The Art of Creation

November 18, 2009 Grace Ma Social Studies 11 1/60

The Art of CreationThe Art of Creation

By Grace MaBy Grace Ma


Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Table of Contents Prologue Part A—Where Do We Come

From? I. Three Artists from the Past

The City of Paris Discord on Horseback Fish Tank in the Room

Contextual Investigations II. Rendezvous in History Part B—Who Are We? Part C—Where Are We Going? Part D—And Me? Epilogue AppendixCredits


ProloguePrologue

This story is set in an unmarked corner of the universe: a radioactive particle, million times smaller than a grain of sand, is emitted from an unknown source and begins dashing into the outer space at full speed. It doesn’t know where it is going—it just travels forward, in a straight line. The further it goes, the faster it accelerates. This little particle is us—our civilization, our world.


Just like a beam of radiation forever darting forward, the human race is on a journey of unparalleled progress. Automobile, airplane, antibiotics, rocket into the space, computers and nuclear weapons are all examples of how much advance humans have made in the past two centuries. However, as we are progressing in an ever-quickening pace, nobody can foresee exactly what our future beholds. Similarly, when we look back at the past, no one has the answer to how life as we know now had emerged….


… These two margins to our understanding and knowledge of ourselves and the world are what professionals from past to present had been striving to extend. Throughout the history of human civilization, scientists, philosophers, sociologists, anthropologists, literati and artists have all been exploring the core of being and deciphering the future of the human race.


“Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?” is the title of a painting by French painter Paul Gaugin. The creation of this masterpiece revealed new dimensions of the riddle of our existence as human beings. The original and astonishing inquiries combined with the powerful image demand that we recognize the core of our beings by reflecting upon our past, putting our current situation into context, and forging an outlook into the future….


… Here, I want to use the topic of art to explore the core of my being. Gaugin’s principle of art had made me ponder my existence in front of his artwork, and I would use the principle that artworks have the power to transform ideas of creators into a scope to the future to trace a timeline from past, present to future. Before this journey begins, I want to bring up my three questions:


Why do humans need art?Why do humans need art?

What is the relationship What is the relationship between art, artists and the between art, artists and the

society?society?

How do artists use art to How do artists use art to communicate with the communicate with the

society?society?


The first step to unravel the riddle of existence is to reflect on the past. By investigating the interaction between artists and the society, we can discover how ideas are generated under social circumstances and evolve into artists’ original interpretation of their era. This was evident in early 20th century Paris, where unprecedented progress catalyzed a booming epoch of creativity, bringing lasting and profound changes to the face of the society.


PART A—WHERE DO WE PART A—WHERE DO WE COME FROM?COME FROM?


Paris in the dawn of the 20th century was on the race towards an unpredictable but exhilarating future. New records thrilled the society one after the other: France’s first subway station opened in 1990, pilot Bleroit flew across the English Channel, painter Picasso revolutionized esthetics with “The Young Ladies of Avignon”, poet Apollinaire brought forth new philosophies of life, and, to the glory of all Parisians, engineer Gustav Eiffel erected the majestic Eiffel Tower….

I. Three Artists from the PastI. Three Artists from the Past


… Artists and intellectuals from all around the world poured into the city in awe of the monumental achievements. Paris became the focus of the world as well as the heartland where ideas were generated and exchanged. The open environment cultivated a diversity of innovative artistic languages as artists sought to display the maximum of their creativity. Robert and Sonia Delaunay used vibrant colors to cheer for their beloved city. Henri Rousseau immersed himself in Paris’ tropical plant house dreaming of a utopia of jungles. Henri Matisse escaped the commotion of the city in search for an idealistic sanctuary for him and his soul….


… Although the subjects and content of their works were very different from each other, all three artists were successful in bearing witness to their era and present the aspects of the society they were familiar with.


Robert Delaunay:Robert Delaunay:

““The City of Paris”The City of Paris”


In 1912, Robert Delaunay completed the painting “The City of Paris”. The image is a kaleidoscope of colors that dance energetically on the canvas, like the boundless energy of Paris at the time. The blocks of colors break through the visual illusion in a world ruled by perspectives and present to us a more realistic view of the world. In his work, we see a world with many sides, angles, and facets. This is the characteristic of Cubism. The vibrant light of the city seems to portray the prospect and optimism in the Paris society….


…In the centre of the painting, the Three Graces celebrate an abundant Parisian life, symbolizing that “spring” is to befall the city, in reference to a painting entitled “Spring” by Botticelli. Around the Three Graces are landmarks of Paris—the Eiffel Tower and the river Seine. There is a feeling of perpetual motion in the panorama. For Delaunay, art is not just techniques, but reinvention of the reality.


