Steve Buscemi takes in Shanghai in black and white

Next time, Steve, stay for some Grandma's Mashed Potatoes. Trust us.

It's not every day that a Golden Globe and Emmy award nominated actor shows up unexpectedly at the launch party for a small photo exhibit at a Yunnan restaurant in Shanghai, China, but that's what happened yesterday when Steve Buscemi stepped in from the rain to check out Ying Tang's "Balance" at Southern Barbarian. Buscemi, in China off and on since October for the filming of the Nanjing Massacre film John Rabe, arrived quietly with his Chinese assistant, checked out the exhibit, chatted with the photographer and a few other guests, posed for some photos, and then, after a half an hour or so, checked out nearly as quietly. And yes, we saw him smile one or two times. Seriously.

Ying Tang's photos will be on display at the cozy restaurant (with excellent beer) for a while (we don't think any end date has been specified). Here's some more info:

Southern Barbarian introduces Ying Tang with her exhibition on Shanghai street life, “Balance”. This collection of stunning black-and-white photos sums up the contrasts of modern Shanghai as seen through the eyes of this Shanghai native, returning to her hometown after 15 years overseas. The images reflect how ordinary people are caught in the midst of the city’s modernization, and their struggle to balance traditional values with new mores in a society where change has become the norm.

Ying Tang was born and raised in Shanghai and moved to Nagoya, Japan at the age of 18. She got her BA degree in Japan, and then graduated with a Master's degree in Broadcasting & Communications from Washington State University. Working as a camera person in San Francisco, she developed her passion for street photography there, before returning to Shanghai. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune.

Ying Tang has quite a following on Flickr. And here you can see a contact sheet of the photos on display at Southern Barbarian. Also, check out her Shanghai Street Work collection.

Now, back to Buscemi. Just a few days ago, we enjoyed his turn on 30 Rock as weaselly private investigator Lenny Wosniak, who teaches Alec Baldwin one of life's most important lessons: the guy with the cookie jar collection never gets the corner office. You're suposed to be able to watch the episode, entitled "The Collection," here. Screen caps here. For all things Buscemi, we suggest you check out tisbuscemi.com.

"Balance" by Ying Tang, Southern Barbarian, 2F Area E, Ju'Roshine Life Arts Space, 56 Maoming Nanlu (near Jinxian Lu). 上海聚荣轩生活艺术空间南蛮子餐厅. 上海市茂名南路56号E-16. Tel: 5157-5510.

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