RRJ#4

Reading Reaction Journal #4

Reference

Smithers, R. (2011, June 20). Art clubs target talented children. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved on June 21, 2011, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jun/20/saturday-art-clubs-disadvantaged-children

Summary

This article is mainly talking about that some art clubs that recruit students who have talent in art, and train them to create new artworks. For example, Hafizullah Karim, a 14-year-old boy, painted the color picture. Many people do not believe that the nice picture was painted by a 14-year-old boy. Hafizullah Karim has much art talent, and he always joins the art clubs to study. In the clubs, he has learned many different media, such as clay, graphics and watercolours. He loves art, and he likes to do his work for art. He has earned benefits from the teachers who are teaching in the clubs. Similarly, there are many other students who benefit from the clubs’ training. Also, the governmen supports this program, and the volunteer teachers would like to teach in clubs even though they are in break time. Currently, there are an increasing number of students who attend these clubs, and the art industry booms again.

Reaction

After reading this article, I find that it touches my heart. I really like this article, for I have the similar experience. My major is art, and I have studied painting since I was a 6-year-old. At that time, my mother sent me to the art training school just for a hobby. She wanted me to have a skill, such as many other girls who could play instruments and dance. At the beginning, I did not want to go to that school because it had class on every weekend, and it took up all of my free time. However, when I began to study, I found that I loved painting. It gave me many enjoyable times; like the article says, students can learn many different ways of doing art in the clubs. I learned sketch, crayon, watercolor, Chinese painting and so on, and I have benefited from these studies. For instance, when I feel down, I can paint some nice pictures to release. Also I can make cards or do handcrafts for my parents and friends on some special festivals. To sum up, whether its art training schools or Saturday art clubs, they all pay attention to inspire disadvantaged children or someone who really wants to have a good skill. The teachers focus on creativity of children; it truly promotes the development of the art industry.

RRJ#3

Reading Reaction Journal #3

Reference

Barron, R. (2011, June 14). Nanaimo has history of investing in public artwork. The Daily News canada.com. Retrieved on June 14, 2011, from http://www.canada.com/Nanaimo+history+investing+public+artwork/4942356/story.html

Summary

　This article is mainly talking about the murals on buildings in the city of Nanaimo. The purpose of creating so many murals on the walls has two directions. The first one is to control graffiti in this city, and it has controlled for 20 years. However, the city planner said that as a kind of  “ generally respect” , their murals do not often cover all of the graffiti. On the other hand, the second way is to create a communicating spirit in the city. The artists often associate the murals with natural things, such as ocean and sky. Also the murals can be found anywhere like subway, park, community, bathroom etc.. The murals give the citizens a very enjoyable atmosphere; children are interested in these murals. To sum up, the murals’ appearance is to improve the city’s environment and protect artwork in this special way.

Rcaction

　Through reading this article, I feel that I appreciate these murals very much. I believe that if someone visits a city in which can be found many buildings with murals, he/she will be surprised and enjoy those. I deem that the colorful things often bring people a good mood, and people can feel relaxed in the colorful friendly city. The murals are a kind of symbol and attitude of a city. I remember when I was in China, I found a painting wall outside an art school. Those patterns were created by the art college students. Whenever people walk past the wall, they often talk about and enjoy these beautiful paintings. I believe that colorful artwork can give people a comfortable atmosphere; even though they do not really understand art, they still appreciate it. Also the murals are not only painted outside in some public places, but also can be found indoors. It is a new fashion of interior decoration art. The artists paint them on the walls, especially the wall behind TV. The murals look really beautiful in people’s homes. I remember that when I went past some fire hydrants on compus, I found that there were many colorful paintings on them. At that time, I really want to paint such a fire hydrants, too. Also, after the teacher’s edification, I think I can paint some nice and fashionable graphics on CESL’s wall. Just by my hand. I believe that the nice pictures will attract more students to come to CESL. As an art student, I hope I can create more different ways to share and protect artwork outdoors and indoors. 

