Confucius Killer

The Nostalgic Lighting in the Arcades -- Architectural Critique

2012-02-29T17:02:00.003-08:00

The Nostalgic Lighting inthe Arcades

------ A critique about Adelaide Arcadeand Gays Arcade

The AdelaideArcade and the adjoining Gays Arcade, built in 1885, are situated off RundleMall in Adelaide, and house over 100 speciality retail stores nowadays on theground floor and balcony level. As the shopping mall of the time, the Arcades took200 tradespeople around 6 months to build at the cost of 60,000 pounds.

Both Arcadeshave reflected the rational principle which form follows function, particularlyin term of its linear floor plans which allow both levels to carry out theirfunctions respectively. Serving as thecommercial center of the time, each of the shops consists of one retails storeon the ground floor with a workroom on the first floor where an indoorstaircase works as a passage to connect them. Although the space forcirculation has been narrowed down to the linear lobby, the general structureof this building remains its function as a shopping mall in addition to its structuralbeauty of mathematical order and harmonic proportion throughout the symmetricallayout.

The mostdistinctive feature of the Arcades is the classical style of both the dome and thefaçade. The imitation of Italianate Dome, derived from Florence Cathedral in1420, was introduced into the Adelaide Arcade by architects Withall & Wellsin 1885. Resting on the top of the building, the Italianate ribbed dome illustratesthe Renaissance enthusiasm for the beauty of geometry. Its inventor FilippoBrunelleschi advanced the structure of segmental vault into the dome, based onboth the Gothic style of stone vaulting and the doctrinal of Roman engineering,in which the beauty of structure is strengthened by the longitudinal ribs andthe latitudinal rings with the precisely designed proportion. Thisunprecedented proposal has not just placed Italy in the position of bothtechnical and aesthetic pioneer, but set an example for the successors suchas Withall and Wells to design the elegant façade of Adelaide Arcade.

Another unique beauty of the façade of Adelaide Arcaderelies on its Georgian aesthetics with a bit of Baroque touch. Those columns onthe façade indicate that the Georgian style, particularly the Palladian doors, morethan any other period of English historic architecture, is kind of simplifiedstyle of Greece and Rome which carried on the classical philosophy. Here, the Palladiandoors on the façade of Adelaide Arcade serve as the typical examples of the useof classical “orders” in Georgian Classicism. Besides, a reasonable amount ofattention was paid to the details on the façade decorated with Baroqueembellishment, whose influence was so potent to spread over the Europe around 17^thcentury and to rise together with European colonialism. The Baroque detailshere give the façade a bit of ornate and theatrical feel in addition to therigid sense created by the Georgian style. Such combination of differentarchitectural styles makes the façade of Adelaide Arcade a queen having boththe rational inner and the sensual appeal.

Wandering through the Adelaide Arcade, one can be trulyfascinated by the usage of both natural light and the artificial illumination.The soft diffused lights pour in from the skylights on the roof, together withthe electric light which used to be one of the first buildings in Adelaide touse electric lighting of the time, have generated the comfortable intensity ofillumination for all the wanders inside.

Besides, setting up on the balcony level of Gay’s Arcade,the Adelaide Arcade’s museum holds a series of historic items including oldnewspaper clippings, pictures and sketches which tell the story from years goneby. An accordion playing the official Adelaide Arcade Polka adds more charm andrhythm to this mini museum.

Like everyold building with distinctive features, this 126 years old Arcade is still ableto tell its story through many refined details. Despite all the remarkablemerits mentioned above, we can draw attention to the more dynamic aspect ofthese Arcades because at times the architecture can often reveal its characteristicswhen we see it in use. A close inspection in situ may help us to interpret abuilding through a dynamic process. Our one hour in situ observation startsfrom 3:30pm. During the peak time of afternoon-tea break, our first, also themajor, impression is the Adelaide Arcade is a convenient passage to connectRundle Mall and Grenfell Street. Except a few people chatting with friends inthe café and the old people walking around those boutiques, the pedestrians -- mostof them are business people--also take it as a free lounge.

