Sheila Bocchine, Photographer

Pinhole photograph of a flag on a pier in Santa Monica, California.
*****

I’ve started taking Salsa lessons on Sunday evenings at a little place called ‘Turn’ in Suwon.  I’ve always loved watching dancers…at a performance, in a club, on TV, in a musical, on youtube, at a show, on random street corners, at burlesque shows, in plays, in my living room, at a party…

I tried taking swing dancing lessons once but my dance partner wasn’t as enthusiastic as I, thus resulting in a never ending yearning to learn some form of organized dance.  I’ve had 2 lessons and am delighted to report that I know my basic steps and turns! AND when I dance with the instructor I even feel like I know what I’m doing, obviously he’s a terrific leader and I just follow, but the feeling is there!

After our lesson the club is transformed into a spectacle of colorful spin-tops twirling across the dance the floor. Feet repeat the pattern never missing a beat.  The cadence of dance shoes compliment the rhythm of horns and drums.  Hips swing you into a mesmerizing, hypnotizing gaze…

If you wish to partake, Turn is located by Hwaseong Fortress and The Big Chill and start at 5:30.

Pinhole photograph of roses outside of the Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara, California.
*****

This pinhole photograph was taken on a perfect day. With my love, in our perfect yellow VW Bug, driving up the most perfect road, weaving in and out of perfect hidden mansions, palm trees and tropical flowers…  I look at this photograph and wonder what happened?

…and my mind draws a blank.

Time is a perplexing concept, so much can happen in such a short period.  If you asked me on that day, where I saw myself in the next few months, I would have said living in gorgeous Santa Barbara, California, doing pinhole portraits of those free spirited residents. South Korea wasn’t yet a thought conceived.

In the past 3 months, I’ve made decisions that have changed my future indefinitely. Decisions I never thought possible (especially on the day of this photograph).  Decisions, that I chose to execute, leaving me in tears.  Decisions that I question daily.

I’ve started a new journey.  Alone.  I don’t know where I’m going.  I don’t know what I’m looking for.  I don’t know what happens next.

I’m sure of three things.  I travel.  I pinhole my adventures. I dream (out loud, in my sleep, on paper).

Good bye perfect day of the past.  You seem like a lifetime ago.

Pinhole photograph in Santa Barbara, California.

*****

Life is truly wonderful. Korea is such an amazing little corner of the world. Who know a such a small speck on the globe could deliver so much happiness. I’ve been having too much fun to blog, so I wanted to jot down a few joyous moments from the past few months to remember always:

*Many, many, many nights spent making memories in The Big Chill, my home away from home! (Quiz night, Acoustic night, going away parties, poker nights, shots lit on fire…)

*Dancing with drag queens in Itaewon… has happened a few times in the last few months! Oh, how I envy those long legs!

*Finding the perfect salon and getting a super fantastic haircut! I’ll definitely be going to Hair & Joy in Hongdae from now on!

*Listening to jazz at the most perfect little bar in Itaewon. The music is inspiring and the drinks are strong (Thanks Gregory)!!

*Hot springs in Asan, even thought the massage left me with bruises, the magic mineral water left my skin super soft and touchable!

*Hot chocolate machines on all train platforms! There is nothing better than grabbing a hot cup of cocoa to go whilst waiting for the train!

*Quick, quick, slow! Quick, quick, slow! Learning to salsa dance!

*A champagne party in an empty theater in Suwon! How deliciously divine!

*Norebong! Norebong! Norebong! I can’t get enough of those magical singing rooms!

*Byoungju’s magic tricks! Be prepared to be amazed, I’m not sure how he does it!

*Watching the first sunrise of the new decade with great friends on a mountain top in Seoul.

*Dancing! Dancing! Dancing! Korean clubs are such a blast!

*The Drunken Tigers! May we win Quiz Night at least once (but I’ll settle for complimentary looser shots too)!

*Being reunited with an iphone!

*Watching Kim Yuna make figure skating history and being able to share the happiness with my students!

*Finding a way to watch LOST all the way in South Korea

*New K-pop songs. I just can’t get enough of those catchy tunes!

*The never ending quest to find the perfect lip color…

*Yoga! Yoga! Yoga! I love it! AND then the two hours in the sauna!! Pure heaven!

*Learning poker… I’d say I’m starting to get pretty good! Watch out boys…

*Finding a place with scrumptious quesadillas in Seoul.

