Succour for the Spirit – Issue 15
Sunday reading with artist & designer Ni Ni
Talking about 姥姥, film photography, the late great Bill Cunningham, listening to Pink Martini, making ‘photobooks’ in the age of COVID-19, and more.
#SuccourfortheSpirit #SilentDialogueEvents
“‘I’m really doing this for myself. I’m stealing people’s shadows, so I don’t feel as guilty when I don’t sell them.’ ”
In Conversation
with Ni Ni (N) & correspondences’ Emma Thomson (ET).
Nature, food or art?
Art
Why were you drawn to becoming a visual artist?
N—When I was little, I spent a lot of time with my grandma (姥姥). She had many photo albums that we would always go through together; each one was a storybook. I loved the idea of capturing the light and moment; then you can print it out on paper and save the moment forever. When 姥姥 told me the stories behind each photo, I felt like I could see what happened in my head.
My dad also loves taking photos. Thanks to him, I grew up with all kinds of cameras; from small to big, old to new, manual to auto. He is the one who got me into this passion. I received my first camera from dad when I was 8, and I inherited my first film camera from him when I was 16. I immediately liked the sense of the unknown and expectation when you shoot on film; it feels more real and honest to me. I have been shooting on film ever since.
她的故事很长，要追溯到战争前的时光。
她的故事很短，从头到尾都是爱的信仰。
她说从前生活很苦，现在很甜让人知足。
她说我在遥远他乡，累了要回头找她倾诉。
她说五峰山里的桃子很甜，竹筐里是童年。
她说那座小城变化忒大，于我而言那座城的一切都是她。
那座小城，永远都是爱的象征；
那座小城，一直都是家的代表；
那座小城，承载了太多的回忆。
姥姥，你爱的那些花都盛开着，大家都替你照看着。
但我们只能梦里相见了。
—Ni Ni, Untitled
ET—Thinking about 姥姥 / Grandma
What is your favourite art form?
N—I don't have a favourite art-form. I feel it is always better to experience different forms together, which I suppose is why I work across disciplines. I admire the work of the late great American photographer Bill Cunningham (1929-2016). Cunningham was a fashion photographer for the New York Times and broke new ground by taking candid photographs of fashion in the streets; which transformed the way fashion was reported and consumed. Over his long career, he "不忘初心", i.e. he never forgot his original intentions, and I admire that.
In my photographic practice, I am drawn to film photography more so than digital. When you open a new roll of film and put it into the camera, the journey starts. Each decision you make affects the outcome at the end. Each time you take a shot, there is no chance for you to look back, you will have to wait. The process of developing films introduces another complexity or layer of the unknown. When you hold the outcome in hand, it takes you back to the moment, so vividly.
Do you think art is therapeutic?
N—Yes. It is a way to escape from day to day life, to enter into your own world. It is where you can turn passion into artwork.
ET—Ni Ni, speaking about his photographs - many of which he wasn’t paid for - Cunningham once said: ‘I'm really doing this for myself. I'm stealing people's shadows, so I don't feel as guilty when I don't sell them.’ As someone who often photographs people and everyday scenes, can you relate to this idea of ‘stealing people’s shadows’?
N—I can relate to this idea because the photos that I create are about capturing the moment of light; transferring what the world offers into photos through the way I see it and this can be fleeting.
What are you listening to?
N—My all-time favourite band is Pink Martini; which was formed in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in Portland, Oregon. Group members call it a little orchestra that crosses several styles, such as classical, traditional pop, latin and jazz. This is the ‘go to’ band for me. Sympathique is one of my favorites. It is fun to listen to, and after I knew the meaning of the lyrics, I liked the song even more!
ET—Listen to more music by Pink Martini and other artists as selected by our ‘Silent Dialoguers’ on Soundcloud.
听中文诗 — Press ‘Listen in browser.’
Tell us about one of your creations
这个跷跷板，在默默的偏向左边。有时都能看到左边压下去后的画面。但是却也知道右边拴着的是全部。
—Ni Ni, Untitled
N— I am working on the design and publication of a book of film photography which incorporates poetry. It features photographs of ten friends that I took photos of during 2018-2019. It includes portraits, but also still-life and landscape shots. Alongside the photographs are a series of interviews. I spent a day interviewing each friend. It was such a great way to get to know friends a lot better; talking about things that you might not talk about normally.
ET—What drew you to poetry? Do you write your poems in English or Chinese first? How do you see the poetry connecting with your photographs?
N—I have to say, music is what drew me to poetry. When I was around 14, this Chinese pop singer (Jay Chou) had a strong influence on me. So I started to read poetry and found its unique beauty. I write my poems in Chinese. During my University studies, I experimented with writing in English. However, I found it challenging to express the depth of meaning that I wanted to convey. So, I continue to write in my mother tongue.
When I do my photoshoot, I always carry a notebook with me to write down aspects of the atmosphere; the weather, smell, colour tone, my feelings, music, etc. My poetry tends to evolve out of these notes.
时光与友，
我捕捉下此时此刻，
在胶片上留存下那时那刻的回忆。
愿与你，
忆往昔。
—Ni Ni, Untitled
ET—Thinking about 时光与友 / time with friends.
What was the starting point?
N— I wanted to bring my writing, film photography and design together, to create a publication that would bring my creative practice together in one document. I suppose the project first began in 2017 when I had accumulated a lot of film photographs and I wanted to archive them in a meaningful way. I also wanted to add a textual narrative. So the first collection idea is on friends and people that I know in my life, as well as selected shots of places and objects.
ET—Ni Ni, you arrived in Australia in 2010 as a young person from China. How do you think this life experience of place has shaped your creative outlook?
N—Coming to Australia to finish my high school was a life-changing decision. During the years, I’ve learnt and experienced so much. Melbourne is a place of enormous cultural and creative diversity. I feel fortunate to be able to learn from so many different cultures, in a way that shapes my creative and world outlook.
What were you striving to explore?
N— To me, the book is something that I can look back on. In the age of COVID-19 when there have been socialising restrictions, it is also a good time for me to reflect on my practice and spend time with friends through the design and production process.
What are you working on now?
N—At the moment, my focus is on my book; I hope to release it by the end of this year. I have also started to conceptualise a new book which will be about women in art. I want to focus on one gender in one industry, to tell the behind the scene stories. When social distancing restrictions are eased, I am also looking forward to reconnecting with Echo Cai and Shen Zhimin for Silent Dialogue.
What else can supporters do?
Pre-purchase our book for Silent Dialogue. Featuring ten other original pieces of writing by some of the country's finest writers alongside beautiful imagery from our participating visual artists, it is going to be special. Purchase before 30/11 and you will be invited to join us for the exhibition launch next year.
Follow Ni Ni via i: @li_ni_v. You can also follow her on WeChat by reaching out @lini0728. Ni Ni’s website can be accessed here.
Share our news via email & social media via i: @silent_dialogue & f: @silentdialogueevents.
Biography
Contributing artist NiNi Li is a film photographer, graphic designer, stylist and brand manager with more than six years of experience. Arriving in Australia in 2010 as a young person from China in pursuit of a career in the creative sector, her life experience has shaped her creative outlook, which is a cross-pollination of Chinese and Western inspiration much focused on people and the everyday. An alumna of Monash University, today NiNi leads a busy life in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, juggling freelance art and design projects with her ceramics and photography practice.
Image credits: All photographs including the banner image are courtesy and © Ni Ni