Typical behaviorsof those pedestrians in the Arcade can be identified as:

· Wandering

· Chattingwith friends

· Sitting

· Reading

· Shopping/ window shopping

· Drinkingcoffee / having lunch

Althoughvisitors may be attracted by the beautiful façade and inner atmosphere, such anon-site observation raises a few questions as following:

1. What isthe identity of Adelaide Arcade?

2. With anyinherited identity, is this building supposed to be conservative orprogressive?

We candiscover one interesting fact that Adelaide Arcade used to be a veryprogressive architecture of the time. From the floor plan to the electric lighting, even the cast iron andplate glass, all indicate its radical character of the time. And the mostimportant fact is that it serves for commercial purpose from the first day as itwas not born to be a “heritage”. Adelaideand Gays Arcades are brilliant examples of the 1880’s boom period during whichRundle Street was transformed into a commercial precinct. In 1885, AdelaideArcade was a novelty, but year by year, yesterday’s novelty becomes historicalbuilding today that we talk about and endeavor to keep its original elements.

For anyhistorical building, the transformation from its function to its form could bea dilemma. However, as long as we realize that any heritage is transformed fromnovelty, thus we are able to change our cliché attitude; some meaningfulreforms could be made based on a few assumptions:

If the firstpriority of Adelaide Arcade continues to be the commercial purpose and themajor floor plan can’t be altered---although the nostalgic atmosphere is itsnatural by-product--- how to turn the random pedestrians into regular consumersin terms of any reform of the structure or the function? This question can beasked in another way: how to attract more new customers to Adelaide Arcadethrough its design and function?

To be morevibrant, which can be put forward as following, is one of the potential that wesee in the Arcades:

1. Theenclosed structure creates good acoustic effect, as it may become a great“container” to promote more indoor events which can be participated regularlyfor the citizens.

2. The longpassage on the ground floor can be transformed into the stage for regular fashionshow which will provide the Arcade with more rhythm as stimulate spontaneousshopping around those boutiques, etc.

3. The shopslocated on the balcony level may not be the ideal destination for randomshoppers unless any shopping activity in the Arcade is planned in advance.Turning those empty rooms into small theater room could be one of examples toattract targeted audiences who will also become the potential shoppers. Whenthe movie or the drama is over, those moviegoers come downstairs for relax, itwould be much easier for them to grab a coffee or buy a new-arrival.

4. Thecurrent entrance of the mini museum on the balcony level is situated in thecorner of the courtyard of Gay’s Arcade. If it is moved towards the mainpassage, that will attract more pedestrians to visit the museum.

Nevertheless,the Adelaide city council has managed to protect the Arcades as one of therenowned cultural heritages; the function of these two Arcades and the ideallocation still make them one of the most visited in the city center and one ofthe most comfortable to wander. However, as a 21st century Arcade, to retainmuch of its original flavor does not necessarily mean to keep it asfossil. The new challenge for AdelaideArcades would be how to blend contemporary environment in historic buildingwith the demands of introducing vibrant business operations to provide a 21^stcentury leisure environment. Being progressive, responding to current theme,they are the ways to be the testimony of our time and to be respected as“heritage” by future generation.

(This is a school assignment)

Reference:

Stevenson,N., 2007, Architecture Explained – theworld’s greatest buildings explored and explained. Revised ed. New York: DKpublishing.

Patricia, M., 2003, Adelaide Arcade cupola, http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1440&c=1932, viewed on 10 October, 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome , viewed on 08 October, 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_architecture , viewed on 08 October, 2011.

http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/baroque.htm , viewed on 08 October, 2011.

http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/georgian.htm , viewed on09 October, 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladian_architecture , viewed on 09October, 2011.

http://www.southaustralia.com/info.aspx?id=9006728 , viewed on 09October, 2011.

Be Open, Be Bold...

2011-10-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

(This article goes here is because theMayor of Adelaide does not want to receive any proposal from international student.So that would be my honor if this article can inspire any other Mayors in theworld.)

Where shall we live?

Many factorsmatter in this issue where we shall live and the authority defines the meaningof “most liveable city” as Economist.com has suggested. A great area, whateveryou call it a city, or even a village, does not rely on its size. However, wecan broaden the category of “most liveable city” of using examining whether ornot a city can help people to fulfill their dreams, or potential. If a cityhaving clean environment, peaceful atmosphere would mostly be suitable forelder people instead of providing opportunity to young workers, to what groupof audience it means “most liveable”?

