19/1/2013 Fotanian Open Studios 2013

Actually, this is my first time to visit art studio in Hong Kong. I am always learnt that there are many art studios in old industrial areas, but I have never been to visit due to my laziness and embarrassment. However, this course “Exploring Contemporary Art” and this gallery “Fotanian Open Studios 2013” give me a chance to start my way.

 

The first studio has not disappointed me. On the way to Wah Luen Industrial Centre and Wah Lok industrial Centre, my classmate and I decide to go Studio √49 immediately due to its name with a tick in front of. Luckily, when we arrived, the main artist LAW Ka-nam was staying to answer visitors’ question.

 

At the very beginning, I was attracted by this two artworks. They were just like printed work. However, the drawer told us that he only used a pen to draw it by putting so many dots together. Sometimes he needed to draw lots of dot on the same area in order to show layers out. Therefore, at least three months is required to finish one piece of artwork.

You may find interesting that where the ideas come from. We did ask and he answered “no”. The artist LAW commented that he just daydreamed and drew the artworks according to his hand. Then, an interesting artwork would come out. How marvelous it is!

 

 

Then, my friend and I started to walk floor by floor. When I entered a new studio, it shocked me. These artworks were so big and attention-getting that I could directly notice them when came in. My friend said that they were scary, but no any negative emotion popped up in my mind, even that I thought those babies were so cute with suitable lighting added. Although they were in grey, they gave a colourful imagination for me to review.

 

Although I went to this gallery before Song Dong’s one, I wrote this reflection later then. It is because I have such long paragraph about my first time of gallery visit to talk. This gallery is totally different with 365 Calendar. Saying the truth, I like this much more than the other one since I can visit lots of local artist, especially Hong Kong artist. They draw more about Hong Kong contemporary news with diverse style so that I can feel indebted and interested. For example, the paper model with lots of texts written on and the painting with red-white-blue plastic bag aim to satirize the education system and welfare system in Hong Kong. What a wonderful gallery visit!

 

Finally, I can take a look by myself but not watching through the television.

Graphic artist : MARUMIYAN

MARUMIYAN (Ryosuke Mori森亮 介), a Japanese graphic artist , designer and illustrator, who works based in Fukuoka, his homeland. He is good at using digital creation. He specializes in the design of CDs, magazines and other related areas, which are quite appreciated by Japanese recently.

MARUMIYAN adepts at combining Japanese painting and street painting. Not only with bold and bright colors, but the pictures are also full of complexity and rhythm. One special characteristic of MARUMIYAN is that all his works are produced while listening to music. Therefore, his works are particularly suitable for merging pop music fashion.

In MARUMIYAN’s works, lots of flowers, birds, butterflies, wings and other elements can be seen everywhere with layers of stemming the screen ration. A superb logic, drawing technique and aesthetic basis are required to do so. The most well-known piece is AFFECTATION which is the CD cover of DJ Okawari.

For me, the first time I saw MARUMIYAN’s work is KIRIN’s bag. As I mentioned in the last blog, I like colorful items, just what MARUMIYAN presents. Although MARUMIYAN screens numerous complex subjects into one picture, there is an order of rhythm; although colors are bright and avant-garde, matching has never been forgotten. When you has first glance, you may feel too messy and fancy; but when you look closer, you will get admiration for his master details and screen configuration since every subject has their own meaning and design.

In order to understand and promote his artwork and ideas more, I would like to choose him to be the artist studied in the "exploring contemporary art" course.

2/2/2013 Song Dong: 365 CALENDAR

It is a pleasure that I have chance to enjoy the gallery “Song Dong: 365 CALENDARS”. When I first entered the venue, I was shocked since calendars with black and white on were all around. “It must be very boring” that is what I thought at that time since I like colourful artworks more than that in black and white only. However, actual result is not. The “content” of those artwork is wonderful.
 

 

365 CALERDARS seems a giant diary or schedule of Song Dong. It starts at 1978 which he started to notice ART and ends at 2013 which is all blank in order to present the sense of changes. In the following paragraphs, I would like to talk about few pictures which give me inspiration or enjoyment.
 

 

Firstly, the month of Song Dong’s 18-years-old birthday is the most impressed picture. I am sensitive with this magic number since now I am 18 years old, same as Song Dong at that time. Song Dong has used lots of blank space so as to break the word “18 years old” out. This gives me a sense of imagination – what I should add onto the blank spaces in the future. But with reading the words, I think what Song Dong actually wants to present is the freedom of being adult. Finally he does not need to use parents’ money to keep his living. What a big start!
 

 

Secondly, actually this gallery is not only a giant diary of Song Dong, but also a brief summary of China and worldwide development. In the later part of Song Dong’s work, more and more impressive news are drawn. This may be because of the growth of Song Dong making him to notice more on other fields. This scene is remarkable for all Chinese, including young Song Dong at that time. He uses the most direct method to present this incident – he was an audience and watched the television to witness the boy who was brave enough to stop in front of tanks and prevent them going forward to hurt the university students. Also, from the small size of television monitor, which is pressed by planks and miscellaneous articles, it tells the feelings of Song Dong – angry, sad and oppressive. Everything is directly presented so that I do not need to read his words in order to understand his work. That is marvelous.

 

 

 

Still, colourful pictures are more attractive to me although the black and white work is excellent in drawing skills and conceptions. The organization has invited 432 people (no age, nationality or occupation restriction) to paint or redesign Song Dong’s calendars. All of them drew at the same time and at the same place before the gallery started. This is only two of the artwork which include newness and entertainment. I like them so much although it may not be drawing by a real artist.

 

At the end, I got a postcard which is same as the cover photo. Song Dong uses the end of civilization as the theme of this gallery. However, I think Song Dong has the same thought with me – being positive to the future. Therefore, this picture is just to emphasize the difference of calendars in different regions in order to explain “the end of civilization”.

 

This gallery will definitely become one part of my memory. Perhaps I should start my mini calendar from now on!