Growing up with Shanghai: 'Soundwalk' with the locals

Shanghaieye tipped us off to Shanghai-based, American sound artist Terence Lloren’s new project Growing up with Shanghai. Thankfully online, not gallery-based, Lloren’s project is a six-month labor of love where he recorded 'soundwalks' "from nine local Shanghainese talking about their memories of a location in the Shanghai Municipality,” he explains. 

Far, far from a mere walking tour, each person interviewed was born after 1978, growing up at the same time that China and Shanghai were rapidly developing. “These recordings capture not only their most intimate memories of the locations where they grew up, but also the progress and growth Shanghai has undergone in the past 30 years,” says Lloren. All interviews are in Shanghainese -- sorry. 

Although it’s great to watch the videos (all mp3 are available for download from Growing up with Shanghai's site) what got us excited was also that Lloren has self-published the transcripts in English and Chinese with photos, maps, and info that helps people actually walk the routes he covers. If there was ever an excuse to wander Shanghai (a favorite past time, well admit), this would be it. Copies will are on sale now in Boonna cafés. 

Boonna Cafes: 88 Xinle Lu, near Xiangyang Bei Lu 新乐路88号, 靠近襄阳北路; 1690 Huaihai Zong Lu, near Wuxing Lu 淮海中路1690号, 近吴兴路