|
 Our Philosophy begins with a sound approach to understanding composition. By teaching students fundamental concepts and elements like balance, depth, variety, perspective, value line and unity, they will begin to understand the process and components that go towards creating a strong work of art.
Students learn the importance of creating a "center of interest" and how it relates to the other areas of their picture plane. How do we captivate and hold the viewer's attention by using contrast, while establishing unity throughout the composition?
Don't underestimate a child's ability to understand the fundamentals. These fundamental concepts are usually taught at a higher level of learning. We believe the sooner a student understands the basic fundamental concepts, the more prepared they will be to take one more challenging artistic ideas later in life, with greater execution and more satisfying results.
Along with understanding composition, our goal over time is for our students to begin to develop a style that will later distinguish himself or herself from other artist. The sooner a student begins the greater chance this will happen at an earlier age. |
|
 The goal of this class is to study major developments in the history of Chinese calligraphy from the Shang through the Tang dynasties. In addition to examining the works of individual calligraphers, we will attempt to understand how the history of calligraphy has been written, both in China and in the West, how calligraphy conveys meaning, and why it has been valued above all other arts in China.
About Chinese Calligraphy
Chinese calligraphy (Brush calligraphy) is an art unique to Asian cultures. Shu (calligraphy), Hua (painting), Qin (a string musical instrument), and Qi (a strategic board game) are the four basic skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati.
Regarded as the most abstract and sublime form of art in Chinese culture, "Shu Fa" (calligraphy) is often thought to be most revealing of one's personality... Read more... |
|
 The roots of Chinese paintings can be traced back to paintings on Neolithic pottery six or seven thousand years ago. Since similar tools and lines were used for the earliest painting and writing, painting is said to have the same origin as Chinese calligraphy. Thus, Chinese paintings usually integrate poetry or Chinese calligraphy with themes that include figures, landscapes, flowers, birds and other animals. Traditional Chinese painting remains a highly valued genre, often on exhibit in China as well as other countries. The contemporary art world in China is also very active. Some Chinese artists have become adept at Western-style painting, both oil and watercolor. Many Chinese painters have created works that combine traditional Chinese painting techniques with those of the West, enhancing both forms. The China Art Gallery and other art galleries hold individual or joint art exhibitions year in year out. Art expositions are held each year in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
|
|
 As Winston S. Churchill famously said, “The Empire of the future will be the empire of the mind.” In the days before CNN and Fox News, a still image truly was worth a thousand words and these posters were how Mao and his group informed and restored the collective mind of the Chinese people.
Posters were designed to not only meet the demand of the government but to also be embraced by the masses. In striving to achieve these works, many artists reached deep inside themselves, producing extraordinary poster designs perfectly capturing the indomitable nature of the human spirit, the transformational power of unbridled industriousness, and the soaring spirit of the people’s optimism. Even considered among works of fine art a large number of these posters will prove of exceptional quality and forever hold significance in the history of Chinese art.
Definition of Propaganda
While in the Western world the word propaganda bears negative connotations, the Chinese word "xuanchuan" , which is liberally translated as propaganda, actually means to broadcast or to spread (information), with no negative connotations that would imply bias or untruthfulness. This explains why many English speakers would consider the use of such a term as an outright acknowledgment of the biased nature of Chinese propaganda, although the term can in fact be used in politically neutral contexts. For example, Chinese "propaganda" has also served to raise public awareness about the law, the need for common courtesy, the importance of embracing science and technology, the need to take preventive measures against the SARS disease, and the dangers of the AIDS disease.
See some examples of propaganda posters
Ballet Soldier
Mao Riding
Down with Japan and Germany
Red Drums
Liberate Taiwan
Red Horse, Black Horse |
|
|
|
|
|
