Li Yilei, the ambitious electronic artist who recently released their debut album, Unabled Form, shared their isolation joys  with us, while under quarantine in a hotel in Shanghai.

Farewell My Concubine –by Chen Kaige, 1993. 

This historical film, set in a politically tumultuous China, from the early days of the Republic of China to the aftermath of the cultural Revolution, showcases the troubled relationship between two Peking Opera actors.  It explores the confusion of gender and identity, blurring the line between reality and dreams under political tensions.

More films:

Happy Together (1997) by Wong Kar Wai. A whimsical, gentle narrative of dreams, desires and longing; the heart-rending queer adventure of two young men.

Blind Beast (1969) An occult classic from Japan

Crazy Wisdom : The Life & Times of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche (2011) Documentary about a controversial Buddhist monk in the 60s.

Kagero-za (1980) 

Cremaster 1/2/3/4 

Drawing Restraint 9 (2005)

Girls Encounter (2018) 

Paris is Burning (1990)

 

Books: 

Last Words from Montmartre  (1996) by Qiu Miaojin, a Taiwanese lesbian writer’s letters to her lovers before she committed suicide in Paris.

A Queer Anthology of Rage / Joy / Sickness

The Coral Sea (1996) A poetic tribute to Robert Mapplethrope by Patti Smith

 

TV shows: 

Of course you can always rewatch Drag Race while waiting for the new episodes.

 

Games:

I have been playing Legend of Zelda: Breath of the wild again on Nintendo Switch. When you can’t go out, why not go hunting or cook or explore the open world? It is vast. The visual of the game is soothing. The soundtracks are nice too.

Music : 

Album – Sex, Voyage, and echo chamber by Kawabata Makoto & Michishita Shinsuke. Melancholy and romantic. The track “ Me and Bitter Psychedelic Tokyo” , it brings me back to a special memory .

I also recommend Chihei Hatakeyama – healing and meditative. The artists’ albums bring tranquility and stillness into our world. It is not possible to achieve outer peace without inner peace. Enjoy solitude. Try not to follow our stress, aggression and anxiety. Enjoy light peeking through our windows, enjoy air flowing into our nostrils, enjoy every bit of water we sip, enjoy moments and thoughts, enjoy all circumstances and most importantly, enjoy your present.

Buy Unabled Form:

https://www.ltrrecords.com/buy/unabled-form-lp

Main image, Blind Beast, (1969).