Chinese rock star fuses visual and audible art

One Moment is Ding's first solo album in more than 30 years and it chronicles his journey as an artist.

"Life is all about choices. When I look back, I see my life as a process of making choices. Sometimes I make a choice and that's the one moment that changed my life," says Ding, as he picks out the title song from the new album.

The song opens with intense guitar riffs, symbolizing the moments which are most important in his life.

Ding also composed an instrumental piece, titled Seven Shadows, for his new album. The song was what he played as his opening act during a live performance held at Modern Sky on Dec 5.

"We are influenced by many people, our families, friends and colleagues. They are like shadows existing in our lives. But putting those influences aside, you should be who you really are," Ding says to the audience after playing the piece.

Ding's love of painting preceded his passion for rock music. Born in Beijing, Ding started painting when he was 9 and has been doing so since. He even graduated from the department of fine arts in Beijing Arts and Crafts School in 1983.

Ding is a longtime friend of Shen Lihui, the founder of Modern Sky who also used to attend Beijing Arts and Crafts School. Ding says that the idea behind his latest project was born when Shen invited him to join the music label a few years ago.

"The process of painting gave me time to think and reflect. Paintings are for the eyes while music is for the ears. They perfectly complement one another," says Ding.