Bringing music to the streets
By Vivian Zhang
Photos by Yao Fan



杨洋是国家二级钢琴演奏员, 毕业于上海音乐学院. 去年底, 他以第一名的成绩通过考试取得上岗证, 成为鼓浪屿上的十大街头艺人之一. 50多岁的他和妻子爱上了这个音乐之岛. 他说, 很喜欢这里的景色与氛围, 更喜欢这种直接与听众交流的演奏方式. 国庆黄金周后的闲暇时间里, 双语周刊记者对他做了专访.

Background

At the end of 2004 dozens of street artists from Gulangyu took part in a qualification test. The top ten were awarded with a license that would legally entitle them to perform on Gulangyu from January 1, 2005. The remaining performers had to leave to ply their trade in other places. According to the Xiamen city government, the reason for the move was to ensure the high artistic skill levels of Gulangyu's performers and to keep the island markets open and attractive to tourists. The number of licensed street artists on Gulangyu will be maintained permanently at 10, with the one who gets the lowest mark in the annual qualification test being expelled and replaced by a new candidate.

Yang Yang is a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and also a national grade two piano player. In the qualification test last year he scored the highest mark and became one of the ten licensed street artists on Gulangyu. Now in his fifties, Yang Yang fell in love with the little island when he was looking for a way of life which suited him. He very much enjoys its breathtaking beauty and the direct musical exchange with audience that is possible for a street artist. One day after the Golden Week rush, Common Talk interviewed Yang Yang.


Yang Yang and other Gulangyu street artists went to perform at Hecuo Primary School.

Turning point

Q: You have a very sound educational background - why didn't you take a job in an orchestra?
A: I was working in an orchestra in Shandong Province. However, I was in a car accident and was severely injured. The financial situation at the orchestra at that time was very tight, so I decided to retire.

Q: How did you discover Gulangyu?
A: I had been to many places before a friend mentioned Gulangyu to me, saying that it was a perfect place for fishing. He was right. I love fishing here, and I love the musical tradition of this island even more. Then an idea hit me: why not settle down here and bring beautiful music to the tourists? It is my profession, after all, and this way I can contribute to the traditions of the Music Island. A piano is too heavy, so I bought some keyboards to play instead.

Playing in the street

Q: Do you ever have any problems in your position as a street artist?
A: Fortunately I have my pension, so I don't have to make a living from my performances. The music is definitely my top concern. I have over 4,000 pieces in my repertoire, including classical and pop tunes, jazz and rock, Chinese and foreign pieces. I always hope my audience will enjoy them as much as I do. But sometimes people have biased views toward street artists and think they are just fraudsters or are no better than beggars. Sometimes people are suspicious of me because my music is too good. They say I am playing a trick on them by playing a recording, or they interrupt and insist I lift my hands off the keyboard.

Q: That must be annoying. Does it affect you much?
A: It has happened a few times, but things are changing for the better as more people learn to give art and artists the respect they deserve. I am inspired every day. Many tourists close their eyes and enjoy my music for long time. The only complaint is that they can't find a seat. An elderly musician from Beijing once left me his contact number and said he would help if I decide to record an album. One day, Geoffrey Tozar, one of the most famous pianists in the world, came to Gulangyu to give some concerts. He was amazed to learn about the different techniques needed for playing the piano and keyboards, and even had a go on my keyboards himself.


Geoffrey Tozar had a go on Yang Yang's keyboard.

Plans for the future

Q: Does it ever occur to you to look for a better job?
A: Once a friend offered me a position in a band with very good pay. I turned it down without much consideration. A man of my age should stick to the way of life that most suits him. I enjoy the life and music on this island, and the freedom as well. I can't be separated from the island, at least for the foreseeable future.

Q: What is your plan for the future then?
A: I have a dream of setting up an open air music bar on the island. There will be a piano sheltered from weather. As you know, I originally studied the piano, so it will be a joy to play one again. The tourists will be able to sit comfortably, taking their time and being swept away by the scenery and my music. Many of my friends, who are excellent musicians in orchestras all over the country, will be invited to come and play with me. I believe that by that time, people will have a better attitude towards street performances and street artists, and Gulangyu will be even more of a music paradise.

Vocabulary
ply 从事
expel 驱逐
conservatory 音乐学院
fraudster 骗子

Don't like the painting? Change it
Photo by Yao Fan



The Chinese European Art Center at Xiamen University has just opened an exhibition called "Participate?" that does not work like other contemporary art shows. It invites the visitors to the gallery to actively engage with the displayed artwork and physically change the exhibition. Visitors can change the drawings or paintings on the walls, or reprocess the video works and animations and display them again. The art students from the university play a key part in the project. They will be continuously present at the exhibition throughout the project and will assist the visitors in changing the exhibition.

The exhibition will run from October 7th till 28th. For more information, please call 2180850 or 13055505684.