Gothenburg, Sweden

Images of the Norse Gods

Here is Odin, recognizable from his one eye.  His right eye was given to Mimer for the right to drink from the Font of Knowledge.  His horse Sleipnir has eight legs.

This rather surprised-looking god is, of course, Thor.  He is in charge of the weather, the planets, and the growth of plants.  His hammer is called Mjölnir.  It always hits its target.

Freyr, the fertility god.  Twin brother to Freyia, with whom he was married for a time.  He is seen holding his ship, Skidbladnir, which can hold all the gods.  When not in use it fits neatly into Freyr's pocket.

Freyia, sister to Freyr, is goddess of sexuality.  She is fierce in battle.  She is charged with bringing home slain warriors after battles.  She roams the world in the form of a bird.

The City

Old map of Gothenburg (Göteborg).  It was laid out like a Dutch walled, fortified city, in star shape, along the River Göta.  Many of the original inhabitants were Dutch--it was known as a Dutch city.  There were Germans, Scottish, English, and others.

Gothenburg was founded in 1621 by real decree from King Gustavus Adolphus.  The city was set up for international trade.  It was the headquarters for the Swedish East Indian Company.  The city museum is housed in the former head office of the SEIC, on a canal where the ships were loaded and unloaded.

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden.  The population of the metro area is around one million.  It is well-known for its International Film Festival (every January) and Gothenburg University and Chalmers University of Technology.  Chalmers was founded William Chalmers in 1829.  Chalmers, a Scot, was a director of the SEIC.

Gothenburg remains Sweden's main port.

Moganshan Art District, Shanghai

Moganshan is Shanghai's answer to Beijing's 798 art district.  A great idea, with plenty of galleries jostling for sales.  Quite commercial.  798 is now also.

 Designated a Tripple-A Tourist site.

 This building #1, above, said to have been built originally in 1938.

 Scene above from the video The Night Man Commeth by Yang Fudong, 2011.

 Installation above by Geng Jiangyi, The Content Is Disturbed by its Shadow, 2011.  The viewer looks through a pinhole at the set piece, a domestic living room scene covered by aluminum foil.

 From M50 Gallery.

 Wu Shanzhuan, Butterfrog, drawing.

 This indoor hallway (above) is packed with galleries and stores carrying works by local artists.

 The most interesting works at Moganshan?  The graffiti on the walls outside.  Refreshing.  One of the few places true graffiti is allowed.  Or is it just outdoor art?

Scenes from Luer Temple, Tainan, Taiwan

Luer is a village ten minutes from Tainan city in southern Taiwan.  This is a massive temple devoted to Mazu, the goddess of seafarers worshipped widely in southern China.  On this festival day processions from other subsidiary temples throughout Taiwan visited to pay respects to the main Mazu image.  They usually follow a processional circuit through the surrounding villages, carrying the images and banners under the hot sun.