*Going all the way to Korea to see the largest collection of Andy Warhol pieces.

*Learning to love soju and bean paste…

*My first Korean wedding (totally different from all the weddings I shot in the States).

*Being so happy that I am signing another year and am looking forward to even more years…

Pinhole photograph of Brother One Feather’s Van in Santa Barbara, California.
*****

Long time no blog… I’ll try to catch up this week and post a few! I spent the last few weeks having an identity crisis, so this blog is a farewell to the pointy glasses I wore for the last 7 years.  A few weeks ago, at dinner with a friend, my glasses fogged up after walking into the restaurant and I grabbed a napkin to wipe them dry.  It was that moment that I noticed a crack in the arm by the screw. I teared up and knew I had to start looking for a replacement pair.

After dinner we went to 4 glasses shops and I tried on 100′s of pairs of glasses.  With every pair I wanted to burst into tears. Korea doesn’t have cateye glasses.  One of the shop owners even called them “Euro Glasses”.  I found 2 possible candidates that night and went home to sleep on it. The next day I went back, received the best eye exam ever and decided on a pair of rectangle lavender frames.  I’m not sure what I was thinking, I was so sad and decided to buy something totally different and lavender it was…

I couldn’t think straight.  I couldn’t see straight.  I should have never bought those frames at such a vulnerable time.  Wearing them for the next 4 days I realized that they just weren’t me. Then I stopped wearing them all together and went through the next 2 weeks seeing the world a little fuzzy… non stop headaches, blurry faces… I kept telling myself, my pinhole photographs are blurry so I’m finally seeing the world through a pinhole camera.

After work I would go home, put on my glasses and sigh relief, for clear vision is truly marvelous. By the end of last week I knew I had to find a pair of glasses.  I set out for Seoul on Saturday and was determined to find MYSELF.  I know there is more to me than a pair of glasses, but after 7 years of wearing the same pair, they really did become a part of me. I would get recognized everywhere I went and the 7 years of compliments were warm fuzzies for my ego.  I would put them on and I would feel like myself.  I knew who I was when I wore my glasses.  Rarely did I meet a person with similar frames. They were the perfect shape for my face and the perfect accessory to all my outfits.  Vintage hats and my glasses went together like peanut butter and nutella.

Every year I would go look for another pair of glasses.  Two years ago, I even purchased a pair, the credit card transaction was complete and a pair of sparkly purple Prada frames were about to be mine.  The feeling that went through my body after I signed the credit card slip was too much and I freaked out and had him refund my money and cancel the order.  I got new lenses put in my cateyes and was so relieved that I didn’t make that mistake.

Fast forward to this past Saturday. I went to drop off film in Sinsa-dong and decided to check out the neighborhood. Art galleries, vintage boutiques, fancy dress shops, coffee shops and fashionistas outlined the streets!  I was in heaven. The perfect neighborhood.  I had a feeling that I would find a splendid boutique selling unique frames. AND I DID! Yni, was filled with sexy, whimsical, and wild frames. I tried on almost every pair but wasn’t satisfied, UNTIL I was walking out the door and spotted a pair in the window case. I walked back in, tried them on and it was love at first sight!

I loved my cateyes but will admit for the past 12 years I have been looking for a pair of ‘Weezer Style’ frames like some I had in high school.  I was never successful because they usually are too small for my face.  BUT these, these were perfect.  Heavy black square frames, with equal parts of artsy goodness, sass, mystery and sexy librarian bookworm. These Japanese frames are now the perfect accessory to all my outfits.  They give me back my edge.  They make me want to take pinhole photographs.  They make me want to sit in coffee shops reading books and art magazines.  They make me feel smart and sassy.  They make me feel good.

The feelings of being insecure and lost these past few weeks have finally subsided, the identity crisis is over and life can go on.  Pointy cat eye glasses, I adored you these past 7 years and those years will always be remember with happiness!!!  I will always be looking for the next pair of perfect cateye frames, but for now, for now I am thrilled with these fantastic new frames.

Pinhole portrait of Brother One Feather sitting in his van, Santa Barbara, California.

*****

Happy Birthday To Me! Today I turn 30. I’m entering a new decade. HOW ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!  I definitely believe that life keeps getting better, although I was still a little freaked out about turning 30.

