VIBErations Episode 21 - Patrick Dransfield

VIBErations podcast Ep 21. Photographer Patrick Dransfield @ VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 10th March 2021

BIO

Patrick Dransfield, a long-term resident of Hong Kong, has long attempted to express through the medium of photography and writing, the empathetic connectedness we share as human beings. He has a deep interest in the visual arts and literature, of both the west and China. “It is my profound hope that through preserving these fleeting moments of Beijing street life from the 1980s, east and west can once again be reminded of our common humanity: our common needs, desires, hopes and dreams.” Patrick holds a BA (Joint hons.) in English and History of Art from Leeds University and an MA in Far East Area Studies (Chinese Anthropology, Chinese History and Chinese Politics) from the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

Patrick’s book, “Track of Time: Moments of Transition”, was published in January. The author is donating 10% of the proceeds to the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Oregon, USA. Additionally, VIBE supporters enjoy a 10% discount!

https://www.clearwaycomms.com/booklaunch-start-page https://www.ft.com/content/c9a281e5-efea-4321-a71a-30e147cd442a

https://dransfield.smugmug.com/

10 Questions

1. Favourite book or author? The Magus, John Fowles : central characters Nicholas Urfe and Maurice Conchis – Island of Phraxos and London.

2. Favourite musical artist? Bob Dylan – (Its alright Ma, I’m only bleeding) My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards False gods, I scuff At pettiness which plays so rough Walk upside-down inside handcuffs Kick my legs to crash it off Say okay, I have had enough What else can you show me And if my thought-dreams could be seen They'd probably put my head in a guillotine But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only

3. Preferred drink? Depends on who is buying? Red wine - a Bordeaux, especially a good Pauillac (PU -YAC): wouldn’t say no to the Sauterne Chateau d’ Y’Quem (D’Qem) – very happy to settle for a 1999 Chateau Musar, however. I used to make wine and brew beer with my dad so on this the most serious of your questions I will use a Latin phrase which is close to what the amateur wine making judges had as their motto: ‘Ludex vinum insua merita’ – which means ‘Judge the wine on its own merits’.

4. Life motto? Don’t follow leaders: watch the parking meters from Dylan: ‘Ut ameris amabilis esto’ from Ovid: which means ‘If you want to be loved, be lovable”. 5. Favourite hk walk? Lantau Trail 6, I think. The bit that goes over 3 small peaks one of which is called Ling Wu Shan

6. Favourite hk restaurant? Best meal recently? La Petit Maison: best ambience? Tap Tap in Pui O and FCC main bar or outside by the pool at USRC, depending on whether I want company, or not.

7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak – what would you do? Actually this happened to Carmen and I on Lantau trail 6 and it was a cobra, shedding his skin in the spring. Standing still and not panicking usually means the snake vacates the premises. Having a stick and making noise before hand is a good preventative. A snake is not a monkey – I had to throw my lunch to one particularly aggressive macaque monkey on Monkey Hill. …

8. Best advice you were given? Punctuality is the courtesy of kings.

9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because…of my wife Carmen.

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? South Lantau – on our balcony in Ham Tin village