Labyrinth

Labyrinth
[http://adsoftheworld.com/files/
images/skodaLabyrinth.jpg]

Labyrinth is a complicated series of paths, which it is difficult to find your way through. In Greek mythology, Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by Daedalus. The function of it is to hold the mythical creature, Minotaur. [Labyrinth, Wikipedia]

Theseus Minotaur Ramey Tuileries
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/
9/9b/Theseus_Minotaur_Ramey_Tuileries.jpg]

Generally, Labyrinth also known as maze. There are many Labyrinth in the ancient times which have functions of their own. Modern Labyrinth involves in architecture and entertainment. The idea of Labyrinth had influence the designs of buildings as well. For example the Labyrinth on floor of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and Labyrinth on the Chartres Cathedral's floor.

Labyrinth on floor of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/f/f5/Labyrinth.JPG]

Labyrinth on the Chartres Cathedral's floor
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/
68/Labyrinth_at_Chartres_Cathedral.JPG]

The photos above shows that Christian's building in the ancient time have influence of the idea of Labyrinth. Besides that, Labyrinth also serve symbolism. Labyrinth has many cultural meanings during the ancient times. Prehistoric Labyrinth are known as traps for malevolent spirits. In medieval tines, Labyrinth symbolized a hard path to God and birth.

Some examples of Labyrinth as ideas in buildings, designs, games and movies.

Labyrinth in landscaping
[http://www.angelobell.com/wordpress/
wp-content/uploads/labyrinth3.jpg]

Labyrinth in the Pacman Game
[http://www.kawaiikakkoiisugoi.com/wp-content/
uploads/2011/03/pacman-screen.jpg]

Idea of Labyrinth in the Zuma Deluxe game
[http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/
678/678831/zuma-20060104035256588.jpg]

Labyrinth in the movie "Pan's Labyrinth" in 2006
[http://cf1.imgobject.com/backdrops/553/4be12ce4017a3c35b9000553/
el-laberinto-del-fauno-original.jpg]

Print Screen of Japanese Anime "Naruto Shippuden" from You Tube.
A closed Labyrinth as Orochimaru's lair.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UobwqYgCXrI]

Reference:

Labyrinth. (n.d.). Retrieved 24 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labyrinth

Kitsch

What I understand from the word "kitsch" is works of art and objects that are popular but they are considered to have no artistic value and tasteless. For example, the artworks are sentimental and as an creativity. Besides, kitsch also can be humorous and theatrical.

Kitsch is a concept that applied to artworks that response to the 19th century art with aesthetics. Aesthetics is a part of philosophy related to the nature of beauty, art, taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. [Aesthetics, Wikipedia] So, kitsch is a sentimental art.

After I studied kitsch, I looked around my desk and found a ruler holder which can be considered as kitsch. The ruler holder was made by me when I was 16. I got a cupboard tube from my neighbour, and I cut the tube about 7 inches. I used a marker pen and started to draw designs on it.

I was in a random mood when I drew the designs. There is no fix lines or patterns taken from references. I drew the designs with emotions and that is what made the object become a kitsch art, a sentimental art. I have captured the photos of my ruler holder in 4 different angle to show the overall design.

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

References:

Kitsch. (n.d.). Retrieved 22 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsch

Aesthetics. (n.d.). Retrieved 22 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics

Claude Monet - Water Lilies

Claude Monet
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/
Claude_Monet_1899_Nadar_crop.jpg]

Claude Monet is one of my favourite artist in the 19th century. His full name was Oscar Claude Monet. Monet was born on 14th November 1840. He was a founder of French impressionist painting and expert in study of people's perception towards nature. [Claude Monet, Wikipedia] One of his famous artwork, the Impression, Sunrise has brought a new painting style to the era which is impressionism.

