One of our favorite Shanghai bloggers, Sue Anne Tay, will be showcasing a collection of her photographs titled "Construct, Demolish, Repeat: Building the Shanghai Dream" at the new Southern Barbarian this Saturday. The photographs, which will be on show for a month, are a collection of images from Tay’s blog “Shanghai Street Stories” and display a powerful contrast between "Old Shanghai" and "New Shanghai". This is a subject that Tay has been documenting for over a year and is clearly a personal passion of hers.

Often the view we see of Shanghais is of the modern and glossy side of the city, with images of Expo, shopping malls and the heaving Pudong skyline being the norm. But another side of Shanghai exists too, however it is quickly being cleared away.

What sets Tay apart from other photographers are her personal stories and anecdotes that she posts on her blog. "Shanghai Street Stories is a depositary of accounts and conversations with people and places I photograph, presented as they are - the good, the bad and the funny" says Tay.

"A photo in itself can be interpreted in many ways" says Tay. "I include personal stories about the photographs on the blog".

In a conversation with Tay, she says that she feels "no resistance" as such to the disappearing neighborhoods. There is no "right or wrong" or "moral of the story" behind her images. Instead Tay is an avid supporter of conservation and preservation and looks forward to a future where more emphasis is placed on sustainable development. Until then, Tay will continue to explore and document the subject with passion.

The launch party of the exhibition is this Saturday starting from 3-6pm, so hop Line 2 to Lujiazui for a selection of toothsome Yunnan snacks like fried goat cheese, beer from their 91 available varieties and plenty of wine.

DETAILS

What: Construct, Demolish, Repeat: Building the Shanghai Dream

Where: Southern Barbarian | Rm. B9, DBS Building, 1318 Lujiazui Huan Lu

When: Starting this Saturday, September 11 through the end of October.