Henri Rousseau:Henri Rousseau:

““Discord on Horseback”Discord on Horseback”(also “War”)(also “War”)


Throughout his artistic career, Rousseau firmly held on to the jungle themes in his paintings. Interestingly, Rousseau had never experienced real tropical jungles—he assembled them from the plants in the city’s tropical greenhouse. Sometimes, Rousseau would incorporate his observations of the society into his jungles, which might include the ideas he “stole” off the images that were published in magazines and newspapers. Such was the case with “Discord on Horseback”, which bears great resemblance with an illustration for a serial novel….


…A wild, black horse carrying an angry girl tramps through a deserted, miserable landscape, leaving behind a field full of corpses. The dead trees, red clouds and crows pecking at the bodies add to the bloodcurdling atmosphere. It is a sincere portrayal of discord that prompts the viewers to reflect upon the brutal reality of war. Living in the mainstream society, Rousseau is capable of combining his jungle dreamland with his experience of the real world.


Henri Matisse:Henri Matisse:

““Fish Tank in the Room”Fish Tank in the Room”


The outbreak of World War One in 1914 sent a shockwave through the intellectual society of Paris. With the threat of German invasion looming, young artists put down their paintbrushes to risk their lives on the front line. Some older artists struggled to keep painting in spite of the fear and turmoil that were consuming the society, hoping to testify this story of blood….


…December that year, Matisse expressed his view of the world through “Fish Tank in the Room”: no guns, no rubbles, no deformed and dying soldiers, no blood, just a simple, everyday setting inside a peaceful room with a fish tank by the open window. How could Matisse produce such a serene image in a time of turbulence? Actually, this is the idealistic world Matisse had pursued all though his life: a home of peace and salvation for the soul. The items in the picture—the open window, art studio and goldfish—alleviate the pressure off people’s minds. The stable lines and tones of the colors construct the calming atmosphere of the world in Matisse’s mind. Although it was time of war, the scenery outside the window is equally as peaceful—even the procession of carriages shows no sign of hurry or chaos.


… Here are links to Contextual Investigations on the 3 artists and artworks from the past:

Robert Delaunay.docHenri Rousseau.docHenri Matisse.doc


After experiencing the creative journeys of the artists from the past, one cannot help but wonder: what is the connection between modern artists and our society, and what is their prospect of future? On Wednesday November 11, 2009, I had the pleasure to acquaint and interview an accomplished artist and art writer Mr. Brian Grison, who graciously shared his view of the essence of art and artists’ interaction with the society. Please see the link below for our interview, with original responses from Mr. Grison:

Interview with Brian Grison.doc

II. Rendezvous in HistoryII. Rendezvous in History


PART B—WHO ARE WE?PART B—WHO ARE WE?


Having witnessed the fruits of the past, it is time to recollect my own experiences to find out just what type of person I am and what values I behold. I was born in a bustling city of Taiwan to a family that had served as officials in Emperor Qian Long’s palace during the Qing dynasty of China. In 1949 right after WWII and just before the Cultural Revolution, the Ma’s moved to Taiwan. As a very young child, I immersed myself in books and music. My scholarly and loving parents greatly encouraged my curiosity. At age four, I began playing the piano and composing (on the piano). Music became the element of joy in my life ever since.


Although I seemed to be born outgoing, my sensitive personality played a decisive role in shaping my interaction with the outside world. As I was growing up, I discovered that the image I present to others was veering far from my inner self. I’ve lost the ability to freely express myself, and I’ve been trying to turn off my sensibility whenever I interact with the outside world. I became a solitary person. Over the years, I have been striving to revive my sensibility and inject it into my creative life. A positive factor is that the Canadian environment is providing me with a more desirable place to do so than if I had stayed in Taiwan all my life.


The trip from Taiwan to Canada when I was 11 was a turning point in my life. My parents and I decided to leave the homeland that we all loved. In Canada, I can make my body stronger in the open space and fresh air, and I will not have to combat the social split caused by Taiwan’s political factors. Also in Canada, I can meet people from hundreds of ethnic backgrounds. However, coming to a new country meant tremendous challenges, from mastering the language to adjusting to a new culture. Fortunately, the supportive environment in Shoreline Middle School in my first two months at a Canadian school left me a wonderful impression of Canada.


After the fleeting two months had past, my parents and I moved into a more “permanent” home close to Cedar Hill Middle School and Mount Doug Secondary. I left Shoreline in tears, but I was also aware of what the moving meant for me: I must once again adjust to a new environment and carry on with a stable course of learning. At about the same time, I resumed regular music classes at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Thinking back now, if I were to show my 11 year old self my achievements up to date and ask her how she feels, there’s no doubt that she’d be very pleased and relieved.