Water Lilies is a series of around 250 oil paintings by Monet. The paintings captured Monet's flower garden at Giverny and focus mainly on his artistic production in his last thirty years in life. Many of the artworks were painted by Monet while he suffered from difficulties of eyesight, Cataracts.

In the paintings, short and thin brush strokes were used to quickly capture the the essence of the water lilies, and they are not much in details. The paintings are applied with impasto where riots of colours on the paintings can be observed. With all these techniques, the Water Lilies are considered as impressionism style.

By Wong Boon Pin

Claude Monet, Water Lilies, 1916
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/5/5d/Monet_Water_Lilies_1916.jpg]

When I was 13, I tried to paint one of the Water Lilies using poster colours. I found it a challenge to imitate the colours in the original painting which are applied freely and randomly. Today I discovered that Monet painted the Water Lilies with colours that he saw from the scene. What he called most of his paintings are "pochade", sketches. He gave the characteristic of impressionist painting in the Water Lilies by applying the techniques, colours and experimetal brush strokes. Although the Water Lilies are not in details, but it accurately shows the light effects of passage of time, created common and ordinary look of the water lilies, simple with many colours. Most importantly, the unusual visual angle of the painting lead a perception and experience to audiences, telling them what the painting is, Water Lilies.

I have found some audio files from the web which are from a promotion of an exhibition of Monet's Water Lilies. It describes the life of Claude Monet and his Water Lilies which are now display in places all over the world. So, check it out!

Introduction to the exhibition Monet's Water Lilies

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1870

Claude Monet. Water Lilies (single panel). 1914-26

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1873

Claude Monet. Water Lilies. 1914-26

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1875

Claude Monet. Water Lilies (triptych). 1914-26

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1876

History of Monet's Water Lilies

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1877

References: 

Claude Monet. (n.d.). Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Monet

Water Lilies. (n.d.). Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Lilies

Impressionism. (n.d.). Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressionism

Exhibition: Monet's Water Lilies. Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from: http://moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/963

Assignment 1

Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur
[http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/photos2/ta-0132-9b74-5f83/merdeka-square-kuala-lumpur-malaysia+1152_13015742598-tpfil02aw-6779.jpg]

The picture above shows the columns at the Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka). The columns are designed in corinthian order and influence by the Greek architecture design. The capital of the columns have four corners and are in geometric shapes. The corinthian style columns were used at the Temple of Bel in Palmyra, Syria during the ancient time.These columns at Merdaka Square were built in a pool of water. The part where the columns hold has an embedded water pump system where it enable water fall from the top to the pool. This creates a classical look on the design and symbolized the meaning of harmony.

Reference: Temple of Bel. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Bel

Putra Mosque
http://alfatihoun.edaama.org/Al%20Fatihoun/Galleries%20Files/Malaysia/
Malaysia%2003/images/Putra%20Mosque%20in%20Putra%20Jaya,%20Malaysia1.jpg

This is the Putra Mosque, the principle mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The mosque was built in 1997 and took 2 years to complete. The design of this mosque is using the doric columns where the pillars within the wall are equally distanced. The doric style column is the simplest and oldest of the classical order. The design of this mosque combine the doric columns with Malaysian culture and form a new building design. The mosque is a sacred place for praying and it was design with an idea from the Arabic countries where mosques are the significant buildings in the countries. The doric columns of this mosque create a repetition of shapes and form where it shows rhythm on the building.

Reference: Putra Mosque. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putra_Mosque

Sultan Abdul Samad Building
[http://www.richard-seaman.com/Travel/Malaysia/Peninsula/SultanAbdulSamadBuilding.jpg]

 The building shown in the photo above is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. The building is designed by A.C Norman and was built in 1894 to 1897. The building function as the office of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture of Malaysia. The building also used the doric order as the design of the columns. It is obviously showing the pillars on the outside of the building where it creates an tremendous look on the building. During the ancient time, the doric style columns were considered to be able to hold more weight. But when it apply on the building here, it shows the significant of the building to the city and the power and luxurious of the look as well.