Let us lookat some cities such as Adelaide, how many of us have been used to accept suchstereotype that this city is best for retired people? How many of us will agreeif you, as a young graduate or any aspiring workers, the best way to pursueyour career, particularly in the field of multimedia/animation/game/film, is tomove to other metropolitan area or even overseas? Very often these stereotypeshave been fixed in people’s mind as common sense, but isn’t there any potentialor possibilities to alter the image?

Or takePerth as another example, even spreading the benefits of mining boom in thefast lane around Perth, can such natural resource driven economy besustainable? Australia is not the only fortunate country given the resourcesthat it has for Asian Century, what if China’s economy slows down and what isthe price to trade the benefits in the long run with the immediate boom intoday’s economy?

BothAdelaide and Perth are on the list of “most liveable city”, what could be themost suitable economic backbone for such cities? Asking this question firstlyinvolves identifying what unlimited resources might be and how the governmentcan help to maximize the value of “unlimited resources”.

How to unleash potential ----Bureaucracy & Entrepreneurship?

Today theunlimited resources are people. Vital to an understanding of this issue is ideathat the prosperity of industrialized society is based on the civilization ofoil, described by Japanese author Taichi Sakaiya in his renowned book “Theknowledge-value revolution”, in a knowledge-based economy, human’s intelligenceitself is the resources which is undoubtedly sustainable. Any policy makerhaving such clear vision in mind will definitely see the potential for longterm development.

There areonly two types of government: Bureaucracy-oriented or Entrepreneur-oriented. Incontrast to America’s culture of boosting entrepreneurship, Australia’s culturecan be seen with more bureaucratic style….. Although today any talk aboutAmerica’s advantage might arouse complicated feeling, a Chinese might say,“Look, sooner or later, we will be the number one!”; an Australian will think,“Well, we are the only lucky bird to avoid the financial crisis!”.

JosephSchumpeter has considered the entrepreneur as innovators with the behavior ofcreative destruction which usually brings radical change to the business norms.Taichi Sakaiya, in his book “The Knowledge-value Revolution”, has alsosuggested that entrepreneurial traits will be much more needed in a societydriven by the knowledge-value rather than that in the old industrializedsociety.

However, weshould add that entrepreneurship is not just a matter of technologybreakthrough or creating blockbuster. In a world where the digital generationhas been fascinated by creative industry, entrepreneurship could be still athing of everyday life, of individual contribution, and it is exercised in thehome, in the workplace and, of course, in any place you intend to make it asyour “creative centre”. It could also mean turning a dead corner of our cityinto an amazing cafeteria with refreshing interior design…Walking around thecity, how many dead corners we can find? And how would we assess its potentialas a lovely shop?

What couldbe argued here is what kind of environmental influences on entrepreneurship canbe reinforced? According to psychologist’s viewpoint, our behaviour is based onlearning. In a relative conservative and closed environment, people rely on thesystem or the procedure rather than initiative; as a result, a rigid system ofbureaucracy is produced.

How amunicipal government boosts the entrepreneurial culture then spurs more smallbusiness in order to bring the vibrancy into local economy? Particularly insuch a gloomy depression, entrepreneurship in small business has its fatalmeaning. One can argue that purchasing power might not be strong enough, butthis is a question about how to provide consumer with engaging products orservices, not a question about whether or not the consumerism is dead. The marketer or the producer will always be insuch a challenge of how to create needs to satisfy human’s desire.

You belong to me? Or I belong to you?

Tofacilitate entrepreneurship, embracing competition will need to be stressedinstead of protectionism. Someone may argue that during such tough period, certainkind of protectionism is necessary to prevent people from unemployment.Nowadays, even America such an avant-garde has chosen to be introverted, nowonder other countries are not open. However, this is a world of globalization,which means buyers have wider choices to pay for the best and the resourceswill be allocated to the place where the best support can be offered. Both protectionism and patriotism will not beable to stimulate economy in the long run.

Speaking ofcompetition, let us take international student as an example. The conservativemay have a couple of reasons to defend that the strength of internationalstudent simply means the weakness of local people. However, a fair go given inthe competition will only stimulate everyone’s potential, not the opposite. Nomatter how hard the situation is, it will always be a life that all of us needto live for potential.

