An exhibition on Ms.Hadley's class

The sheet

The sheet

The smaller Lao Zi

Lao Zi and me

On December 4th, we went to see an exhibition in Ms.Hadley's class. In the afternoon, we went in groups of four to take a taxi to Nanjing University and met at the statue cow at 12:50 pm. The exhibition was called The creating of spirit--the exhibition of statues made by Wu Weishan, the famous artist who was honored with the Pangolin Prize. However, not all the works of art were by him. A few of them were made by his teacher, Xiong Bingming. He really respected his teacher, so he used his teacher's artworks as a part of his exhibition. I thought this exhibition was contemporary, because all the products gave me a feeling like a new style.
My favourite artwork was a big statue of the great philosopher called Lao Zi which was made in 2002. It was tall, almost 3 to 4 metres. The old man closed his eyes peacefully and had a natural smile on his face, as if he could see all of the world in his mind. His beard was very long. It seems that long beard is common to Lao Zi, like other great men in my memory. He stand his index finger of his left hand and spread out his right hand. Inside the sculpture was empty. It was a large space and could fit half a dozen people. The inside of Lao Zi was caved with classics of morals, a well-known article written by Lao Zi. This article show how to behave correctly in life and how to be a real man. It is still saved at present. The lines of it were mostly straight, and made Lao Zi looks higher. This sculpture felt smooth, because it is made of copper.
The artist gave the artwork another name called “the gathering of god and human”. Lao Zi was such a man. He could see the world without his eyes. He read the earth, everything with his heart. He could know anything, because he could feel. The large sculpture looks like a giant standing between the sky and the ground. The index finger that he set upright means the whole world and the other hand was showing he was friendly and modest. Wu Weishan made it empty in order to explain Lao Zi’s idea of his life. Lao Zi told that people should be gentle in treating others. A person can do anything if he knows how to go forgive others’ faults. Empty means that your mind can contain everything, even the world. The wide mind of Lao Zi reminds me of the sea which has no end and holds a lot. I think the artist wants to tell that the more things you can fit, the more things can be done.

I like this artwork. The old man has an natural smile and can create a feeling of harmony and satisfaction. Also because it was empty, it did not let me feel too unclear of crowded. So, it has space and looks powerful in this way. If other people see it, they maybe feel the same way. If the sculpture is too full, this artwork will be probably boring.

Dinner with grade 12 mentors

Kelly and me

I'm eating

Menu and me

Cover of the menu

On December 20th, 2008, I went to have a dinner with the grade 12 students and most of my classmates. We decided to go to Taco, on western restaurant on Zhujiang Road. At about 17:40, most of us gathered at the restaurant. I heard that this restaurant was not bad and had varies of food to choose, so I agreed to come here to enjoyed this dinner which was different from the ones I ever had.
The waiter gave me menu. Later, I ordered a set of pasta and a cup of latte ice. Though pizza seemed cheaper, I just wanted to have something new, for pizza was too usual in China. From many magazines I knew that pasta was famous and was a good choice.
The restaurant had a good environment. It was clean and not very crowed. The air was fresh, for it was on the third floor and was well ventilated. I enjoyed the service here. Most of the people here were for parties or were couples.
However, I was disappointed with the meal. The latte ice was just so-so, but the pasta was awful. It had much oil and made me felt not good. I thought it similar with the noodles which were popular in China with soy and I did not enjoy it. I swore that I would not have it nor recommend it to others once more. I thought I will come here an other time to have something which was different from Chinese food to know more about western culture except pasta.

GUEST ARTIST

On Monday, Dec.1st, we visited a famous artist who is an expert at garden design and has designed many well-known gardens and he told us something about the culture of gardens.
At first, he introduced himself. His name is Zhao Bing. At the beginning Professor Zhao showed us some of classical Chinese Gardens. He explained that the word "garden" came from Latin: Gan and Eden, means wall and place for fun. A garden should contain walls, different lands, wells and trees. There is definition for garden is: a living place with beautiful design which based on plants, hills and stone, and water. In the east culture, gardens are divided in two parts. One is for keeping the beasts while the other one is for royal. However, in the west, they are holy forest. Here are some kinds of garden: royal gardens which for the imperial, private gardens which for one or a little group of people, religious gardens which for one religion and the rest for beautiful view. The most classical ones are Suzhou garden. These gardens are considered as an old city with forest. It's obviously different between a city and a primitive forest. The peace in the crowed and create a special feeling as if we are in the wonderland.
The gardens also can bring people a feeling of being back to the history. Many old style things can be found there, and make you feel as if you are in the Tang Dynasty. Zhao also said that a number of poems in Tang and Song Dynasty were written in the gardens.
Here is something special about old classical Chinese Garden, like Suzhou Garden. Every garden must contain hills, water, and stones. Hills just look like one integrated mass. They are designed and put correctly and seems created by nature. They have many gradations and some of them seem will fall down at any moment. Water is also very important. It should be put in the right place and looks natural. Designers gave them meaning and make them alive. Some people are interested in the strange stones. They are tall and straight but light can pass through it by any directions, and seem that they may change their appearance.
Professor told us a lot about the garden design. It is a really amazing project. However, I am not very interested in it. I don't like Chinese style gardens, for they look old and quiet and make me feel boring. Nevertheless, I also would like to see them if possible.