Fan Xiaochun breaks mold with new book

Source: China Daily (7/13/18)
Shanghai writer Fan Xiaochun breaks the philosophical mold with new book
By Xing Wen | chinadaily.com.cn

Fan Xiaochun [Photo provided to China Daily]

Fan Xiaochun’s newly-published book Jamais Vu, is a collection of 24 essays that vividly demonstrates the young artist’s spiritual achievements gained from her explorations into writing, painting, photography and documentary making.

“The book uses fictional settings, but it’s all about my real feelings and thoughts,” says the 31-year-old who has been billed as a “Fudan talent” for some years.

After studying at the journalism school of Fudan University, the Shanghai native has had published three books, gaining her recognition from celebrities such as director Long Danni and Taiwan-based actress Annie Shizuka Inou.

In 2012, Fan opted to study social documentary making at the School of Visual Arts in New York after gaining experience at a Shanghai TV station by directing several documentaries about historical figures like Yan Fu (1854-1921). She was awarded the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award for Exceptional Achievement in Social Documentary Film two years later.

The preparation for shooting and editing documentaries involves understanding issues from a broad perspective, which urged Fan to further her literary works by reading more widely and taking more time to observe people.

“Acting, directing, painting and writing are all fundamentally expressive roles, and a knowledge of the humanities is critical for people working in these areas. I’m eager to add an air of philosophy to my documentaries to improve their expressive capability,” says Fan, who became a PhD candidate at Tongji University last September.

Jamais Vu [Photo provided to China Daily]

Fan’s multi-disciplinary background enabled her to look at things from a variety of perspectives, such as philosophy, architecture and literature, which is reflected in Jamais Vu, which means “never seen” in French.

The book, designed by German Red Dot Design Award winner Sun Xiaoxi, presents 24 letters on more than 100 sheets of cards that are compiled in ring binders like a photo album, with pages of Fan’s visual art works,

“I’m willing to explore more creative designs for my books. I hope by adding my paintings and photographs it will help readers get a deeper understanding of my ideas.” Fan says.

She finished most of the book last year while she was working as the artist-in-residence at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai.

Fan says her time in the residential artistic community provided her with an ideal environment to immerse herself in her creative work and communicate with other artists.

“I also had enough time to learn German as I gear up for my doctorate program.” Fan says.

As a straight-A student, she has strong self-discipline and enjoys encouraging her followers.

Wu Jiacheng, a 25-year-old singer who made his debut in entertainment circles in 2015 through a TV talent show, boasts three million followers on Sina Weibo.

As one of Fan’s friends, he says she kept him hard at work not only in singing and acting, but also by encouraging him to learn English.

“A rising star like Wu has the potential to influence the younger generations. That’s why I want to inspire him in a positive way,” says Fan. “I’d like to be a teacher in the future.”

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