So, firstly,if the cake is too small, get more people to make a bigger cake. Given the higher education and lifeexperience, or perhaps plus previous working experience, international student issupposed to be the asset of any country which aims at building knowledge-basedsociety. Unlike those entrepreneurs in the industrialized world, today’sstudents graduate with certain skills which could be suitable for establishingown business starting from a relative low cost. They might not be the idealcandidates for medium or large size company; however, with certain preparation theycan have their own business. An entrepreneurship-oriented government isexpected to support them by issuing them temporary visa for creating their ownbusiness. A positive vision would be that they will be able to contribute tothe GDP of the country they are currently studying and living…

Secondly, ifno fresh idea rooted in a city, the city will always be stuffy. Ancestor’screativity had been best demonstrated in relation to heritage and traditionalculture, but if going along this track, people will naturally think in quitesimilar way. The Zeitgeist requires the development which includes themetabolism of ideas, concepts and different perspective. These are sitting inthe very core of the creative impulse and a city with tolerant and openattitude will reinforce such creative impulse.

Transforming abureaucratic society into a vivid school, not the opposite…

We are very easy to be bureaucratic rather than to becreative as long as no sufficient stimulation offered. That is not the fault ofany individual yet the only thing we can blame is the system, the system of ouroffice, city or even our country. Not too long ago, American is well known forits culture of “melting pot”, even in the period of austerity today, we canstill hear from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who emphasizes the relationsbetween the vitality of economy and the opening immigration policy.

As human being living on the earth, we are lucky to see thatso many countries are selling their dreams nowadays; we have American dream,Chinese dream, Australian dream, etc. Whatever the dream is all about, weassume it must be supported by a strong and sustainable economy, at least by astrong confidence.

After reading the complicated Australian policy about studentvisa, one can’t help to imagine what if the government hires a group of venturecapitalists to evaluate international student’s business plan rather than agroup of policy makers to turn away the graduate, who might be the tycoon inthe future in the land of Australia?

Australia is not the only country to promote its education topeople from emerging economy. But if the credits of an architecturalundergraduate from most of Australian Universities could not be recognized byAmerican Universities, what would be the applicant’s choice for their long termstudy plan if they want to further study in North America? In a transparent and open global society,competition will be fiercer than ever in every field.

Also, does the current booming of education industry affectthe society in positive way in the long run? A money-oriented university couldbe also a giant bureaucratic organization. Schooling is just a pathway to acareer whatever we will be hired or be self-employed or even hire someone else.It is definitely not the only way to develop oneself considering there are somany options such as self-teaching, online study, etc. If the policy makers arededicated to build up a society as an open learning environment, encouragingpeople to be self-motivated, there will be more opportunities created.

With so many young accounting overseas students unemployedbut probably holding a PR, one may query if the economic backbone of Australiais selling PR in addition to selling iron ore and degrees? But the imaginationand the ambition of a country is supposed to be far beyond that, the newchallenge for a government would be how to adopt a more open policy to turnoverseas graduates into local entrepreneurs who can create wealth for the wholesociety in which the only unlimited resources are just human being.

(END)

Reference:

Mr. Bloomberg: U.S. immigrationpolicy is national suicide.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57013.html

A Plaza for Everyone -- Architectural Criticism for the Southern Plaza

2011-10-09T04:34:00.000-07:00

proposed change

original look

This graphiccritique discusses the matter of revitalizing the Southern Plaza near Adelaide’sriverbank. By using a group of methods of architectural criticism, such assystematic, dynamic, evocative, etc., the author has tried to increase theawareness of how to redevelop an abandoned area by addressing such issue to thegovernment, the architects, and the public.

Beingadjacent to the Parliament House and the Festival Centre, the Southern Plaza, completedin March 1977, has remained one of Adelaide’s most under-utilized publicprecincts due to Adelaide’s citizens never really welcome the designer’s ideaof providing a playful place. With the capacity of holding thousands of people,this plaza has not been able to create a theme to hold each piece together bybuilding a complex of place with a sense of belonging. In contrast,the pedestrians very often use it as a short cut to the Elder Park, or as anextension of bus stop. Also the color of the sculptures across the plazadoesn’t reflect the characteristic style of its neighboring buildings. As the pedestrianwalks across the plaza, one can feel the absence of the vibrancy, the wanderinghere becomes a dull journey.

