Jimmy Wang of the New York Times reports on the Bookworm (Shuchong) in Beijing’s Sanlitun district. Can this possibly count as “trend-spotting”? I think that if and when an oxygen bar opens in Beijing, then we’re talking news.
In the meantime, Danwei has been thundering up lately, posting all manner of adventuresome (even verging on intellectually bellicose!) essays. One likens fashion marketing to Cultural Revolution Red Guard propaganda (which is put to shame when juxtaposed to the lyrical analysis of Viven Wagner in Heidelberg of some real-deal Red Guard song literature).
Some Chinese analysis of the new film John Rabe; one important aspect of the propaganda surrounding this film is the self-reflection it caused in Germany, where much ink was spilled (again) about the man, particularly in Der Spiegel. (I have more readings from and translations of this German lit. that I aim to YouTube and post here forthwith, if in fact it is useful.)
Finally, on the Shanghai 2010 Expo. My fellow Minnesotan over at Shanghaiscrap posts a comprehensive list of why an American pavilion, which was to have been co-axial with the PRC and furnish much ogling at our national goods, may not come to pass next year. It is a real scandal!
My PLU colleague Sidney Rittenberg is involved in the negotiations, and even ever-optimistic Sidney notes that the American exposition may just fall through. Although Obama finally nominated an ambassador to China (beyond the 100-day barrier, no less), things like the Expo where we have the capability to leave egg on both Chinese faces and our own would seem to be of some importance.
Adam Cathcart 