9/15/07

I finished my project! Last night while we were out in the "bar" district in Beijing I started taking picture of the lights. The use of lights for everything is insane. They use them for pharmacies, bars, KTVs, grocery stores, pretty much anytype of business warrants a neon sign. I didn't use my flash so they came out all blurry and kind of starting looking interesting so I kept taking them, waving my camera around in the middle of the street trying to get the best colors and angles. I'm sure I looked ridiculious. But they turned out well I think, it would be nice to install them larger on an entire wall. There is a lot of color and motion in each of them and both of those things remind me of China.



I'm sad to see everyone go. I think the group has been a pretty dynamic, and diverse group. We've had a lot of fun and laughed a lot. It's been a great and very successful experience.

9/14/07

The day at the Temple of Heaven was ... unfortunate. I wasn't expecting the weather to be like this and stupidly didn't pack anything warm and my umbrella leaked. It was a little miserable. I'm disapointed. I would have like to have spent more time there and really wandered but I was freezing. I did really enjoy the visuals of the circle vs square. It is a very intriguing concept. I wish I could have seen it from up above to get a better look at it.

I worked on my project today. I'm not solid on my concept, it seems a little wishy washy. I feel as if I haven't really gotten to know Beijing as well as the other cities we have been at and so I might do an overall responinsive piece.

9/13/07

It was a little hard to really get a sense for the Forbidden city with the mass amounts of tourists and I would have like to have explored inside the buildings more. I still enjoyed the architecture and the colors. The exhibits about the weaponry and armor were very intriguing. Everything is so detailed, even the canisters for there gun powder had small enamel peace signs on them... (which is a little ironic). After the forbidden city we went to the electronic store to get more memory cards. I can't believe that people put up with that, it was so overwhelming and frustrating, people yelling at you to get you to buy stuff. I need a nap.

9/12/07

So we woke up to the sunrise on the Great Wall today. It was gorgeous. It was kind of hazy today, but still very beautiful. The hike kicked my ass, but I loved it. I'm glad I could take my time and enjoy it. The 798 was intense. I like it more than the one in Shanghai because it seemed a bit more up beat. I love the terracotta porcelin warriors painted with various designs. I also liked Konoki Mikuo's work, the large watercolor paintings of various bazaar everyday items. It's so surreal that you can find something like that in a developing country. Not that China isn't full of rich culture (which it is), but it was very... Pearl District. I wasn't expecting that.

9/11/07

The train was nice today, I got a little rest. After the exhibition I've been really tired. I enjoyed going to CAFA. The campus is amazing, I'm sure they would have totally worked me if we did our project with them. The difference in academic philosophy between the East and the West is so vast. Education is not to be taken lightly. Also art is so much more valued here than in the US. Going to school for art is usually viewed as less than desirable.

I loved camping on the Great Wall. I don't think many people can say they've done that. We played cards and goofed around.

9/10/07

We met with the President today. I didn't know we were such a big deal. The exhibition wen twell. there were way more people there than I thought. I got a bit man handled by my partner when he was saying goodbye, it was a little awkward. The dinner was CRAZY! The president is academic royalty, it was a little bazaar, but entertaining. I didn't see that coming. Overall I've enjoyed my expereince here, I'm flattered by the hospotality and I have thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience.

9/9/07

So today was a wrap up day; printing etc. It was a little stressful, people were kind of freaked out. I think everyone is just a bit axious and tired. Hopefully the exhibit will be a success.