travel starts with photography

Chapter 249 Losing to Nobody, You Cannot Lose to the Islanders

Nobel felt very comfortable when he woke up.

He has been busy with documentaries during this period, and the completion of the shooting does not mean that the work is finished, just like after the filming is finished, the test of the later stage has just begun, and of course the same is true for documentaries.

Sending Chen Xing to Arles was also a vacation he gave himself.

When he walked out of the room, he saw his old friend sitting in the living room watching TV.

Nobel has known his old friend for 30 years. He still remembers the time when he was just eligible to participate in the exhibition of the Arles Photography Festival. When his own people came, they found no place to live. That's when they met the collector Ma Mr. Tia, how time flies.

"Good morning, Mr Matthias."

Matthias was so old that he had to speak loudly to hear him.

"Good morning, Nobel."

Nobel looked at Chen Xing's closed door, and said, "Young people today are not what we used to be at all, and my son is the same. As long as he doesn't work, he won't get up at all if he doesn't sleep until noon every day."

"That kid? He didn't come back yesterday."

"He didn't come back?" Nobel was stunned.

Chen Xing went out at two o'clock yesterday. If he hasn't come back, there will be no news for more than ten hours. He won't be in any danger, right?

There was a thud in his heart, and he was shocked.

Arles is a very safe city, but no matter how safe the city is, it will have its dark side. What if?
After all, the two came together, and the hotels in the streets and alleys of Arles were all full of people, and this was their only place to stay.

And Chen Xing has not come back, where can he live?
Trembling with fright, Arles took out his mobile phone and called Chen Xing.

In just a few seconds, he vaguely heard Chen Xing's cell phone ringing somewhere...

Then, he heard a knock on the door.

Pick up the phone.

"Teacher? Are you looking for me?"

Nobel went to help Chen Xing open the door, his face was very dark.

Chen Xing took half a step back unconsciously.

"What's the matter, teacher?"

Nobel looked at Chen Xing. He changed his clothes. He was wearing an Arles-style blue shirt with short sleeves, a camera bag on his waist, a coat in his hand, and brown sunglasses. Same as yesterday, combed back.

It doesn't seem to be a problem.

Just a little red face.

"Where did you go yesterday? Why didn't you come back to rest?"

"This... I met a friend..."

"Why is your face so red, are you sick?"

"Glowing?"

In any case, at least it proved that Chen Xing was not involved in any accidents.

"Stinky boy! As long as it's okay, why didn't you tell me you were living outside? I almost called the police."

"Teacher, you didn't answer my call."

Professor Nobel took out his mobile phone and looked at it. He did find that Chen Xing had called, but at that time, he seemed to be in a video conference to deal with some work matters, so he forgot to answer it, and then he kept forgetting it...

Well, I can't blame Chen Xing.

He didn't care where Chen Xing went yesterday, anyway, people's safety was the most important thing.And as a photographer, it is normal to have acquaintances in Arles, and Nobel even began to feel relieved.

After all, there is no way to stay at a friend's house, and I really can't find a hotel.

However, the interpersonal relationship in France is slightly different from that in China. It is normal for them to welcome friends from afar to live at home. Therefore, when this kind of hotel in Arles is full, and there are many tourists who cannot find a place to stay, the local Residents will let some people live in their homes.

Of course, if you have a good relationship, you don’t have to pay for those who are friends.

Ordinary tourists still have to pay for accommodation.

Professor Nobel looked at Chen Xing's attire again, nodded and said, "You look very handsome today, it seems that you are ready."

What to prepare?
Chen Xing didn't understand for a while.

Are you going to give a speech?
He just bought his clothes and trousers, and the one he was wearing is still in Hinako's hotel, but it is not dirty and can be worn.But the few days I have come to Arles are very important, so I have to pay more attention to the issue of personal image.

Nobel said: "You come in first, I will take you to meet my friend after I tidy up a little bit, you must pay attention to your own words and be more prudent, you know?"