RRJ#2

Reading Reaction Journal #2

Reference

Littlejohn, D. ( 2011, June 7). Island Art, and All That Comes With It. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on June 7, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704495004576264961416465694.html

Summary

This article is mainly talking about a variety of art forms in Bali island, Indonesia. As the island is becoming one of the most popular tourist place in the world, an increasing number of visitors are traveling and enjoying the special art atmosphere in Bali island. In this beautiful area, a great many art works are shown, and most of their inspiration comes from local people’s daily lives. Someone who is born, gets married, has good health, designs a new house and died, all of these things can be shown by an art ritual performance. Also the tools of performance are the art works such as painted masks and immobile shadow puppets. The most amazing art work is carving. The statuaries and buildings with colorful painting are extremely attractive under the sun, and they have an old mythic background to attract people visiting their spectacular art works. In this island, all arts come with it.

Reaction

After reading this article, I feel that inspiration fills my heart. I soon learn that art comes from nature, and we can find it anywhere. According to this article, art is in people’s lives and it can be shown in many different forms. I totally agree with that. I live in Carbondale, and I go to Schnucks by walking every weekend. Whenever I walk past a wooden house, I have been attracted by a small garden, which is full of small statuaries. They are lovely pigs, short temples, smooth bridge etc., and I often see the owner of this garden working hard with a smile on his face. I believe that he creates these amazing things for his wife and children, and the inspiration of them comes from his memorable happy life. I think that this is art. It doesn’t need professional skill to describe, and it is completely natural. In China, there are many art works from people’s lives, too. Some are paper-cut or knit, and show people’s mood and explain what people want to say. Since my major is art design, I not only want to create something by academic method, but also want to absorb inspiration from my real life. I want to design amazing things that people like and want. I hope my art works can make everyone feeling warm in their hearts because of love.

RRJ#1

Reading Reaction Journal #1

Reference

Lau, J. H-C. (2011, May 25). Hong Kong Art Fair Reaches Out Into the World.  The New York Times. Retrieved on May 27, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/arts/26iht-Hkartfair26.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Hong%20Kong%20Art&st=cse

Summary

This article is mainly talking about a majestic art fair held in Hong Kong  in 2011. Since 2008, an increasing number of people have paid more attention to this exhibition. This art fair has not only successfully seized the attention of many visitors, but obtained support from sponsors as well. Many famous artists including some gallery owners took part in this activity because a great number of novel works and a few rarities would be showed in this art fair. They brought a variety of items such as abstract pictures, interesting paintings, golden watches, peculiar antiques and expensive jewelries, hopefully, to seize some visitors’ eye. During the art fair, many art professionals took their own work with them and showed the work in the process to boost their popularity; some works were about movies, body art, and even a painting of Buddha. This art fair also had successfully caught many foreigners from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Latin, Brazil, etc. This was a really successful art fair.

Reaction

Since my major is art design, I often pay attention on the trend of art product markets because it is an appreciation of the art works which have been designed by great designers. I obtain much important information in this article, for a successful and large art fair held in Hong Kong, China. It means that the art firmament of China has a higher status than before, and a growing number of artists and art works of Asians have been approved in the world. As many precious art works showed on the art fair, I know that people want to appreciate more unbelievable products in their lives. The major of art design is famous in SIU, so I want to join it, in order to learn more design skills and create better art products for people. I find that the reaction and practice of art are a little bit different between Western people and Asian people. For example, I visited my American friend last Sunday. When entering her home, I found that there were many handcrafts anywhere. Through asking her, I know that it was her hobby during her free time. Then I asked her why she did not buy a cute handcraft in the mall directly. Finally, she answered me she liked the process in which she made the handcraft; it took her much enjoyable time. In China, more youth would like to watch and buy the things that they want. Only a few people make something that they like by themselves. For instance, on Mother’s Day, children often buy flowers and cakes for their mothers in China; however, children would like to make a little design on something for their mothers in the U.S.. I hope I can be a good designer in the future. I wish that people will love my design products, and use them for family and for love, and I wish that people will have more inspiration through appreciating my art works.