Proposedchange aims at turning the plaza into a new landmark of Adelaide as a leisureenvironment where three major functions will be carried out through the redevelopment--- dinning, art market and having fun. A smallnumber of cafes, restaurants and retail outlets near the Parliament House allowpeople sitting there to appreciate the panoramic view. Another highlight wouldbe the ancient style sculpture and the screen on the top of Festival Centre,the latter is a showcase of the program in the Festival Centre while the formerextends a harmonious relationship with Parliament House structured with Collinspillar. A sense of void is to be created by knocking down the originalsculptures to build a multifunctional plaza where in the daytime it houses vividart market but in the evening it turns your ordinary night into unforgettablememory through the rhythm flowed from the music fountain on the ground.

(ps: this is a school assignment.)

(self --study materials) Story Structure Architect...

2011-02-18T02:39:00.000-08:00

Story Structure Architect -- a writer’s guide to building dramatic situations & compelling characters
Author: Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D.

Journey Structures (Page 75)

With all three models there is still a sense of a clear three-act beginning, middle, and end. The following is an outline of the three main Journey models.

THE FEMININE JOURNEY

The Feminine Journey is a Journey in which the hero gathers the courage to face death, even if only symbolic, and endure the transformation towards being reborn as a complete being in charge of her own life.

The Journey starts with the Main Character questioning authority, then gaining the courage to stand up for herself and finally embodying the willingness to go it alone and face her own symbolic death. This Journey is based on The Descent of Inanna, one of the oldest recorded myths in history. Think The Wizard of Oz.

The Feminine Journey as a structure is cyclical in that, in the end, there is a sense that the Journey may continue or that the Main Character will return home to help someone else embark on the Journey she has just taken. This hero has gone through an inner process of change that can only be experienced directly, not shared. The other characters must experience it themselves to fully understand what the hero went through. In this way, everyone has the potential to be the hero. The Feminine Journey is available to all, not just the rich, strong, or admired.

In Act II the hero may face the same event or internal conflict a few times to get it right or learn the lesson she needs to learn. In Act III the hero goes through a rebirth of sorts and comes full circle, establishing a strong character arc.

THE MASCULINE JOURNEY

In the Masculine Journey, the hero is living in his version of a perfect world with friends and enemies alike. He is thrust into a situation and must make a decision based on how he will react to this situation --- will he go inward or remain outwardly focused? The Masculine Journey branches out in two directions, and the Main Character must choose which path to take because they both lead to different conclusions. One choice will lead him to a mini Feminie Journey where he will face the same event or internal conflict a few times to get it right or learn the lesson. He will also face a symbolic death and attain inner growth. This Journey is based on The Epic of Gilgamesh. Otherwise he will choose the outwardly directed path, which usually brings destruction. Think Moby-Dick.

THE JOSEPH CAMPBELL JOURNEY

The Joseph Campbell Journey keeps in line with the traditional storytelling model because it is based on the same myths and stories used to develop traditional Aristotelian structure.

In the end, the Main Character returns to the tribe in this Journey, but it is not cyclical as there is no sense that the Journey will continue after the hero returns. He has accomplished all that needed to be accomplished by himself and has helped the “tribe”. Think Lethal Weapon.

Birthday is coming.

2010-10-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

My recent work --- Dionysus' Puzzle (http://www.youtube.com/user/confuciuskiller).

And here the still images come, most of them are digital paintings:

A simple scene made in 3d max school assignment...

2010-03-03T02:58:00.000-08:00

I like simple stuff, I guess I won't be able to be a technical guru, but I do like to create sort of "feel" or to express myself in some way...

A simple scene created in 3d max with a little trick. It's actually a scene I took snapshot in Adobe Premiere when I imported my beginner-level 3d max animation about a flying airplane. Although the path I designed for my airplane looks like my pilot is a drunker, I adore such dark style scene. I think it could be developed into a story if I have time...

