Wangjie

　　Being alone in the wilderness suits photographer Deke Erh just fine. In that state of solitude, he has been able to capture the essence of western China.
　　An exhibition titled "Kanasi & Ejina," featuring the photographer's lonely journey across the desolate region is running at the Deke Erh Art Center through February 20.
　　"This is part of my project to chronicle all of western China, Central Asia and West Asia," says Erh.
　　For the past two years, Erh has photographed remote locations like the Badain Jaran Desert in Alxa Leaque and the Altay area in northern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
　　"These remote regions, far away from modern civilization, have retained a primitive, untouched outlook, " he says. "I was completely taken aback by its sheer beauty."
　　Yet according to Erh, there is a dearth of information on these places.
　　"Nobody seems to be interested in this region. But industrialization and changing weather patterns are threatening both the scenery and the old customs," he says. "I plan to spend 10 to 15 years to fill this vacant page in Chinese art history."
　　Born in 1959 in Tianjin, Erh's family was one of old Shanghai's wealthy families of note. Perhaps this is why he has an emotional attachment to the past, an attachment that has manifested itself in a passion for antiques and old houses.
　　In 1992, he started the Old China Hand Press, a Hongkong-based imprint which has published a series of coffee-table books on the western architecture of early 20th century China. Co-authoring with Tess Johnston from United States, he produced a series of books that include "A Last Look" which captures Western architecture in old Shanghai, and "Near to Heaven," a look at pre-revolutionary summer resorts. Their latest book together, "Frenchtown," chronicles the architecture of Shanghai's former French Concession, past and present.
　　"But now I am leaving the city behind, " Erh says with a smile. "I've established my studio in Lanzhou, northwestern Gansu Province, since its location is geographically convenient in terms of accessing western China."
　　The 100 black-and-white photos on exhibit will take the visitors to the high latitudes, flourishing forests, expansive desert and deserted old towns of this relatively uncharted region. The perfect light and shading, coupled with skillful compositions, offer a strong sense of desolation and innocence.
　　"Sometimes I'd take my camera into the heart of the desert. Standing there, I was surrounded with nothing but the wind and sand. The hardship and risk of this adventure were beyond my expectations," he recalls, "ye instead of feeling lonely, I felt a rush at my soul's awakening. I had arrived home."
Time: 10a.m.-8p.m., through February 20
Address: Lane 210,2,Taikang Road

Shangha Daily 2002.1.26-2.1