Art Chowder November | December, Issue 18 | Page 25

S o what exactly is the mis- sion of Alexander Chen; what is his plan? “My plan,” he chuckles wryly, “is too big.” I am fairly certain he is aware of his childlike innocence when he says he wants to record all the different cultures and cus- toms in the world in this way. Indeed, he has cultivated a bril- liant beginning. But because this deft and detailed style takes so much time and energy, in two decades he thinks he’s only reached about 20 percent of his hoped-for goal. We must definitely concede this is a staggering accomplishment for one human. Still, Alexander seems wistful. November |December 2018 25