Study Anatomy

2010-02-17T00:34:00.000-08:00

----- Study Anatomy
Feb 10，2010

24 hours a day is not really enough for me, my new self-teaching plan is all about anatomy study. The minimum requirement for my plan is to draw 2 figures per day, currently I am just at the very first stage, hopefully I can move on “slowly but surely”.

The following sketches are based on the reference book "Anatomie fur Zeichner" which was written by a German author, Joseph Sheppard. His book is a great source for the study of basic anatomical structure of human figure.

Tadao Ando (3) the happiness of post-modern society

2009-07-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

Tadao Ando (3) the happiness of post-modern society
Jul 26，2009

Usually, I’m allergic to the “-ism”, ‘cause I think I’m human being and never want to be constrained by any theory. Those theories could be very logical but I, as a human, am actually non-rational pieces essentially. Just like well-known Chinese author Mr. Lin Yu Tang said, he would like to talk with a housemaid rather than talk with a scientist, ‘cause the words of the housemaid would be more vivid than that of scientist. This could be true, in most cases.

But among those people who finally become the “icon”, Tadao Ando’s opinion is not the fossil. I believe his opinion comes from his observation to the real life, not from any lab. That’s why I think his idea will, mostly, touch the pulse of our age. Thanks for the God, we have life itself!

At a recent interview, Tadao Ando addressed that the happiness of people in post-modern society will rely on the enjoyment of spirit and you may live as a puritan, instead of living as greedy person indulging yourself into the materialism.

At least Tadao Ando himself has been experiencing such lifestyle quite close to a “puritan”, even after his huge success, he still insists not to employ assistant, not to be addicted to computer or email….etc. But I think he forgot to mention that to chase one’s dream and turning it into career would be a huge happiness to individual in post-modern society, particularly in creative field, just like his own growing track.

In industrialized society, the system of mass-production has built the base of material fortune. As a “chain” of the “huge social machine”, everyone seems to have no choice to escape from the circle of producing material and consuming material. And the most importantly, we as human being have “disappeared” in the crowd, or become the slave of hi-tech…Where is the real freedom? Western society has contributed the freedom and democracy on the level of politics which can ensure the human rights and stimulate the free market, but where is the freedom that will liberate, comfort our weary soul in modern jungle? What sort of things can really touch our heart?

From the point of view of individual, only the success based on individual uniqueness is really worth to be celebrated, because it is such result that can prove I, for example, have been living as myself, everything what I did is based on my will, and I am chasing my dream coming from the bottom of my heart. Perhaps that’s also the joy of any self-employed entrepreneur, but among them, people establish themselves in creative field would feel more content because nothing can beat the joy of creating.

Creation is endless, therefore it’s such endless challenge can bring the vigor and energy into our empty life. I believe such happiness is irreplaceable and beyond the joy from the possession of material. Even today, when Tadao Ando is 68 years old, he still asks himself whether he has the inner tameless spirit to fight in the city life…

Every time when I read the story about Tadao Ando, I just can’t help to exclaiming over the miracle of life, his story is not just about how a poor boy strives to be successful in the mundane world, it’s actually about how a person searches his ego constantly and express himself through architecture, when he is poor, he is still stouthearted to follow his dream; when he is so successful, there is no any show off except the ongoing reflection. The mysterious and stony fate still has her cup of tea----those sober people who have been tested by the ebb and flow of life can get the passport from the fate, that’s the real freedom. But the others who may have been defeated by the frustration or seduced by “the banquet of vanity”, could only be the sacrifice.

I still need to review his story…

Tadao Ando (2) Unique Aesthetics

2009-07-26T19:07:00.001-07:00

Tadao Ando (2) Unique Aesthetics
Jul 26，2009

If we observe the fashion of Yohji Yomamoto and the architecture of Tadao Ando, we can feel there is something similar, it’s really hard to express but it is there. One thing is just in common, it’s just the masterpiece, the masterpiece is represented through the material, the minimal and modern structure, the color, and finally, the “atmosphere”--- it just looks like a puritan standing there, a bit of depression, but very strong and unique, perhaps the counterpart of such style in western could be dark gothic art.