Today has been a day of reflection for me. I can still remember being 20 years old, living in Chicago, going to college, working at Pizzeria Uno.  I can still smell the dark room chemistry, taste the chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate breaks between classes, feel the bitter cold on my face while I waited for the bus, feel the grass under my toes while reading in the park on those hot Chicago summer days…

So many incredible things happened in my 20′s. I feel so blessed and grateful for the memories. I lived in energizing cities, went to college in Chicago, went to grad school in NYC, opened an art gallery in Phoenix, showed my pinhole photographs all over the world, fell in love, met the most fascinating people, laughed everyday…

The past 30 years have been a glittery string of happy moments… daydreams that have manifested right before my eyes…  Every thought, dream, word, action, and smile have lead me to where I am today – teaching English in South Korea and working on the most dreamy pinhole series to date (I can’t wait to debut it next year).

Here’s to the next 10 years of magical twinkling moments!

Pinhole photograph, Imagine, Brother One Feather’s Van in Santa Barbara, California

*****

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  My first Thanksgiving in Asia. Obviously they don’t celebrate it here, but my family sent cards with turkey’s and cornucopias to make it feel a little more like home.

I just wanted to run down a little list of what I’m currently grateful for… my family and friends who are scattered all over the world * my teaching job in South Korea * pinhole photography * daily new adventures * learning about a new culture * facebook for the ease of keeping in touch * weekends filled with visitors * that in a few days I enter a new decade * Skype * heated floors * footie pajamas * warm mittens and furry ear muffs * abundance of fresh fruit and veggies * for my wonderful new blanket * for always learning new things (like Korean,  poker last night and Snowboarding lessons this Sunday) * for abandoned amusement parks * readers of my blog * hotels, guest houses and jimjilbongs * norebong * dreams * for all the interest in my pinhole photographs these past few weeks * long distance love * happiness * everyday joy * packages in the mail * good energy * laughter * meditation * yoga * daily intentions * …and a million other things!

Have a delicious Thanksgiving!

Pinhole photograph of Believe, Brother One Feather’s Van in Santa Barbara, California
*****

On Saturday I went to the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul.  At the exit 4 subway station, not only is there a bus to the museum, there is also a Camera Museum with a Pinhole Truck outside! I’ll definitely be taking a trip back to peruse that museum.  The bus speeds along a curvy road forcing you to hold on for dear life, unless of course you like being thrown from side to side in a moving vehicle. We passed by an amusement park, a zoo, an arboretum and a sky lift.  Surrounding the museum is a beautiful sculpture garden.

I mainly explored 2 exhibits -  Peppermint Candy:  Contemporary Art from Korea in Seoul and their permanent exhibit “The more, the better” by artist Nam June Paik in their ‘Ramp Core’ which is eerily similar to the Guggenheim, only exceptionally smaller.

I thoroughly enjoyed Peppermint Candy, my first encounter delving into contemporary Korean art. I wrote down the names of these artists for further exploration:

Yongbaek Lee – Angel Soldier, 2005 Hidden in a repeating floral pattern on a wall sized print were camouflaged soldiers. The photograph was accompanied by a film, where you could see the shadows of the soldiers creeping along.  Quiet… Peaceful… Haunting…

Sungsoo Koo – Magical Reality Fanciful scenes of randomness and nice strong patterns.  There’s a great article posted on his website if you have the time to read it.

Jung-Hwa Choi – Ladies and Gentlemen   I wish I could find some information on this artist. I was immediately smitten with this piece.  An installation of religious icons wearing cartoon masks, Hello Kitty to Darth Vader. The room was wallpapered in tin foil and random colorful neon lights were strewn about.  I snuck a photograph.

Oh Inhwan – Where a man meets a man in Seoul The smell of wonderful hippies filled the gallery and I found the source in the back in a piece that captivated me. The artist spelled out hundreds of words in Korean and English in a slow burning incense.  You could watch the words burn revealing their message.  An interesting way to deal with homosexuality indeed.

To view all the photographs from the Museum, click here.

Pinhole photograph, Surfer Jesus, on Brother One Feather’s Van in Santa Barbara, California.
*****

…continuing my Korean class field trip.

After The Smiling Buddha, we went to a fortress… I think they all look the same and I don’t need to go to another fortress for as long as I’m in South Korea.

