Wednesday, September 19, 2007
9/16/07
Today we all said goodbye to Beijing while some of us will travel on and others will return to the states. This trip has been life changing for me because I've never experienced another culture so different from my own and learned so much about myself in the process. Seeing China and getting to know its people and places has made me feel so grateful for this opportunity, this has been the type of trip I've always wanted to take. And, getting to express my new experiences through art and being able to share them with my classmates has been priceless. Coming to China was one of the best decisions I've ever made and I can't imagine having done it without the people I've met and Ying and Edwin there to guide us through it.
9/15/07
Our last full day was a free day, which gave me time to complete my Beijing project. I chose to do the third in my series of street scenes with watercolor and ink. The scene I drew was one that I saw in the 798 Art Factory district of graffiti in a circular pattern on a crumbling brick wall. I though that the use of the spray painted circle on the small square bricks was a contemporary twist on earth as viewed from heaven and helped to blur the lines between the two to form a heaven on earth in China.
Our last dinner was really tasty and I enjoyed the Beijing tea house afterwards. All of the acts, the Kung Fu, the face changing opera, the juggling were unlike any I've seen before. It was the perfect cultural treat to end our trip with.
Our last dinner was really tasty and I enjoyed the Beijing tea house afterwards. All of the acts, the Kung Fu, the face changing opera, the juggling were unlike any I've seen before. It was the perfect cultural treat to end our trip with.
9/14/07
The Temple of Heaven turned out to be more of a stroll in the rain than an exploration of one of China's richest cultural sites. From under my umbrella I enjoyed the vibrant blues of the temples and found the layout of the buildings quite interesting. I like the history behind the use of circular structures inside square enclosures to represent the view of earth as seen from heaven. I plan to incorporate this practive into my art piece, but in a modern way where earth and heaven blend as I believe they do in contemporary China.
9/13/07
I had been looking forward to visiting the Forbidden City but found the tourist crowds to be overwhelming, and the rainy weather didn't help. While inside though I tried imagining how it must have felt to live inside the walls and found myself feeling sorry for the hundreds of concubines that must have led uneventful lives.
After the crowded forbidden city we moved on to a place twenty times as obnoxious: the electronic store. I've never seen a department store style electronic store such as this one, with 8 floors packed full of the same items differing only by brand. I found myself missing Best Buy where the prices might be expensive, but at least you don't have to haggle and can get a straight answer from the employees.
After the crowded forbidden city we moved on to a place twenty times as obnoxious: the electronic store. I've never seen a department store style electronic store such as this one, with 8 floors packed full of the same items differing only by brand. I found myself missing Best Buy where the prices might be expensive, but at least you don't have to haggle and can get a straight answer from the employees.
9/12/07
Hiking the Great Wall was so extremely tiring and rewarding, I loved every minute of it. It was so crazy to be climbing that many stairs dating back so far, and the fact that they were all manmade is unimaginable. There were times when I would descend from a watchtower so tired only to see the many stairs I would have to climb and I think it might be impossible. But we all completed the hike like champs. My legs were sore for a week, but now I can say I've climbed the great wall! 
On the way back to Beijing we stopped off at the 798 Art Factory district. These contemporary art galleries were my favorite art spaces and works I've seen in China. My favorite gallery was Zhou where the pieces mainly depicted Asian women in vibrant, graphic brush strokes. I found the artist to be a clever, crafty designer because almost all of her pieces were also printed onto items that could purchased, like notebooks, wallets and magnents.
On the way back to Beijing we stopped off at the 798 Art Factory district. These contemporary art galleries were my favorite art spaces and works I've seen in China. My favorite gallery was Zhou where the pieces mainly depicted Asian women in vibrant, graphic brush strokes. I found the artist to be a clever, crafty designer because almost all of her pieces were also printed onto items that could purchased, like notebooks, wallets and magnents.
9/11/07
After arriving in Beijing by train, we headed to the Art and Design school based there to have lunch and a tour of their campus. Their facilities were amazing, everything was state of the art and very well designed. I especially love their digital arts building where all of the classrooms opened up into a large atrium. If I had the chance, I would attend this school in a heartbeat.
Next we bused out to the Great Wall and made it there just in time to see the sunset. While the sunset wasn't as bright as we'd hoped, the view from the wall was beautiful. And, eating dinner outside our host's house in his small village was delicious, some of the
best dumplings and vegetables I've had in China. I'll never forget the hike up in the dark to the watch tower where we would sleep that night. All of the stairs were so steep, and it was only the beginning. We played the card game "bullshit" by the light of flashlights and cozied up in our sleeping bags, asleep in minutes. This one of the best, unforgettable nights I've had in China.
Next we bused out to the Great Wall and made it there just in time to see the sunset. While the sunset wasn't as bright as we'd hoped, the view from the wall was beautiful. And, eating dinner outside our host's house in his small village was delicious, some of the
best dumplings and vegetables I've had in China. I'll never forget the hike up in the dark to the watch tower where we would sleep that night. All of the stairs were so steep, and it was only the beginning. We played the card game "bullshit" by the light of flashlights and cozied up in our sleeping bags, asleep in minutes. This one of the best, unforgettable nights I've had in China.9/10/07
Our exhibition opened today and it had a much bigger turn out than I, or anyone else, expected. It was great to be completely finished with our work for Jinan and be able to relax and enjoy our classmate's projects. The Chinese students that came to see the exhibition were so friendly and supportive. I felt so welcomed and honored, they really made our show feel like a big event. Even the president of the University came and met us, showing his support and modesty.
When we said goodbye to the students they were all so sweet, I've never had people stand at the curb and wave us all goodbye like that. The farewell dinner that evening was also a really nice gesture from the faculty, with plenty of food and entertainment as well. The president of the university, and even Ying, sang traditional Shandong songs on a karaoke machine at dinner. I've never had such a musical dinner, and when we were told we should dance around the table in thanks, I have to say I didn't see that one coming.
The part of the trip in Jinan was really great, I feel that getting to know the other Chinese students and faculty of the school helped me to understand China. Without these personal interactions, I don't think that the trip would have been as strong and meaningful as it is.
When we said goodbye to the students they were all so sweet, I've never had people stand at the curb and wave us all goodbye like that. The farewell dinner that evening was also a really nice gesture from the faculty, with plenty of food and entertainment as well. The president of the university, and even Ying, sang traditional Shandong songs on a karaoke machine at dinner. I've never had such a musical dinner, and when we were told we should dance around the table in thanks, I have to say I didn't see that one coming.
The part of the trip in Jinan was really great, I feel that getting to know the other Chinese students and faculty of the school helped me to understand China. Without these personal interactions, I don't think that the trip would have been as strong and meaningful as it is.
9/9/07
For the first half of the day we were on campus preparing our exhibition spaces and finishing our projects for printing. I like the way Lee's and my space turned out, its clean and simple. Also, I was able to scan and print my individual watercolor projects, both from Shanghai and Jinan, and seeing these in a larger scale was exciting.
In the evening a few of us treated ourselves to some very inexpensive massages at the parlour accross from the dorms. I've never had a foot massage and I have to say it was worth every quai!
In the evening a few of us treated ourselves to some very inexpensive massages at the parlour accross from the dorms. I've never had a foot massage and I have to say it was worth every quai!
9/8/07
Today was a very, very long day on campus working on our projects. We arrived around 8am and didn't get back to our dorms until almost 11pm. However, much was accomplished and Lee and I finished our group projects. Lee was really great at working together and truly making our piece a collaborative effort. He made some great suggestions with the layout and color choices of my illustrations that I chose to take and I think our project is quite strong.
Communicating with Lee was difficult at times, but by the end of today we were able to express our ideas clearly to one another. This experience has shown me that one doesn't need words to connect with someone of a different culture. Hand gestures and visuals, like drawings, can go a long way. But, having an online translator on back up is never a bad idea.
Communicating with Lee was difficult at times, but by the end of today we were able to express our ideas clearly to one another. This experience has shown me that one doesn't need words to connect with someone of a different culture. Hand gestures and visuals, like drawings, can go a long way. But, having an online translator on back up is never a bad idea.
9/7/07
We spent the first half of the day on campus starting our projects and ours is off to a quick start. I really like Lee's photography and we chose to use one of his series that depicts blurry, noisy urban images. I plant to incorporate some digital illustrations on top of his photos that symbolize Chinese culture for me.
After leaving the campus we went to see a modern art exhibition that displayed different mediums, but mainly painting. There was one painting in particular that I enjoyed and it depicted a scene where a police man was writing tickets for a handful of girls. The girls in the painting were all sitting on a couch together and covering their faces in shame. The title of the piece was "Cracking Down on Prostitution," which slightly shocked me because I expected the piece to be making a deeper comment on the tradition of shame and losing face in Chinese culture.
After leaving the campus we went to see a modern art exhibition that displayed different mediums, but mainly painting. There was one painting in particular that I enjoyed and it depicted a scene where a police man was writing tickets for a handful of girls. The girls in the painting were all sitting on a couch together and covering their faces in shame. The title of the piece was "Cracking Down on Prostitution," which slightly shocked me because I expected the piece to be making a deeper comment on the tradition of shame and losing face in Chinese culture.
9/6/07
Today on campus we paired up with our Chinese partners. Everyone was really nervous about just picking someone out of a crowd or how well we would all work together coming from different mediums. My partner is Lee, a Senior digital photographer who is very friendly and doesn't seem to stop smiling. His sense of humor is quirky, so we get along well.
9/5/07
I opted for a free day today and was able to walk around the neighborhood and see some local sites. A few of the Chinese students met us and together we went to the mountainous park behind the dorms to walk the trails and see the gigantic golden Buddha statue. Around the Buddha is a large, open courtyard where people can buy ice cream, rent roller skates and just cruise around. For me, it doesn't get much better than golden Buddhas, roller skates, and a popsicle.
For lunch Katie, Drew, Joel and I wanted some "american" food so we hailed a cab to Pizza Hut. Here, Pizza Hut is somewhat "classy". It was a decent, but weird, lunch.
For lunch Katie, Drew, Joel and I wanted some "american" food so we hailed a cab to Pizza Hut. Here, Pizza Hut is somewhat "classy". It was a decent, but weird, lunch.
9/4/07
I know that the sites are very sacred for the Chinese so visiting Confuscious' Temple and Burial grounds were a huge honor. I enjoyed seeing the sprawling mansions that have hosted China's emperors for thousands of years. I found it very interesting that men and women, especially the servants, were kept in separate living quarters.
My favorite part of the day, however, was going up the cable car to Mount Tai. Until this visit, I always felt surrounded by so many people and buildings It was nice to be above it all and gain some perspective. The view was beautiful and the small village was quaint, all in all, a perfect trip.
My favorite part of the day, however, was going up the cable car to Mount Tai. Until this visit, I always felt surrounded by so many people and buildings It was nice to be above it all and gain some perspective. The view was beautiful and the small village was quaint, all in all, a perfect trip.
9/3/07
Today we met the Chinese students and toured around their new campus outside of Jinan. It was quite an intimidating experience being that they are expecting so much from our collaborative projects and exhibition. The exquisite corpse drawing project felt like a performance piece of sorts, with everyone watching and video taping.
The buffet dinner tonight was interesting due to all of the "gambes" that went on. Chugging your glass and then holding it over your head to prove that you've finished is something I've only seen in China!
The buffet dinner tonight was interesting due to all of the "gambes" that went on. Chugging your glass and then holding it over your head to prove that you've finished is something I've only seen in China!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
9/2/07
We arrived in Jinan this morning to a warm welcome, banners and all. The Art and Desgin School of Jinan showed us around their Spring City and took us to a very fancy dinner at the Shark King Hotel. I've never seen a lazy susan that could serve alomost 40 people, the efforts our hosts went to were very flattering and appreciated.
9/1/07
Our last day in Shanghai was a free day, so Katie and I had a long, leisurely breakfast. After, we decided to check out the local shopping scene in the nearby streets and ended up getting $5 pedicures. It's odd how all the garbage from the shops in Shanghai is just dumped on the street. The women at the store bagged our foot bath water, carried it outside, and left it, no problem. Lovely day.
After our last dinner at a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant, we rushed to the train station, barely escaping death, to make our 10pm train to Jinan. The bunk bed sleeper room was a little dingy, but all in all, trains are pretty fun.
After our last dinner at a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant, we rushed to the train station, barely escaping death, to make our 10pm train to Jinan. The bunk bed sleeper room was a little dingy, but all in all, trains are pretty fun.
8/31/07
I started out the morning of this free day by going to a street in a nearby neighborhood that had many art supply stores. This was really my first experience buying something completely on my own. I bought some bamboo paper, watercolor paint, and ink for my individual project in Shanghai.
Later in the evening, Katie and I locked ourselves in our room, rearranged the furniture, and had studio time. I was really inspired by the street culture in China and the common place activities that occur in the open. I chose to illustrate a scene I had come upon, many times actually, where people hang their laundry to dry on power lines, due to lack of space.
Later in the evening, Katie and I locked ourselves in our room, rearranged the furniture, and had studio time. I was really inspired by the street culture in China and the common place activities that occur in the open. I chose to illustrate a scene I had come upon, many times actually, where people hang their laundry to dry on power lines, due to lack of space.
8/30/07
We visited a water village called Wuzhen about 2 1/2 hours outside of Shanghai to get a taste of more rural, traditional China. The village was quite picturesque and serene, with all of the houses opening up onto a small river. One specialty in this town are the sister in law cakes that are made on site but were traditionally by made the sister in law of a family. They are delicous. The cakes are more like a sweet powder patted together, but they come in unique flavors like rose and sesame.
In this water village I also learned that people here stare freely at you. It's very honest, I like it and I'm becoming more comfortable staring back.
In this water village I also learned that people here stare freely at you. It's very honest, I like it and I'm becoming more comfortable staring back.
8/29/07
Today we went to the Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Art Museum. The first represented the history of China and it was interesting to contrast the folk art and historical relics against contemporary, modern art in China. The large ink and brush paintings done in traditional style at the art museum were beautiful, full of movement and splashes of color that balanced the pieces well. I was also very drawn to a section of work that depicted the female figure with loose, abstract brush strokes and vibrant pink ink.
Later in the day we went to visit the galleries of contemporary artists in Shanghai in the art district. For me, the highlight of this day was visiting the studio of Wenda Gu, a well-known Chinese artist whose conceptual pieces often focus on identity and Chinese culture. Gu spoke of his upbringing in communist China during the 1970s and 80s and how his earlier years have shaped and affected his works. I've read personal memoirs from published authors of their lives during the Mao era, but I found it fascinating to hear someone speak openly about the once tumultuous times and their eventual departure from China.
Later in the day we went to visit the galleries of contemporary artists in Shanghai in the art district. For me, the highlight of this day was visiting the studio of Wenda Gu, a well-known Chinese artist whose conceptual pieces often focus on identity and Chinese culture. Gu spoke of his upbringing in communist China during the 1970s and 80s and how his earlier years have shaped and affected his works. I've read personal memoirs from published authors of their lives during the Mao era, but I found it fascinating to hear someone speak openly about the once tumultuous times and their eventual departure from China.
8/28/07
The flight to China was long, but not as long as I had expected, coming to just under 12 hours. The first day, browsing a shopping district in Shanghai, was quite overwhelming and exciting all at once. I got the impression that life in Shanghai is pretty hectic, like in any big city. People here don't seem to wait in lines, use sidewalks, or ever think that the bus has reached it's capacity.
For the first time, I feel like a total tourist, taking pictures everywhere, even missing the signs that say "no pictures" in holy temples. Hearing a language that is not my own is becoming more comfortable, no longer alienating, although I still remain blatantly foreign.
For the first time, I feel like a total tourist, taking pictures everywhere, even missing the signs that say "no pictures" in holy temples. Hearing a language that is not my own is becoming more comfortable, no longer alienating, although I still remain blatantly foreign.
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