Most of Tadao Ando’s architecture, particularly in the early period, is built in concrete which is very rare used as the “final product”, because it is “ugly” compared with other refined construction material. However, at least in my eyes, it is very typical Japanese aesthetics. In Japanese traditional aesthetics system (wabi-sabi), the feel of rustic, austere, or sort of “stark beauty” is the best representative. Besides, it also signifies the spirit of Zen, namely, the tranquility. For people whose eyes have been used to enjoy the gorgeous and splendid aspect of any building or shape, such Japanese style might be a little bit dull, it just has to invite your soul to joining such appreciation more than let your eyes lingering lonely around those facades or walls.

But on the other hand, the structure of Tadao Ando’s building could be categorized into contemporary architecture, it actually also speaks for the ancient Greek’s spirit. Look at those columns, when they are integrated into Tadao Ando’s building, we can say it’s traditional but it’s modern as well. It’s eastern but it’s western undoubtedly. Perhaps the secret of design just relies on the skill how to put different elements in an interesting and new way, also keep another level of harmony even you are trying to build the leaning roof which you think it could be cutting-edge design.

It goes without saying, the structure is inspired by western, plus some part of structure comes from ancient China, but the whole “atmosphere” is exactly rooted from ancient Japanese aesthetics, or say, philosophy. It is only a nation who locates “on the top of volcano” can see through the life as the transient stage and then developed their unique life philosophy into such pessimistic view but full of “necessary joy of life”, yep, not too much, so, to keep almost every resource or material in minimal scale but never forget to let people enjoy the moment when they stay inside. It's said that Japan is a country where only 33.3% citizens believe in religion (according to the statistic in 1995), however, I believe the religion has been penetrated into their daily life through those tradtional custom such as tea ceremony, etc. And we could say even Tadao Ando's architecture itself serves for the society as a "silent preacher".

Tradition sometimes serves as sedative for modern people, because modern people are actually homeless kids. People can feel nostalgic when they see some “familiar” details which make them feel “finding the way home” and I think that could comfort one’s soul somehow, But on the other hand, it only works when the spirit of tradition is expressed majorly through “new way” or only some details indicate the tradition, if any design which only “copies” the tradition it just speaks the story long time ago and doesn’t link to modern life, its function as a “comforter” will be weaken because modern people will feel there is no any connection between this design and his current life, it is just a antique full of nostalgic but without any stimulation to let him to take forward. In my personal view this is also the perfect function of any modern art----half feeling half thinking.

To create such unique design combined tradition aesthetic with modern style, I think Tadao Ando’s track is a very inspiring example, at least you have to know the whole world then you can find out your real uniqueness, or say, it’s within the global context that you can really recognize your own tradition then express it in your own way. If you are growing, the tradition is also growing. Let the tradition be alive through your growing. It also takes time as a process similar with the “fermentation” of wine making. However, the worst way is, someone just closes the door then kneels in front of the relic of forebear----he will be died of narcissism. Sometimes we do need to visit our neighbors in this global village.

Tadao Ando (1) the spirit of self-taught

2009-07-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

Tadao Ando (1) the spirit of self-taught
Jul 25，2009

As an international student, freedom is still something luxurious. English may just look like a harbor for me to escape. It is particularly at the puzzled moment that I just again and again review those articles about Tadao Ando, the 68 years old internationally recognized architect, who was born in Osaka, Japan.

As a boy born in poor family, his dream is to become an architect. Due to lack of both money and good grade in school, he didn’t get a chance to enter into university but then he decided to self-teach himself about architecture, not just spent one year to stay at home for study any architecture related books including interior design, fine art, etc, from 9am to next morning 4am almost everyday, Tadao Ando also followed his model---La Corbusier, the famous French architect who also achieved his accomplishment by both self-taught and travelling, Tadao Ando planned to travel to Europe for “experiencing” those ancient architecture----this is also called “Grand Tour” which has been the tradition of European nobles who educate their offspring.

But a poor boy as Tadao Ando who can even hardly buy architecture book easily, how can he earn enough money to Europe? His brother suggested that he can strive to be a boxer and if he could be the champion he would have both money and working visa to go abroad. What does that mean persistence? It is just best illustrated in Tadao Ando’s growing track----he loves architecture so much but at that moment he just has to switch his life from a draftsman to a boxer.