Reference: Sultan Abdul Samad Building. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Abdul_Samad_Building

Golf Club in Sarawak
[http://www.kgswak.com/images/photos/photo2.jpg]

This building belongs to a Golf Club in Sarawak. As it is viewed, the design of the building is similar to the pyramid in Egypt. The architecture style of this building was influenced by the Egyptian culture. The building was built in a pyramid shape, where the lower part is exposed and the upper part is covered as roof. The lower part of the building has two floors where the stairs and inner part of the building can be seen from the outside. While the upper part of the building is covered with roof. The design of this building also shows a very stable and simple look.

The Sunway Pyramid
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Sunway_Pyramid_front.jpg]

The photo above shows the famous shopping and entertainment mall in Malaysia- The Sunway Pyramid. It is located in Petaling Jaya, the heart of Bandar Sunway. The design of the building is similar to the Pyramid of Khafre in Egypt. It is a large approach to the ancient Egypt culture. The rest of the building is embellished in monumental style, along with many Pharonic statuaries. The Pyramid of Khafre has a statue, The Great Sphix of Giza but this building here has a lion's statue (Standing guard) instead of a human. This particular design has shown the mysterious and vast mall in the city. It also attract people with its look and capture their first sight of on the building.

References:
Pyramid of Khafre. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2011, from Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_of_Khafre
The Great Sphix of Giza . (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Sphinx_of_Giza

Odyssey

Idealized portrayal of Homer
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Homer_British_Museum.jpg]

The Odyssey is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems. The poem is fundamental to the modern Western canon. The author of this poem is Homer who is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. The Odyssey came after the first poem, Iliad. It was probably composed near the end of 8th century BC.

Odysseus
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Head_Odysseus_MAR_Sperlonga.jpg]

The Odyssey is mainly about the story of a Greek hero, Odysseus. The poem mentioned his long journey to home following the fall of Troy. Ten years after the end of Trojan War, Odysseus has still not returned home. He was assumed to be dead. His son, Telemachus, sharing his absent father's house in Ithaca with his mother, Penelope and a crowd of 108 boisterous young men called "The Suitors". Telemachus persuade Penelope to marry one of the Suitors while he eat up his father's wealth.


The goddess Athena, protectress of Odysseus discussed the fate of Odysseus with Zeus. Athena disguised as Mentes, a Taphian cheiftain and urge Telemachus to search for his father. Athena then disguised as Telemachus at night and finds a ship and crew for the true Telemachus to search for his father. Telemachus departs and arrive Sparta and rides overland with Peisistratus to find Helen and Menelaus. After a long voyage by way of Egypt, on the Pharos island, the old sea god, Proteus told Menelaus that Odysseus was a captive of the nymph, Calypso on Ogygia island.

Odysseus overcomes by Demodocus's Song, by Francesco Hayez, 1813-15
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Francesco_Hayez_028.jpg]

Odysseus spent 7 years on Ogygia island. Calypso falls deeply in love with him and she was persuaded by the great-grandfather of Odysseus, the messenger god, Hermes to release him. Then Odysseus build a raft and given food, drinks and clothes by Calypso. When the enemy of Odysseus, Poseidon, god of the sea found out he is escaped, he wrecked the raft. Odysseus swims to the island of Scherie, naked and exhausted. He hides in a pile of leaves and fall asleep. He was awakened by Nausicaa the next morning. Odysseus ask her for help as he was told by Athena to do so in his dream. Odysseus is welcomed by Nausicaa's parents and remained for several days. He joins the pentathlon and listen to two poem performed by a blind singer, Demodocus. The first poen is "The Quarrel of Odysseus and Achilles" and the second is a tale of a love affair between two Olympian gods, Ares and Aphrodite. Odysseus then reveals his identity and tells his story of return from Troy.

