Happy New Year to all my visitors and friends, especially to everybody from China and Taiwan. Best wishes for a felicitous and prosperous Year of the Rat!
Toby said:
I presume this is in London; the Chinese New Year, right? (The next two photos also.) I love these shops. Always make me think of “Gremlins”. Wish England had more – Spain is full of them (“Bazars”). In Spain, they often sell both Chinese and Catholic statues – an eccentric mix, but somehow compatible. ´”Kitsch” isn´t quite the right word – too patronising. For me, these statues show a genuine pleasure in decoration; also a celebration of well-being / happiness (though less of the latter with Catholic statues, obviously…)
Daniel said:
You are right, Toby, this is a shop in Soho. The perception and use of devotional objects in the East and the West is completely different. Although when you think about the areas where folklore and faith mix, it is rather similar.
I presume this is in London; the Chinese New Year, right? (The next two photos also.) I love these shops. Always make me think of “Gremlins”. Wish England had more – Spain is full of them (“Bazars”). In Spain, they often sell both Chinese and Catholic statues – an eccentric mix, but somehow compatible. ´”Kitsch” isn´t quite the right word – too patronising. For me, these statues show a genuine pleasure in decoration; also a celebration of well-being / happiness (though less of the latter with Catholic statues, obviously…)
You are right, Toby, this is a shop in Soho. The perception and use of devotional objects in the East and the West is completely different. Although when you think about the areas where folklore and faith mix, it is rather similar.