Encounter with the Great British Writer D.H. Lawrence

Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. While walking through the urban landscapes of Paris and London, I often have unexpected encounters with writers, poets, painters, performers, singers, actors, and artists. These meetings are conscious; they often begin with a commemorative plaque where they once paused, leading to a spiritual experience that becomes cultural heritage for the city or locality. This awakens people's awareness. Art and humanities are common assets of humanity, co-constructing civilized society and the future.

During this trip to London (July 2015), I unexpectedly encountered D.H. Lawrence, a major twentieth-century British writer whom I frequently cite, while strolling at the Par & Display car park. He understood early in the last century the importance and irreplaceability of local culture; respecting other cultures was his most important gift to posterity. He wrote: "Every continent has its own great local spirit, every nation has its local character, which is home, which is homeland. On this earth, different places have different vitality, different vibrations, different chemical smells, different stars, different characteristics. You may call it whatever you like, but the local spirit is a great reality" (Note). This serves as the most powerful argument for local culture in today's globalization.

(Note: D.H. Lawrence, Studies in Classic American Literature. NY 1961, P5-6)