"I see, Professor."

Professor Nobel moaned for half an hour.

Professor Nobel is also very concerned about his own image. In other words, Parisians are like this. At least half of the passers-by on the streets of Paris are meticulous in their hairstyles and dresses. Even the color of gloves depends on the clothes they are wearing today.

But the rest of France is fine too.

At least the people of Arles are relaxed.

Professor Nobel took Chen Xing to a coffee shop hidden in an alley. The facade was small, but when he walked in, he found that the space was very large and bright. The light was as soft as natural light, but he rarely saw it. to the windows.

"The people who come here are usually acquaintances, and sometimes you can also see French stars here." Nobel said.

Chen Xing nodded, followed behind the teacher and looked left and right.

Judging from the decoration, the style here is very delicate, and the arrangement of tables is not as dense as that of the street cafes. Obviously, it pays more attention to the privacy of the guests and has more privacy.

Nobel led Chen Xing to sit at a small square table with a board made of wood to separate the seats next to him.

Chen Xing said: "This coffee seems to have been open for a long time."

"From the opening in 1932 to the present, it must not be short. There are still many works given to him by previous painters in the owner's home. They were still in this coffee shop before 2003, but they were almost stolen by thieves later. , the boss put him at home."

"Sorry, I have to correct you. I put him in the bank's safe, not my home. Nobel, you spread false news like this, didn't you think that the thief would go to my house specifically? ?”

Chen Xing looked at him.

This is a middle-aged man who just walked over. He looks in his forties, and his temperament and clothes are a bit like a British gentleman.

After he said those words, he extended his hand to Chen Xing with a smile: "Hello, this is Hercule Abbott, the owner of this shop. Nice to meet you, Chen Xing from China."

When he said Chen Xing's name, he pronounced the word Chen Xing correctly, and put Chen Xing's name first.

"Do you understand Chinese?" Chen Xing asked.

"I only know a little bit, and I can take it as a skill to enjoy myself in front of my friends, but in the eyes of you Chinese people, my little bit is probably nothing. If I didn't want to run this store, I would be very happy." It is possible to live in Huaxia for a long time."

"Thank you for your love for our country."

Nobel introduced: "Mr. Abbott is one of the largest collectors in France, and this store can only be said to be his family business."

"Nice to meet you, Mr Abbott."

"Don't be so polite, I really like the work you exhibited in the arena. Can you put the work in my museum after the exhibition is over? My private museum, 60.00% of it is The best photography of all time."

Nobel said: "You are too anxious, there is still one month before the end of the exhibition."

"Whether Mr. Chen's work wins or not, the price I give will be very high, and there will be no change. After all, you know that what I like will have a price in my heart, and other people's opinions have nothing to do with me. .”

Speaking of this, Mr. Abbott said to Chen Xing: "Did you know that the organizing committee of the Arles Photography Festival prefers the works of island photographer Kintaro Yamazaki?"

Chen Xing nodded slightly and said, "I know a little bit."

After all, other people's works are placed in front of me. From this, it can be seen that his works are better than Chen Xing's works in the eyes of the judges.

"Kintaro Yamazaki is only 24 years old this year. He is a very famous genius in recent years. He is especially good at shooting various kinds of flowers and trees and forests, and his style is not fixed. I have watched the works exhibited by you this time many times. His "The Beauty of Withering Cherry" I personally think is not as good as your "Dashan Miao Village"."

"Thank you."

"But there is a problem here, which is very important."

Chen Xing knew why Nobel taught him to bring him to meet this person. This is not a collector, but a critic.

He just worried that he didn't know what the judges liked about Yamazaki.

So Chen Xing was very respectful, and asked like his own teacher: "Please tell me."

"Your shooting style has a strong Chinese taste, and it is different from the Chinese style we know now. Many Chinese photographers I know like to shoot what your Chinese look like 50 or [-] years ago. There is an old, backward, The beauty of simplicity, and the simplicity that these photographers have pursued all their lives.”