Charles Gleyre, Odysseus, Nauticaa
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Odysseus_And_Nausica%C3%A4_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_13725.jpg]

Odysseus then meet a piratical raid in Ismaros in the land of Cicones. He and the twelve ships then meet a storm that drive them off. They visited the lethargic Lotus-Eaters, and two of the men receive fruits and caused them to forget their homecoming. They were captured by the Cyclops Polyphemus and try to escape by blinding him with a wooden stake. Odysseus foolishly told his identity and Polyphemus told his father, Poseidon. Poseidon then cursed him to wander the sea for ten years, and lost his crew.


After their escape, they stayed with Aeolus, the master of wind and he gave Odysseus a leather bag containing all king of wind except the west wind. The sailor foolishly opened the bag looking for gold while Odysseus was slept. Then all of the winds flew out and create a storm that drove them back to where they had come. The ships that entered the harbor of the Laestrygonians' island were destroyed by the cannibalistic Laestrygonians. Odysseus did not enter and he sailed on to visit the witch goddess, Circe. The men turned into swine after feed with cheese and wine. Hermes warned him about Circe and gave him a drug called moly which able him to resist Circe's magic. Circe then bargain with him. She agreed to change the men back into human form and possess of Odysseus's love for exchange.


They remain with Circe for a year. Finally, Circe guide them to cross the ocean and reached a harbor at the western edge of the world. Odysseus sacrificed to the death to summon the spirit of the old prophet, Tiresias. Tiresias was ask to advice how to appease the gods upon Odysseus's return home. He then meet the spirit of his own mother and return to the Circe's island. Circe then advice them the remaining stages of the journey.


Phaeacians, who are skilled mariners, agreed to help Odysseus return home. He was delivered at night while asleep. Athena disguised Odysseus as a beggar in order to learn how things stand in his household. Meanwhile, Telemachus sailed back from Sparta and he meet his father. They determine the that the suitors must be killed. Telemachus gets home first follow by Odysseus as a beggar. His son is beat up by a suitor named Antinous. Odysseus want to stop the fight but Antinous throws a chair on him and laugh. Odysseus then meet Penelope and tests her intentions.


Odysseus's identity was discovered by the housekeeper, Eurycleia. She tried to tell Penelope but Athena made Penelope cannot hear what she said, as Odysseus promised not to reveal his identity. The next day, Penelope maneuvers the Suitors into competing for her hand with an archery competition, using Odysseus's bow. Odysseus takes part alone. He then turns the arrow on the Suitors with the help of Athena, Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoteus the cowherd. He kills all the Suitors and hang twelve of the housemaids with the help of Telemachus who betrayed and slept with the suitors. The goatherd, Melanthius who had mocked and abused Odysseus also killed.


Finally, Odysseus reveal himself to Penelope and prove his identity. The next day he walk with Telemachus to the country farm. The citizen followed him and planning to avenge on the killing of the suitors, their sons. The goddess Athena intervenes and persuades both sides to give up the vendetta. As conclusion, Ithaca is at peace once more.


This literature was translated into modern languages around the world. It is more intended to be sung than read. The details of the ancient oral performance, and the story's conversion to a written work inspire continual debate among scholars. Besides, many modern and ancient scholars take the ending of this story as an inspiration for stories writing.


Source: Odyssey. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOYPBCYFOKA

Lascaux is the setting of a complex of caves in southwestern France. It may be the most beautiful Paleolithic painted cave in the world. The cave contains more than 1500 pictures of animals. All of the paintings are about 17,000 years old. The cave was discovered by four teenagers in 1940. Later, the paintings were damaged because of the carbon dioxide produced by visitors, so the cave was closed to public in order to preserve the art.

The Four Teenagers that discovered the cave.
[http://www.savelascaux.org/i/finding.group.jpg]

They have a dog with them when they found the cave.
[http://www.savelascaux.org/i/finding.boysdog.jpg]

There are many paintings in the cave which they can be group into human figures, animals, and abstract signs. Over 900 of the paintings can be identified as animals. There are also many geometric figures. There are animals such as equines, stags, bison, cattle, felines, bird, bear, rhinoceros and human.

