Monday, June 6, 2011

Chinatown - Two Ways (and give away winner)

Last Friday, I went on a tour of San Francisco's Chinatown with a group of labor scholars who were in town for the Law and Society Conference.  I picked up some memorabilia and used it to create the first page in my Smashbook Sketchbook (above). The journaling reads "A historical tour of Chinatown reveals much more than fortune cookies, souvenirs, and dim sum." Some of things I highlighted on the historical Chinatown map are the indications of a clothing factory, cigar shop, gambling, and "white occupants."  I cut apart a bookmark that I picked up at the historical society to make three signs.  I added a little more journaling about interconnected struggles for justice and declared it done.  My sketchbook theme is "In 10 minutes," and I'm trying to make each page in ten minutes.  It took me more like 15 minutes to complete, but  that's okay. I like how the page emphasizes the crowded nature of the streets and back alleys in Chinatown.  I really wanted to take some pictures, but the only camera I had was my iphone.  I did manage to get a few interesting shots:
The day really made me want to return with my real camera to go on a photo walk. It also got me thinking about how many different places around the world have their own Chinatown. I'm curious - where do you live and is there a Chinatown in your area? 
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And congratulations to Yvonne, the winner of the CTMH stamp set.  Email me your address to rinda1961@yahoo.com, and I'll drop them in the mail.
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16 comments:

  1. TracyJune 6, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    I love that page, and your pictures of chinatown. And no, we dont have one here :-(

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  2. HeatherJune 7, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    cool pictures. I'd love to go there! no chinatowns in Scotland :/

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  3. AmyJune 7, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    I live in Melbourne Australia and there is certainly a Chinatown here. We also have a definite Italian area, Vietnamese area, Greek area ... really I could go on! Just recently you had a glimpse into my visit to Chinatown here, we are so spolied for food options in Australia - it is unbelievable ;-)

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  4. SianJune 7, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    I really really like that first photo Rinda.

    Visiting a China Town district is on my list of things I want to do. Soon.

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  5. scrappyjackyJune 7, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Love the page,Rinda....and some fascinating photos.
    Our nearest Chinatown is in London....where there's quite a large one.

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  6. YvonneJune 7, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    WAHOO, I'm a winner! Thank you so much. I have emailed you my address.

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  7. laurieJune 7, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    your page really does evoke the spirit of that geographical area! great job. :-) we don't have a china town (that i know of) in phoenix.

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  8. donnaJune 7, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    This is so very cool! 10 minutes? I should give that a try. There is a big Chinatown in Vancouver- full of interesting people and shops. I am glad you are going to have more play time. Have a great week...Donna

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  9. nancy yJune 7, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Love your journal page - I think it captures everything you set out to. There is a Japantown in San Jose, but out at the History Museum there's a whole building about the Chinatown that was in San Jose.

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  10. AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    I was having a conversation with one of the professional photographers at the local camera club meeting last night, and his opinion is the camera on your phone is the only point and shoot you need. I was seriously thinking about getting a p&s with manual capabilities, but now I'm having second thoughts. The comment was prompted by your great phone photos of Chinatown. The nearest Chinatown to us is in Toronto, and I've only been there once.

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  11. Maria@BubblegumandDuctTapeJune 7, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    congrats to Yvonne, woohoo, way to go!

    I like to visit China Town here in Los Angeles for the food....yum. I'll have to post pictures soon too. There's a strong cultural feel present here in China Town Los Angeles, unlike Little Italy in San Diego....unfortunately, not much of Italy there.

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  12. humelJune 7, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    *fab* page, I think I might adopt your '10 minute' rule and just get started on my Smash Book!

    PS There's a Chinatown in a city near us - forgive me if I don't give the city's name here, but I think you know where it is? :)

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  13. Gerri HerbstJune 7, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    Love the page! Love your photos and stories of Chinatowm. great post. thanks for visiting today.gerri :)

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  14. IreneJune 7, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    We have a Chinatown in downtown Houston that is being taken over by many clubs opening in the area. Chinatown has moved to the south which is more of an international area as there are China, Vietnam and many more countries represented in this area. I visited San Francisco Chinatown about twenty one years ago and your pictures bring back those memories.

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  15. YoliJune 8, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    We have a Chinatown (renamed Int'l district) but its nothing like San Fran or NYC's Chinatown.

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  16. TriciaJune 9, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    Fantastic page! Off to check out your next post.

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