"As for you, Chen Xing, your age is the youngest among the photographers I know, but your style is even older than theirs. It is so old that it blurs the age, blending the feeling of ancient Chinese culture, just like now Many people don’t need to read your personal introduction for your work “Miao Village in the Mountain”, they will know where they passed by, and when they see the work, they will know, oh, this must be Huaxia.”

"do you understand?"

"I probably understand."

Or is the personal style of my works too strong, enough to catch the atmosphere of China, but not able to enter the high-end halls of Europe and America?

Abbott straightened his clothes and sat down.

"Don't feel sad about this. This is a problem for European and American photographers and collectors like us, not your problem. The more you understand Asian culture, the more you will like your works, taken by Kintaro Yamazaki Cherry blossoms, peach blossoms withered, the composition is of course beautiful, this is the best technique of photographers in island countries, and the artistic conception is also simple and easy to understand, but in terms of content, it cannot be compared with your works.”

"Thank you for your comfort……"

Chen Xing had a bad feeling.

Could it be my Arles Newcomer Award?Otherwise, why would this collector comfort himself so much?
What he said later, Chen Xing always felt that after losing the election, he should not be sad or confused, and should stick to his own creative style.

Chen Xing frowned and asked, "Is this person sure to win the award?"

Professor Nobel said:
"You and him are the most powerful young photographers in the past two years. Most of the newcomer awards are selected between you. At present, Yamazaki Kintaro has a certain advantage, but you are not completely without opportunities, otherwise I will not I brought you here in such a hurry."

"Teacher, what is the way?"

What's the matter, Chen Xing may not care about winning or losing for a while, but he cares that the winner of the award is actually an islander.

When did the Chinese lose in the two-on-one competition with the islanders?

If this news spreads to the country, what will he do?
I made the best-selling documentary ever!

You never beat the islanders!
I made a lot of money!I bought a house and a manor, and I have a bunch of concubines!
You never beat the islanders!
This will not work.

Chen Xing's fighting heart was unprecedentedly high now, and he looked at the professor with bright eyes, but Professor Nobel laughed and motioned Chen Xing to find Abbott.

Chen Xing looked at him again.

"Mr. Abbott, can you do anything?"

"Of course I have."

He held his head up and looked very confident. This kind of confidence reminded Chen Xing of Marlon Brando who played the role of Godfather. This demeanor was simply amazing. Chen Xing decided to learn from it in the future.

"I heard that you haven't signed a gallery yet. I have a gallery under my name that has some contacts in Europe. If you are willing to come to my gallery. Of course, we will help you promote your works and increase your popularity. Your best now What’s missing is public awareness.”

Chen Xing looked at the professor.

Nobel said:
"You don't have to be so resistant to the gallery's help to you. I know you want to build your own website, but it doesn't make money. Didn't you find out? So much so that you won the Fadong Photography Festival award, but you still want to shoot commercial photography to maintain livelihood."

Chen Xing's photography style looks good to professionals, but ordinary Europeans may not buy it.

If Chen Xing is allowed to develop on his own, it will be difficult to break through the circle, but ordinary galleries will not work either. They may not see the value of Chen Xing and treat him like an ordinary photographer.

Therefore, Mr. Abbott, who understands Chinese culture best and likes Chinese culture, is the person most recommended by Nobel.

Abbott also said:

"Chen, do you have any concerns? With all due respect, the existence of the gallery is to serve every artist, and the money we earn only comes from your fame, so we will spare no effort to promote your works, often Opening exhibitions and so on..."

"I have no opinion, I can sign it, but can you give me a day?"

It’s not that he can’t sign a contract. In the past, he wanted to wait for graduation to get it done. After all, now he has nothing, no studio, and few works. What’s the use of spending time signing a contract with a gallery?

But now, he finds that he has somewhat underestimated the role of the gallery.

(End of this chapter)