He is the final winner, in both boxing and architecture field. From the age of 44 (in 1985), he has won large numbers of awards worldwide including the Pritzker Architecture Prize which symbolizes the top distinction in this field. This man, who has never studied architecture in university, has been invited to Yale, Columbia and Harvard University as visiting professor from 1987 to 1990.

Like he used to say, he is only good at studying outside the classroom. To some extent, I think if Tadao Ando could be the director of Ministry of Education that would be very wonderful! He emphasizes the freedom of free thinking which maybe absent in normal education of university.

For me, as a truant from the normal Chinese higher education system, I can not imagine any better education than that way expressed by Tadao Ando, particularly in such a commercial age which lots of things has been commercialized, including education. In my eyes, the best education way is the self-taught plus short term introductory training (such as 3 months) plus free thinking born in plenty of time. Interest is always the best teacher and then if any book or any person can bring the interesting side of study into our life, we are lucky!

It is said the meaning of “school” in ancient Latin means “leisure”, that’s why our ancient Greek are so philosophical and full of wisdom, because their schooling are nothing different with relaxing, while we human being born in modern age only, most of time, are good at “storing up” knowledge to cope with examination. Examination may be the quickest way to sort out “the qualification of human being”, like the qualification of product. But that’s the problem, the qualification only exams the standard side of a product, everyone is different and I think it is those “different” side of a person could make him to be himself, to achieve something which is unique to the world, not those sides have been educated in “standard” way, students left from school may look like the hamburger in Macdonald. When we have been shaped by that standard “frame”, we may have lost something else. If it’s not too exaggerated, the normal education could possibly turn an outstanding talent into a so-so person, standardization may kill uniqueness, and not too many people are good at both taking examination and thinking freely. Sometimes, the wild animal is stronger.

That’s what I’m afraid of my current situation. The 1.5 year of schooling I spent in Adelaide is the longest time I stayed in school after my 17. If it’s not because that student visa is the only legal identification which I can carry nowadays, instead of paying the tuition much more expensive than the local student I would really like to follow Tadao Ando’s track to study through the travelling, this is the real study. You will have lots of time to read as wide as you can, to see as much as you can, and most importantly, to think as free as you can, then if you are really interested to find out answer in certain field, you can give yourself some “assignments” as the challenge, like Tadao Ando, he did assign lots of “architecture homework” to himself. As a self-taught student, you have the complete freedom to follow the things interest you, energy are more focused, and time is saved.

Stealing your neighbor's Net?

2009-07-11T03:12:00.000-07:00

school assignment for ethic conduct
Ethic Diary --- Stealing your neighbor's Net
(Apr 21, 2009)

Background Summary: Nowadays Wi-Fi technology has gradually inundated both commercial and private world. Most computers are equipped for wireless Internet access, and more and more people are opting for Wi-Fi in their homes. Mark McArdle, who is a professional within IT industry, as he took a drive through Toronto’s financial district and using his laptop wanted to see if he would find any unsecured networks. Much to his surprise, he found more than 30....…
So sometimes people can use someone else’s connection to log onto the Internet.

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The ethical dilemma here could be argued in the following sides, one side says that it is absolutely stealing because you didn’t pay for it, the other says that if the network is not protected or expressly secured against unauthorized use, then it could be free for anyone.

The very sensitive issue is whether or not the Information highway could be regarded as sort of private space if it is already under some specified name. For example, just like the celebrity who has bought the road and entitled it by his own name, then everyone will know this part of road belongs to private space and wouldn’t intrude. In traditional world, we know the meaning of privacy and the importance to respect it. However, this is digital world and everything seems to be quite blurred and hard to be identified. For IT industry, there is still huge room for new regulation.

But before that, let’s assume we could delimit the do’s and don’s, just like the road in traditional world, if it’s named by individual so everyone can’t park there unless it’s expressed clearly that this or that part of road is public free parking area.

Otherwise, for individual user, if we can expand the ACM code to the consumer not just the professional in IT industry, that the “intrude behavior” breaches the code 2.8 “Access computing and communication resources only when authorized do so”.

From the point of view of leaders in IT organization, they need to demarcate clearly between private and public by expression, such statement could serve as the banner standing in front of the private road. Otherwise, the leader’s behavior will infringe the ACM code 3.3 “Acknowledge and support proper and authorized uses of an organization’s computing and commnunication resources.”