Our next stop was the Chollipo Arboretum and Mallipo Beach (on the Yellow Sea). Delicious Korean food and the lingering perfume of autumn blossoms made our picnic in the arboretum an afternoon delight! I’m a little sad I didn’t spend more time in the arboretum, I’m sure I could have taken some lovely pinhole photographs, but the only thoughts on my mind were of the Yellow sea just through the gate and down the steps…

THE BEACH! It was fantastic.  It had been far too long since my toes dug deep into wet sand.  We jumped, participated in beach dodgeball (I was the first one out in the first game and the last one standing in the second game), played hide-n-seek with tiny crabs, saved starfish that washed ashore and enjoyed a captivating persimmon colored sunset.  I collected seashells and inhaled salty air until it was time to bid adieu to this peaceful corner of the world.

Little did I know the best part of the trip was about to begin… our bus turned into a disco, norebong on wheels.  (norebong, or norebus, is basically karaoke). We sang for the next 3-4 hours.  It was way groovy! Candy colored neon lights flashed and the microphone was passed around and around and around!  The last hour or so, we picked songs everyone knew and our bus choir brought us home to Suwon.

To view all the photographs from this trip, click here.

Aliens and Angels on Brother One Feather’s Van, Santa Barbara, California.

*****

On Saturday my Korean class went on a field trip.  I couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous day for an autumn day trip.  We left Suwon heading west towards the Yellow Sea. After crossing Korea’s largest bridge we stopped at the biggest rest-stop I’ve ever been too.  The walk towards the women’s bathroom took us by street performers, boutiques, restaurants and ‘photo opportunity’ lookout points. The bathroom was unbelievable.  There were over 100 stalls on the women’s side alone.

The beautiful bathroom was complete with fancy Korean details such as plantlife and rockscapes. I did have to wait and open quite a few bathroom doors before I found one that wasn’t a squatter.  I promise I will not use a squatter for as long as I’m here.  I think they are so gross and can’t for the life of me figure out how to use one.  I mean, if I’m wearing a skirt with no panties, it seems like a no brainer, but I was wearing pants…  the stalls aren’t big enough to undress and where would I put my pants while I was trying to balance.  Squatters seem so primitive and outdoorsy, two characteristics that could never describe me!

Our next stop was high in the moutains where autumn colors dazzled crimson, pumpkin and gold.  We climibed steps that led to the Samjonbul image carved on rock surface in Seosan… The Smiling Buddha.  This 1400 year old statue was incredible. 3 Buddha’s: past, present and future.  Staring into the smiling eyes of Buddha was quite peaceful, the surrounding commotion and the foreign words of the tour guide became oblivious as I shared a moment with The Smiling Buddha. I couldn’t believe how well preserved this statue was, it didn’t even seem weathered.  It was definitely a highlight of my trip.

I’ll continue my journey tomorrow, until then, if you’re interested in seeing the other photos, click here.

Miracles, Brother One Feather’s Van in Santa Barbara, California.

*****

A little late in posting, since it happened 3 weeks ago… I went to the Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul. 66,000 square meters, with over 700 shops selling fresh and dried seafood from 15 fishing ports around Korea. It also includes numerous restaurants and an auction floor.

My friends and I arrived at 3:30am after spending a few hours at a midnight fashion market in Dongdaemun.  We wanted to witness the auction that starts at 3am.  Many of the shops were still being set up when we arrived.

You’ll have to view the photos I took to really get a feel for this place, I can’t even describe it. I had never seen such a variety of fish, squid, octopus, crabs, shark, sea cucumbers, shells…  The giant octopus were so pretty just sitting in their boxes waiting to be made into delicious dishes.  Everyone was so busy working, they didn’t even mind us taking pictures and ooo’ing and aahh’ing with every new find.  One shop owner even called to me, styled the fish and encouraged me to take photographs!

The best part of this experience was trying sannakji, live baby octopus. We went to one of the shops, bought some baby octopus and had one of the restaurants prepare it for us.  Along with fresh steamed crab and soju, we had a delightful early morning feast!  The sannakji was super tasty, dipped in sesame oil and a little salt, it really took on the flavor of the oil, but kept the chewy texture I love about octopus.  AND it’s true what they say about live octopus, the tentacles climb up your chopsticks and the suction cups stick to your mouth!!!  Truly a wonderful Korean experience!

To view all the photos from the Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul click here.