I have always pondered, as an immigrant in a strange land, what is the value of life? Do I know who I am? Do I know what I’m doing? Do I know what I’m going to become? Recalling when I was little, a quote by Leonardo da Vinci struck me:


““Life is limited, but knowledge is noLife is limited, but knowledge is not. Only the continual pursuit of knot. Only the continual pursuit of knowledge would keep us from wastinwledge would keep us from wasting something so valuable as our liveg something so valuable as our live

s.” s.”


Me, I find great joy in learning, especially in Canada where my time is more flexible, allowing me to explore knowledge to my heart content. I am now standing on the landmark of the present, reflecting upon the path I’ve walked for the last 16 years and looking ahead into the future. I am trying to sketch a clear portrait that expresses what I’ve learned, what I’ve concluded from my learning, and what I’m inspired to do. It’s like creating a unique piece of artwork; it is to become an imperishable symbol of the society, providing the people yet to come with materials that will prompt endless imaginations, inspiration and exploration.


PART C—WHERE ARE WE PART C—WHERE ARE WE GOING?GOING?


Although my short-term goal is to finish my studies at university, my long-term goal is to lead a life like “a unique piece of artwork”—a life that has a purpose within my context. I can use what I’ve learned over the years to paint a life that characterizes who I am and fulfills my passion and my strengths….


…As I become more independent and more involved with the society, there will be the need for me to improve my interpersonal skills and adjust my solitary personality. I will need to regain the ability to freely express myself. I am hopeful of such prospect, especially when I see it working hand in hand with my continuation with music, which will certainly remain as an integral part of my life. Although I cannot foresee where the fruits of my endeavour will ultimately end up, I, like Mr. Grison, shall just keep on fulfilling my dreams and my life, which is certainly too valuable to be wasted!


While concerning about my own future, it is impossible to ignore the trends of my country and the world as they are the key factors that influence my context. In terms of Canada as a nation, I behold an optimistic outlook for its future on the global stage. With the threat of climate change looming over the world, Canada is in a favourable position for its vast storage of natural resources and Canadian people’s awareness in protecting these resources….


…As global warming makes Canada more habitable, future Canadians will be able to take advantage of such situation as well as all the existing resources to lead a better quality life. In addition, our value for human rights, freedom, equality and democracy as well as recognition of ethnic diversity will sure contribute to the stability of the Canadian society in a time of crisis. The environmental factors on top of the social merits of Canadian communities are likely to forge an optimistic future for Canada and its inhabitants.


In terms of the prospect of the entire world, there are likely to be fundamental changes to social and political structures as information technology is becoming faster and more widespread than ever. As a result of the speed and availability of instant communication, people are less and less likely to congregate in one place. Instead, small social circles are being formed in the cyberspace….


…Gradually, this interconnected network will see the diminishing of significance of political boundaries as rules can be made more unanimously and service provided more conveniently within the small social circles. It is also likely that there will be the rise in internationally-based agencies whose service is accessible anywhere in the world. As different communities began to develop their own identities, we will also see an increase in diversity amongst various neighbourhoods. Hence, the ever-rising speed in communication will push towards a global trend of smaller social circles and potentially the break-down of large social divisions such as nations.


Although the world is faced with the unpredictable disasters of climate change, humans should still be hopeful in forging an era of relative peace through the consciousness that has been gained from experience. By cooperating, we will be able to solve the problems and build towards a stable, prosperous future as crisis becomes history….


…Furthermore, with the combined force of technological improvement and environmental awareness, we are also capable of transforming the world into a more suitable place to live than ever before. As a teenager faced with the challenges and prospect of a new era, I am far from being afraid. By taking what I’ve learned and what I’m dreaming of, I am confident that I will be able to create a unique piece of artwork out of my life.


PART D—AND ME?PART D—AND ME?

——a creation of my portraita creation of my portrait


My Artwork:My Artwork:


The course of history is just like the flow of a river. This is a river in which I am trying to find a position and create an image that explains who I am. The legacy of those who came before me—from knowledge to technology, culture, social structure and legal system—allows me to have a foothold in the present and prompts me to reflect upon my being. The experiences with our civilization in the part of history that I can witness let me comprehend how the course of this river might unfold in the future. Life is just like a continuous relay of inheritance and pioneering.


With this imagery of the river of history, I decided to approach my portrait by first getting an understanding of how successful artists had illustrated their context. I investigated three artists who all lived and worked in the early 20th century in Paris: Robert Delaunay, Henri Rousseau, and Henri Matisse. Although they were all from the same society in the same time period, the three artists each developed very different artistic languages in the open environment of Paris at the time. This is the evidence of how social context can be translated into personal context, which is then expressed through the creation of artworks. The ideas that were carried through in the artists’ works had inspired various aspects of my artwork:


I. DelaunayI. Delaunay

Delaunay’s works are characterized by contrasting tones of colors that not only serve as the structure of his paintings but also deliver a feeling of motion in his works. In addition, his use of Cubist techniques gives our eyes a view beyond the illusion of perspectives and achieves a more realistic view of the world by showing the multiple angles, sides and faces of the object all at once. These principles inspired me to pay attention to my choice of colors and use an assembly of real-life objects to represent the aspects of my context….


