Marion and Anton have been beavering away, up and down ladders, hanging Stanley Wong’s large-scale photographic prints in St Andrews Museum this week.  ‘Lanwei / Decaying End’ was originated by the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester but FCA&C have brought it to Fife for its only showing in Scotland.  It runs from 22 January (Saturday) until 6 March 2011.

The sumptuous prints, taken around Asia in the last few years, describe the disaster that occurred following the mid 1980s building boom and subsequent crash.  Massive, high storey blocks were thrown up, the money ran and they were never finished, leaving these monolithic, semi derelict towers standing without purpose.  Not that Stanley Wong (also known as anothermountainman) has simply recorded their presence;  no, in some people and objects are placed – some are just posed, but others show the people who actually live in these ruins.

The exhibition will be open 7 days a week, 10.30am-4pm and is free.  To help you get into the swing of the nearly-upon-us Chinese New Year, some activities have  been devised in the Activity Space next door to the gallery where kids (of all ages!) can have a go at some simple paper cutting, or hang a wish on the Chinese Wishing Tree.  Organised activities include a 2 day modelmaking and photography workshop (17 & 18 Feb), a Chinese lantern making workshop (5 Mar), and a Family Fun Day (19 Feb).  Full details about these can be found on FCA&C’s website and bookings for the 2 workshops can be made through St Andrews Museum (tel 01334 659380).

Installation of Lanwei exhibition

Installation of Lanwei exhibition