【Tradition Explained】The Story of Purple in China【傳統解碼】孔子厭惡的「紫色」寓意高貴？

Which of the many colours best represents Chinese culture? Readers might say, the answer is obvious: Red! Indeed, the ancient Chinese people also appreciated colours other than red: colours such as purple. In this article, our contributor, Christina Han, shared the cultural history of purple in China. “From a much stigmatized colour, to technological wonder, a manifestation of Daoist spirituality, and finally a symbol of imperial authority, the colour purple evolved through China’s long history and eventually became an important part of Chinese visual culture. The story of purple reminds us of the rich diversity within Chinese culture that often gets overshadowed by simplified and exoticized representations of China inspired by popular consumerism and Orientalism. So next time you celebrate the Spring Festival, add a bit of purple in the sea of red and gold, and welcome the purple air coming from the east!”

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseJuly 13, 2021Art, purple, culture, Tradition, tradition explainedComment

Contemporary Artist Yang Yongliang Reimagines Chinese Landscape Art with Virtual Reality 楊泳梁的山水影像實驗

Yang Yongliang, a contemporary artist from China, reimagines traditional Chinese landscape art with digital techniques to create dreamy techno visions of man in nature. His work employs contemporary images of cities and cars, which he alters and adjusts to fit within these classically composed and serene landscapes, maintaining a foggy black-and-white aesthetic. “Journey to the Dark II” is his first multi-channel 4K video.

Qipao: Heart of a Craftsman 東方美‧匠人心‧旗袍韻

The appearance of the qipao is the origin of modern Chinese fashion. Women adorned in high-collared and fitted qipao dresses were seen as embodying “oriental” beauty. A hundred years later, the qipao has weathered the storm of the many historical changes in China and established an irreplaceable position in modern Chinese culture. This charming dress form has become part of mainstream fashion around the world.

Art and FashionRuizhou LiJune 24, 2021qipao, Art, fashion, Hong Kong, hong kong weekComment

A Summer’s End - Cultures Collide in Hong Kong 1986

Cultures collide: where art meets game culture and tells a story that doesn't often get heard in Asian cultures. Just in time for Pride Month, read more on what Jasmine Chen, an Asian Canadian leader in theatre, thought about “A Summer’s End - Hong Kong 1986.” It is a breathtaking emotional narrative captured in a visual novel, created by Asian-Canadian game developers Charissa So and Tida Kietsungden. They are the hearts and minds behind Oracle & Bone, an independent game studio in Vancouver. ⁠
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The story follows Michelle, a buttoned up office worker living in Hong Kong during the heydays of the 1980s. She meets Sam, a free-spirited woman and unconventional entrepreneur, by chance after an incident involving a broken heel. They share a mutual attraction, and the story takes off with emotion and addresses issues of identity not often forged in Chinese culture.⁠

TYLER SHAW《LEAN ON ME》加拿大華裔歌手葉銘恆《依靠我》

Who else is celebrating their first Father’s Day? Canadian singer songwriter Tyler Shaw has been producing music and sharing his thoughts from home throughout the pandemic. He also welcomed his baby daughter into the world, who pops up in his feed regularly! Happy first Father’s Day, Tyler! Last year, we had a chance to spend some time with Tyler (at the lovely Hazelton Hotel Toronto) to learn about his journey of music, his relationship with Chinese heritage, also his ArtistsCan project initiated with fellow Canadian artist, Fefe Dobson.

Art and Fashion, Personal StoriesRuizhou LiJune 17, 2021Tyler Shaw, Music, chinese canadian, fatherComment

The Master of Traditional Handmade Silk Buttons 傳統花釦之工藝大師

In Hong Kong resides a traditional artisan of embroidered button fasteners for cheongsams (qipaos) and other garments. Master Po Ming-Wah is one of the few artisans of this craft still practicing in Hong Kong today, however, this art is becoming extinct. Fête Chinoise had an opportunity to sit down with Master Po and presidents of Cheongsam Connect, Anita Tsang and Donna Cheung in Hong Kong to better understand the history and current challenges of the practice. Each of Master Po’s intricate knots have auspicious names, an intentional meaning, and a corresponding design.

Art and FashionDeborah Lau-YuJune 3, 2021Hong Kong, hong kong week, cheongsam, qipao, silk button, craftmanshipComment

K BODY AND MIND: Subverting Cyberpunk

In K BODY AND MIND, you see two women on stage. They are Asian. Their hair and clothing are identical, but they are not twins. What happens when they open their mouths is probably not what you’d expect. Over the three episodes of K BODY AND MIND, you hear these two women voice a whole cast of characters, dozens of background voices, and a dog. Those two women are myself and actor Donna Soares.

Asian Representation at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards 2021

Canada celebrated its annual most fashionable night in, at the first virtual production of the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards gala on May 19th. Nominees, Honourees, Sponsors, and Guests all tuned in from home, work, or the backyard, to toast some of the nation’s most talented creators in the fashion industry. Several Asian artists and creatives were nominated and in some cases, took home the trophy! Because it’s Asian Heritage Month, it is even more important to highlight some of these individuals and their achievements.

7 most important Chinese porcelains in western collections 中國瓷器的魅力: 西方收藏的賞心七最

Chinese porcelain at large is admired by many of us, and used in home decor and sold by brands around the world. Ting Zhang shares some valuable history behind porcelain and ceramics that will help us appreciate them even more!

Art and FashionGuest UserMay 18, 2021Art, CultureComment

Behind the Mystery of Art for New Collectors

For many people, the art market is mysterious and unfamiliar. At the same time, collecting art is a very attractive hobby, especially when factoring in the concept of investing in art that grows in value over time. The publicity and marketing of auction companies has opened the door to many new collectors, allowing them to get in touch with works of art one step at a time. So how does one begin collecting art and building a collection? What should you pay attention to when you start your personal collection? Let us explore the definition of collection and collections, and share some reference strategies for buying art.

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseApril 14, 2021artComment

A Role Within A Role – Exploring Anna May Wong Through Photography

Anna May Wong was born in Los Angeles in 1905 to second-generation immigrants and has quite an inspirational story. May found herself excluded from Chinese theatre, given her "Americanness" and similarly, Americans found her too Chinese for specific roles. May was no stranger to that universal feeling that many diasporas must confront – being stuck between multiple identities. Yinsey Wang explores her legacy through her primary art medium, self-portraiture photography, to feel connected with the diaspora experience in this unique way.

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseApril 7, 2021Entertainment, film, art, film reviewComment

Florasis: Beauty Steeped in Culture《花西子：懷少年初心，敬百年匠心》

Beauty is often thought of as being only skin deep, but the products we are inspired to use are often steeped in culture and craftsmanship. How are Chinese brands growing and expanding into the global market? In this article (link in bio), learn more about the inspiration, culture and business of Florasis, a relatively new and highly successful cosmetic brand. We will discover how it intersects tradition, culture, art and beauty in a way that has captured the hearts of many discerning consumers and the Chinese community globally.

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseMarch 25, 2021Fashion, beauty, GiftsComment