…A key to Delaunay’s work is his magical use of white, which plays the role as the “light” in his image. By highlighting certain areas on the canvas, white helps to focus the kaleidoscope of colours in Delanay’s painting while also creating rhythm and energy. On my part, I used white silk to highlight the river of history. A white, soaring dove represents hope and my belief in honesty, peace and righteousness. The white ribbon of which the dove bears is decorated with blooming flowers, representing the joy and honour in life. The candle that illuminates my inner world on the inside of the black wall is also inspired by the brightness and energy in Delaunay’s works.


II. RousseauII. Rousseau

If Rousseau were born in our time, he might have become an avid environmentalist. Throughout his artistic career, Rousseau, who greatly valued the connection with the natural world, firmly insisted upon using jungle themes in his paintings. Similar to Rousseau, I am passionate about nature. One of my philosophies is that humans are a part of nature. I chose natural materials to represent the presence of human beings throughout the course of history. The rocks and the dried fruits represent the people from the past, whereas the fresh beans and matches represent the people yet to come....


…Although the matches aren’t really “natural”, the energy they harbour makes them a suitable choice to represent the potential of future generations of people. The potted plant in the middle marks my presence in the present, representing my vitality and formation into a developed entity.


III. MatisseIII. Matisse

Matisse’s artistic career can be described as his pursuit for an idealistic sanctuary. Although he lived through the war-torn era of early and mid 1900s, he seemed to not have been swallowed by the chaos, horror and turbulence of the time, but instead maintained his peaceful and serene inner self which he delivered through his artworks. Matisse’s character prompted me to show the two sides of myself in the display: my inner self in the inside of the cardboard wall, and my outer self in the outside of the cardboard wall.


On the inside, the black wall represents the dark corner where the shy and solitary me would retreat to. The candle’s light allows me to reflect upon myself. The heat of the candle is the power that had kept me going for the 16 years of my life. The coloured granules are the negative elements of my personality such as indecisiveness, confusion, sadness, stubbornness, envy, prejudice and greed. Sometimes, these granules hide in the maze inside the seashells and are not seen. By reflecting upon my actions and conscience regularly, I want to be able of eventually condense and settle of the granules over time.


On the outside, a yellow wall represents a bright, energetic and sun-lit world. It is adorned with my own paintings and music scores. While music and art is a way for me to communicate with others, the outer wall demonstrates my longing to interact with society and to be understood by others.


EpilogueEpilogue

As the exploration of my core of being is drawing to a close, I want to revisit the three questions I brought up when we began:


As human beings, we are all born with the ability to adapt and survive. Such ability is closely associated with the potential to create, which is best expressed through art. From the prehistoric past to the civilized present, art is an integral part of the lives of human beings. For the artists, artworks express their creative power and aesthetics. For the society, artworks demonstrate its various aspects and also facilitate the communication between artists and the society. For the era, artworks act as the witness of the time period in which they are created.

Why do humans need art?Why do humans need art?


Many artists would reflect the society’s influence in their artworks in addition to their creative powers. With the resulting artwork as a vehicle, artists are able communicate their ideas with the society regardless of the constraints of space or time.

What is the relationship What is the relationship between art, artists and the between art, artists and the

society?society?


The experiences in life as well as discipline and accomplishments are usually important factors in the creation of artworks and the development of artistic languages. Social circumstances, such as fads, criticism, economy and politics, also affect the aspects of artworks. While artists are influenced by the society, artists reflect these influences in the artworks, provoking response from the society.

How do artists use art to How do artists use art to communicate with the communicate with the

society?society?


Throughout the journey, I have investigated the artistic languages of past artists, recollected my own experiences to clarify my context, explored the possibilities of the future, and created an artwork that explains “me”. With what I’ve learned during this time period, a new page is being added to the record of my life….


…Although this occasion of learning and exploring has become a memory, you and me can still flip open this page any time in the future and commune with my ideas. If this is a place with much gravity, there will be millions or even trillions of radioactive particles congregating here and producing light. You may be able to see this star shining in the night sky. You can point at it and say: “CREATE.”“CREATE.”


AppendixAppendix

Please see the link below for the personal journey of the author:

My Personal Context Chart.doc


CreditsCredits

Contents written by Grace Ma.

Powerpoint produced by Grace Ma, transcribed from the original papers in August 2010.

Original music performed and recorded by Grace Ma.

Artwork (see background picture) created and photographed by Grace Ma.

Special thanks to Brian Grison for the responses to the interview.

Entertainment & Humor

The Art of Creation