very sensuous photograph. As I look at it, I can feel my hands moving over the wood, feeling for the grooves made my time, then the metal fixtures on the door - cold perhaps? Then, I put my ear to the door, wondering who is behind it. At that moment, my thoughts drift to the hands that made the door. What is their story? The imagination.
Now, who is Gabi Oda? Rather than re-invent the wheel, I paraphrase here from the press release: Gabi Oda, born in Romania, is no stranger to a life in the Arts, and is known for her prolific work in photography and film, the latter in front of and behind the camera. she is regarded as one of the most compelling actress of her generation. She is an alumnus of the National University of Theatre and Film Il Caragiale in Bucharest. She subsequently worked as a curator at the Constantin Gavrila Art Museum. In recent years, she has worked on a series of short films in the UK, as both director and actress.
With regards to her artistic philosophy, one of the things I appreciate about Gabi is how accessible she makes her photographs. I wrote in a previous piece how intimidating art can be, leaving many a person like myself saying 'I don't feel I have the words to describe what I see' - Gabi's belief in which she privileges the imaginative spirit in each observer means you take from the experience what you want to take and there are no wrong answers. In talking to her, she foregoes all the technical jargon about the how she took the photographs and focuses my attention on the stories, the human element behind the door and the possible faces behind the facades. It is a refreshing talk!
As I sip on a Chianti, my thoughts shift to the venue. Floor to ceiling windows in the lounge area allow fr considerable natural light to flow into the exhibition space. Vivian Zhang, in her third role as curator (her last efforts can be viewed here: Maple Leaf Exhibition) and Madeline Churchill ), is exploring new and exciting territories with this exhibition. Curating an exhibition of photographs as opposed to paintings no doubt has its own challenges but she has shown in her three exhibitions up to this point that a perfect venue is key. Furthermore, she is showing how total her commitment is to celebrating and sharing the visual with people in Tianjin. In choosing this venue, Vivian is challenging notions that art belongs in galleries. It is indeed very thrilling. I think it is also significant that the venue is about 2.5km from Wudadao, and I found myself walking to that part of Tianjin to feel what moved Gabi. I felt closer to her work in doing this. I do recommend it.
Gabi Oda's exhibition is highly recommend to anyone living in Tianjin and beyond. Her pictures give an insight into Wudadao, and while this area has become very commercialised as a tourist hotspot, there remains so much purity about it. Look beyond the fast food chains and designer coffee shops and go to the places where people live - the houses, apartments, doors and gates, much like she did and here you will feel the heart of this area. Her exhibition allows you to see the now-beautiful marriage of east and west in a city that is renowned in China for the value it has placed on this aspect of its heritage. Go along to her exhibition and allow your imagination to come to the fore while looking at one of her photographs, and look at the next and the next. Photographs tell stories that are universal - behind the walls of her photos a toddler plays with a rattle while mum and dad prepare lunch; a teenager argues with his dad because he wants a bigger allowance; a grandmother finishes knitting that scarf ... what is your story?
Essentials
Gabi Oda's Wudadao Photo Exhibition
Intersection of Weijin and Shuangfeng Road,
Nankai district
Runs throughout November 2021
Nankai, Tianjin
*My images here do not do the works any justice. Make suer you visit the exhibition to see them as they are intended
Brandon Stoltenkamp
I am restaurant, champagne and hotel blogger living in Tianjin.
I: bmstoltenkamp
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