The Great Hall of Bulls
[http://www.donsmaps.com/images7/lascauxmenagerie.jpg]

The most famous section of the cave is the "The Great Hall of Bulls". It contains paintings of bulls,equines and stags. The four black bulls in the paintings are the dominant figures among the 36 animals. One of the bulls were found to be the the largest animal in the cave art. Besides that, the bulls also appear to be in motion, like running.

The Crossed Bison
[http://www.donsmaps.com/images19/lascauxIMG_1096.jpg]

Another painting is "The Crossed Bison" which is also popular. It was found in a chamber call the Nave. The bison were drawn with crossed hind legs which create an illusion that one bison is closer to us than the other. This visual depth in the scene shows that the primitive form of perspective which was particularly advanced for the time.

The bison painted with crossed hind legs.
[http://www.american-buddha.com/lascauxnor.213.gif]

There were many visitors and researchers that entered the cave and unintentionally damaged the paintings. This had became a threat to the Lascaux. Besides that, the World War II also changed the environment of the cave. The presence of lightning and changes of air articulation also created problems for the preservation of the painting.

Sources:
Finding Lascaux. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2011, from http://www.savelascaux.org/Legacy_Finding.php

Lascaux . (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV0xrbvVAQw&feature=player_embedded

Ai Wei Wei

Ai WeiWei
[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyUibWBYuTg/TafELPAPv3I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/HXgzJc6fQ70/s1600/Ai-Weiwei-6.jpg]

Ai Wei Wei is a Chinese artist and political activist. He also involve actively in architecture, photography, film, curating, social and cultural criticism. Ai Wei Wei has a very interesting life. He done impressive works and held many exhibitions of his art works in many countries. He also received some awards as well.

Ai Wei Wei is the best artist since the Cultural Revolution in China. He smashed ancient vases, taken a thousand of Chinese citizen to a small town in Germany. Besides that, his support and made works about the Chinese's government to the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. Ai Wei Wei takes his career and works through attitude, rather than his own style.

Ai WeiWei and Sunflower Seeds
[http://mlkshk.com/r/2EWX]

One of a famous work of Ai Wei Wei is the "Sunflower Seeds". The ceramic seeds fill the space between the bridge and the end wall of Tate Modern's Turbine Hall. The seeds are made in a town call Jingdezhen where is 1000km from Beijing. There are 1600 people and more involved in this project which made this work produced a amazing result.The meanings are as multiple and singular as its form. There is a video in You Tube where it shows how the seeds are made. It was a great effort on the project. In the video, Ai Wei Wei stated that :" I always think art is a tool to set up new questions, to create a basic structure which can be open to possibilities, is the most interesting part of my work." This is a line which I think very meaningful and important for designers nowadays.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PueYywpkJW8)

Beijing National Stadium, "The Bird's Nest"
[http://www.creativeclass.com/creative_class/_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/birds-nest2.jpg]

Ai Wei Wei also contributed for his country as an artistic consultant of the Bird's Nest in Beijing. When he was asked why he would participate in the designing of the stadium, he replied :" I did it because I love Design." There is also a video where Ai Wei Wei explained the design of the stadium. He said that the appearance of a building and its function are both important and they're one thing which cannot be separated. "Beauty is part of function and vice versa." [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hddG7u1hlOU]

Sources:
Ai WeiWei. (n.d.). Retrieved July 9, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ai_Weiwei

Gurdian.co.uk. (n.d.). Retrieved July 9,2011, from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jan/26/ai-weiwei-sunflower-seeds-sothebys

Ai Weiwei: Olympic Bird's Nest & Beyond. (n.d.). Retrieved July 9, 2011, from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hddG7u1hlOU