Academia, Stock Markets and Me

I’m currently working on my 400-word research proposal for the Chinese Government Scholarship of the China Scholarship Council. The following pseudo-academic nonsense is one of my drafts. In fact, I know nothing of “identity politics” and how it “informs art” and have little interest in writing about it, but I figure my chances would be better if I make some attempt at scholarly pretension. Also, I have no thesis, that was a lie. Please let me know what you think. I shall be providing a Chinese translation in the future.

While Shanghai and Hong Kong are now recognized global centres of commerce and fashion in China, few realize that Beijing is next in line as a new cultural capital, both musically and artistically. The megalopolis is a fiery crucible of growing artistic and musical talent, drawing young artists and musicians from every province and city of the nation. While many in the community can’t say for sure whether Beijing will develop into a permanent cultural hub such as Paris, London and New York, they know that these young artistic voices must be heard, and through an international network of media, new and old, sent to places far and wide.

With a background in music, arts and culture journalism, I want to continue my research and ongoing thesis on the current state of youth music and art in Beijing. The results of my research will hopefully build on a richer international appreciation of the new culture and its community that will make the world sit up and take notice. As I am Canadian and have written in Canada for several years, many of the publications in which my writing will likely appear will be based in Canada.

My report will examine how the two leading worlds of Beijing, music and art, interact with one and another, in comparison and contrast with similar scenes in other parts of Asia. I will also look into how the collective identity of these artists and musicians affects their output and informs how they strive for a separate and unique space in a local and global setting. Focusing on the above two points, I will work on a journal series that reflects a new and exciting scene and highlights a positive aspect of Beijing’s new spirit that has hitherto been left out of the spotlight. With more opportunities, a deeper understand and mastery of the language and a better acquaintance with local music and art, I hope to write a better story of the city and its ethos, going beyond the brief representations made so far on this subject.

Aurgasm on Gaida Hinnawi:

"... her first full album, Levantine Indulgence, [is] a spooky mix of traditional Arabic and Syrian sounds, plus her own, jazz-like vocals, and the occasional hip hop beat for good measure."

Gaida Hinnawi - Bint Hirabiya
Gaida Hinnawi - Almaya

How sad is it that I think my bank account this past year resembles Warner Music’s stock chart the most: