Isamu Nocughi
05.03.2013 § Leave a Comment
During the New Year’s holiday, I visited the Smart Museum at Chicago University. There was a small sculpture by Isamu Noguchi entitled Iron Wash, a classic Noguchi piece which made me feel as if I were meeting up with an old friend.
Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was one of the twentieth century’s most important and critically acclaimed sculptors. He is my role model for artistry. His work, at once subtle and bold, traditional and modern, has lyrical and emotional expressiveness with an aura of mystery.
I have visited his museum in Long Island City, bought books about him and read about his life. The knowledge that such a great artist once existed is an ecstasy that brings tears to my eyes. « Read the rest of this entry »
The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts
07.09.2012 § 1 Comment
Work of Tadao Ando, St. Louis
These are pictures I took of the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts. I made the trip specifically to see the work of architect Andao Ando, an amazing Japanese architect. He had been working as a truck driver and boxer prior to settling on the profession of architecture. Despite having no formal training in the field, he established his own design studio in 1968, Tadao Ando Architect and Associates.
Tadao Ando’s architecture emphasizes nothingness to represent the beauty of simplicity. His work is known for its creative use of natural light and is mostly constructed with concrete, simple geometric forms creating complex space. Ando’s architecture is the manifestation of his understanding of Zen or Haiku.
Inviting, textural concrete walls enclose a narrow space, yet it opens so powerfully with the soft reflection of the water.
Fuji Mountain
04.05.2012 § 2 Comments
Journey to Japan
This spring’s trip to Japan reminds me of my first trip to Italy in 1992. I called it “The Grand Tour”– a term referring to the tradition of 18 century European artists who could not consider their art educations complete until they had make a trip to Italy. I prepared for this trip to Japan for over a year and a half, and never have I put so much time into preparing for a journey to a foreign country. I am not sure if being able to ask for directions on the street or in a busy subway paid off for all of the time I put into studying the language, but I certainly was happy that I could be free and independent.
Dear X:
14.02.2012 § Leave a Comment
You are heart broken so I send you a song to sooth your pain. This is belated and maybe you are not sad anymore, if so, then … oh, yes, it is Valentine’s Day, Happy Valentine’s Day.
“I Wish You Love” sung by five singers:
Story of Diary Notebooks
20.01.2012 § Leave a Comment
It is hard to love art but only one kind of art. So it is hard for me to just put efforts into one type or form or media. My major was oil painting and print making but I spent a lot of time on other types of visual arts such as calligraphy. I like the everyday objects that we use, see, handle to be beautiful, love to read beautiful handwriting, and therefore love practicing to make my own handwriting beautiful. (Consider as an example the handwriting of a scientist in the 16th century, the respected Galileo Galilei. Click for image.) « Read the rest of this entry »
Alexander McQueen ~ 4 of 5
30.08.2011 § Leave a Comment
Widows of Culloden
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| Dress, Windows of Culloden Autumn/Winter 2006-7 ivory silk organza and tulle |
Maple and Koi
28.04.2011 § Leave a Comment
Remembering “Maple Fall”
Last autumn was long. Usually Chicago has about two weeks of spring or fall before summer or winter starts. Last autumn was long enough for the maple leaves to turn brilliantly red. I planted a few maple trees in my yard years ago but failed; they turn yellow instead of red. Luckily, there are some beautiful maple trees in my neighborhood to enjoy. I used to stop and stare at the luminous orange leaves for a long time in the alley on my way home. « Read the rest of this entry »
Snow Flakes
01.03.2011 § Leave a Comment
About ten inches of snow at least. The car windows were frosted solid, I had to scrape very hard to get it off. Every window is frosted; I spent quite some time to scrap each window, enough for me to notice many different shapes of snow flake flowers, how beautiful! Why do we complain about the snow? It is such a blessing to get to see things created by nature!
Song of Rose ~ 2
24.12.2010 § Leave a Comment
part 2 : there is beauty in withered flowers…
I remember going for extra lessons of drawing at one of our renowned professor’s private studio during college. Private lesson students shared the same studio with him. He’d always have a vase of roses on the still life table. « Read the rest of this entry »
Song of Rose ~ 1
23.12.2010 § Leave a Comment
part 1 : The roses bloomed beautifully…
A flower is a luxury. Although I can afford it, I feel guilty indulging myself with impractical things when there are people starving. The color of these roses stopped me at Cotsco when we were hauling food for the holiday party, “but this is holiday season,” so I bought a bunch of pink roses, a bunch of white roses, and some green chrysanthemums. « Read the rest of this entry »
