Sanyu(1901 - 1966), an early 20th-century Chinese artist, is a master in using fluent lines to display concise expressions. Brush lines are the main techniques to paint in traditional Chinese art. He can manage lines in a way that would startle patrons of Chinese oil paintings. Sanyu learned art in China and in Japan in his early years. Then in 1920, when he was 19, he went to Paris, which was a prominent art center at the time, to study art, and subsequently spent the rest of his life in Pairs besides a two-year residence in New York. However, Sanyu was an art student out of the norm. He spent much time in reading literature at café, playing music, and strolling on the streets of Paris. In the 1930s, Sanyu was one of the few artists from the East who drew attention in the art circles of Paris. The subjects of Sanyu’s paintings mostly surround flowers, nudes, and animals. Now let’s get an intimate look at the way he uses lines in oils.
Sushi, kimonos, geisha, robots, and Mount Fuji may makes you think of Japan. Once you arrive in Japan, you will probably be surprised by the popularity of myriad manga (Japanese comics) and kawaii (Japanese for "cute") fashion around the country. These pop culture trends deeply influence Japanese commercial activities, and even daily life in that society. For instance, you might easily catch a glimpse of younger people as well as the elderly reading manga in the metro, or you might find yourself gazing at Japanese dressing in kawaii clothing.
The cultural atmosphere impels Takashi Murakami (1962- ), an internationally renowned Japanese contemporary artist, to create many art pieces about otaku culture. Otaku refers to a person who is addicted to anime and manga fandoms. And this kind of artworks made Takashi Murakami world-famous.Let’s see his “cute” artworks first.
壽司、和服、藝妓、機器人、富士山讓人聯想哪個國家？ 日本! 的確，一旦有機會抵達日本，你會驚訝四處充滿漫畫和卡哇伊流行，這樣的文化早已深深影響日本當地的商業活動和日常生活。舉例來說，走在路上會瞥見穿著可愛打扮的男女，地鐵裡的青少年和老年人都在讀漫畫，商店販售大量卡哇依商品。種種獨特的文化風格，促使日本當代藝術家村上隆（1962 - ），創作關於御宅族文化的藝術作品，並使村上隆躍上世界的舞台，大放異彩。一起來看看這些「可愛」的作品。 御宅族：沉迷動畫和漫畫的人 And then and then and then and then
Mr.DOB
Tan Tan Bo Puking
Time bokan-pink
Miss Ko2
Flower Ball
Kaikai Kiki
Planet 66
Jellyfish Eyes
Jellyfish Eyes- Max and Simon in the Strange Forest
Super Nova
Eco Eco Rangers Earth Force
In 2003, he cooperated with the fashion brand Louis Vuition.
2003年，村上隆與時尚品牌路易威登合作
Eye Love Superflat
Take a look at an anime ”Superflat Monogran Cartoon”.
P.S. The term Superflat, an art movement founded by Takashi Murakami, refers to the sense of emptiness in Japanese popular culture and art, as nowadays Japanese like cute things lacking substance.
Here are his art pieces displayed at the Palace of Versailles, France, in 2010.
2010年，村上隆的作品展示於法國凡爾賽宮
Image from Takashi Murakami and Château de Versailles
Have you ever tasted Tofu? If so, do you know who invented it? Although Tofu is one of the most common foods in Asia and shared by many cultures, it actually originated more than 2,000 years ago in China. In the attempt to make the elixir of immortality, ancient Chinese people used the wrong formula and voila! Tofu was born. The primary ingredient in tofu is soy beans, which are extremely good source of protein for a healthy diet. Next time you are in an Asian restaurant, give it a go!
What do sponges remind you of? Scrubbing? How about using sponges to create your own artwork? French artist Yves Klein (1928-1962) made many sponge sculptures, and the sponges were impregnated with blue pigment during the process. 海綿會讓你聯想到什麼？ 試過把海綿做成藝術品嗎？
法國藝術家伊夫•克萊因(1928-1962)把海綿變成雕塑。
Yves Klein and blue sponges
伊夫•克萊因和藍海綿雕塑
This blue pigment is named International Klein Blue (IKB).
Fish balls actually are common and popular food in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and so on. Yet a Singaporean designer Jason Goh created an interesting chair called Moyee Chair, inspired by childhood memories. Jason Goh said, "I had a habit of playing with my food when I was young, especially the fish balls." His grandmother used to tell him, "If you keep messing with them, the fish balls will turn into a big hairy monster and eat you up." 你可能吃過魚丸(魚旦)，但你有坐過魚丸椅子嗎？ 新加坡設計師Jason Goh製造一個有趣的魚丸怪物椅，靈感來自於童年的回憶：因為小時候愛玩食物，祖母說魚丸會變成怪物把他吃掉。
Fish balls
魚丸/魚旦
Image from 21food
Here is Jason's comics depicting his childhood memories of fish ball. 魚丸椅的漫畫故事
Then, take a look at the funny chair "Moyee". 魚丸怪物椅
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