No.101, Xiba Road, Kunming, capital of southwest
Yunnan
Province. The street where Loft is located looks pretty busy
with a constant stream of cars and buses. But contrary to the
tumult outside, the silent and narrow lane leading into the Loft
workshops reveals a harmonious existence between art and business.
Art workshops and design studios share breathing space with bars,
restaurants and teahouses.
In the courtyard of Shanghe Chuangku studio, run by the founder
of Loft, Ye Yongqing, a peacock proudly displays his beautiful
plume.
Born in 1958, Ye was trained in oil panting at the Sichuan Fine Arts
Institute. After graduation in 1982, he served as a professor
at the institute, a position he retains today. "What we are trying
to do is to create a social and public art scene that can be
enjoyed by everyone," Ye said, explaining his motive for
establishing Loft.
For the moment, Loft is home to a couple of painting workrooms,
two restaurants, three bars and several design and photography
studios. Artists from other parts of the world have also set up
shops at Loft. Some four years ago, a Dane opened his studio,
Nordic,?which showcases art and culture from Northern Europe,
particularly Scandinavia.
Many exhibitions in the fields of film, drama, poetry, music and
folk art have been held at Loft. Art events coupled with leisure
outlets make this a haven of sorts for people from all walks of
life: travelers, diplomats, celebrities, mayors, and
rank-and-filers.
However, Loft was totally different several years ago. Its
predecessor was the Kunming Machine Molding Factory, a 35-year-old
township enterprise manufacturing cutters, drill presses, and other
machines. In 2001, it had degenerated into a poorly managed company
with losses exceeding 1 million yuan. Factory leaders decided to
move production to the suburbs. The factory was refurbished and
turned into several unsuccessful business ventures including a
flower market and a car wash.
The wasted factory space proved to be a blessing in disguise for
Ye.?He and other local artists had been feeling displaced for
many years, largely hovering around Kunming University and the
suburbs, with no place to call their own. In 2001, Ye, together
with his friend and fellow painter Tang Zhigang, saw in the disused
factory a potential home for artists like them. They initiated
negotiations with the factory leaders that proved successful, and
soon after moved into the premises with 20 other painters.
And so Loft came to be.?
"Artists in Kunming have felt for a long time that they haven't
been appreciated," Ye complained. "It would have been a tremendous
encouragement to be reminded every minute that 'you're an
artist'."
Although the artists at Loft are financially independent, it is
their practice to help one another out if need be. The artists and
other tenants provide one another with services such as venue for
exhibitions, marketing collateral design and publicity. That is
part of the Loft ethos.
Loft has slowly gained in popularity and is now possibly the
most happening place in the city. So much so that exhibitions can
be organized in a day and still draw in the crowds.
In line with Ye's hopes and expectations, Loft has become a
place where everyone can enjoy art and be a part of it. Even a
dinner or a cup of tea at Loft involves a person with art.
"It's a substitute place, nothing and everything, juxtaposed
with daily life and thus full of possibilities," Ye explained.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Li Xiao, May 17, 2005)
