April 2003 Archives

It just proves that I am much quicker with fictions...

Anyway, this is William Gibson's latest. One surprising (?) thing was that this book wasn't really a science fiction. It's more of a mystery novel with some technology thrown in.

The setting is definitely now (or some time around 2002), with reference to the 9-11 incident and Google (actually, Google was fairly big, I thought). The main technological elements of the book would be web-based message boards, watermarking and Google.

Aside from those, it's pretty much about our protagonist, Cayce Pollard, looking for something, getting caught up in the process, and finding something much bigger than herself.

Somewhat disappointed by the lack of its "Sci-Fi"-ness, I thought about previous Gibson works, and trying to find some commonalities. I think his antagonist is always someone following up on some seemingly innocent things and discovering it being much bigger than his/herself. But mostly, these things happens quietly whose affects aren't apparent to most other people.

Also, another common element, I thought, was incorporating emerging (and new) technology and cultural phenomena. From an old interview, I read when he wrote Neuromancer, he didn't even know what "modem" did exactly. But he did recognize the emergence of the network connectivity and the sub-culture that followed.

I think he's been doing it. Just like many of his fans, he seems to get fascinated by a lot of "new" stuff related to technology and its sub-cultures. His interests in Internet communities, digital video, cell phones, and Japan seem to stem from this.

In the earlier days, this all worked because his imagination was able to contribute significantly to form those sub-cultures, but lately most of his efforts seems that he's just trying to keep up.

This is not a science fiction, in my "book." His writing style is very distinctive, but as far as a mystery novel goes, it's just passable. Frankly, I am a bit disappointed and being worried that we won't ever see an old time Gibson.

On a photo forum I frequent, someone was talking about how some people find his photo interesting while others hate it. This is something I wrote in response.

This is true to all modern art. I think it was so before, but the audience was much more limited in size and scope.

As you said, it's in the eye of the beholder. But does that mean it's all that counts? If the mass appeal, the approval from the mass, and the money are important, maybe so. The creators need to think about who's going to appreciate their works.

But the creation is for (mostly) your own sake, for expressing your view of things, then it really doesn't matter what others think. If people like your creation, that's good. If not, well, you can always say the world is not ready for you.

This got a bit more apparent in the development of abstract arts. Often times, what the creators intended and what the audience saw were totally different. Before it was much easier to agree on the commonality of the two parties, reflected on the work.

This discrepancy, I think, is perfectly fine. In recent years, the artistic expression has been going toward the individual's inner world, and that must be as diverse as the individual herself.

Of course, one can talk about techniques and rules. But those are just a guidance that tells you what would work for most people, most of the times (that is, what's still largely shared among our psyches). I don't think one shouldn't be too much concerned with it if the self expression is the most important criteria.

Hong.

HK Star Leslie Cheung Jumps to Death - Police Source

Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing (also known in Korea as, Jang, GukYoung) apparently jumped off from a hotel to his own death... on April 1st. The date being, there has been some confusion as to whether this was true or not. But it seems it is. Did he plan this?

Frankly, I didn't think too much of him in many of his Hong Kong action movies. But after I saw him in "Farewell My Concubine," I had to give it to him. He was a genuine actor.

o. "radiostar" by Peterpan Complex

I guess they have released a couple of tracks on indie compilation albums. They are Jeon, JiHan (vocal, guitars, keyboards, programming), Jeon, JiIl (bass, programming), Lee, GyoWon (guitars), and Kim, KyeongIn (drums, percussions). It might be just me, but they somehow have this trace of (post "hiphop") Seotaiji. And I don't think that's a good thing considering Seotaiji's current efforts (?) are quite disappointing. For a moment, I thought this was from Rock Records... :p

o. "Mass Appeal" by CB Mass

Their 3rd album. I think they are what's keeping up the underground rap (done in Korean) scene up in Korea. Since I don't watch Korean TVs that much, I can't be sure, but I doubt you'd see them there that often, if at all. They are good. Not hard-core, but more of a groovy type. They are Curbin, Choiza, and Gaeko.

BTW, what the hell was that 7th track about? :p

o. "SinBiCheHeom" by Lee, SangEun

I don't know if she's still using the Leetzche name, but this is her latest solo album. This one had a bit different sense (mood?) from her past several release, in my opinion. The difference isn't big, but I always felt that her music was getting "stale" for the past few releases. But this time, it felt different. Of course, Takeda, Hajimu is there with her, but this time Jang, YoungGyu (formerly from EoEoBu Project) also joined with them as a producer/arranger. Of course, it's hard to tell how much of an effect he had, but the whole album with a slight hint of electronica in the background worked out quite well. I'd say my favorite tracks were The World is an Orchestra (a very nice brass arrangement) and Soul Deep Sunday (very trans...).