Infinite Way: Reflections on the Zao Wou-Ki Exhibition

When it comes to the name of Zao Wou-Ki, people often associate him with his sky-high-priced artworks. 

As a special cultural project for the 19th Asian Games and a commemoration of the tenth anniversary of his passing, the Zao Wou-Ki Centennial Retrospective Exhibition is currently on display in Hangzhou in late 2023. I finally had the chance to witness his paintings in person, leaving a profound impact on me.

I am someone who actually does not understand painting, but I feel that artworks reflect the inner world of the artist. Therefore, before going to see the exhibition, I looked into the life of Wou-Ki. His marital life was very tumultuous, which inspired him to boldly create colorful paintings to express his emotions. Click on this link to learn more about his life: Zao Wou-Ki: Biography.

Zao Wou-Ki is a globally acclaimed Chinese-French painter and one of the most expensive artists of our era. The total value of this art exhibition is 50 billion Chinese yuan. Among them, the piece "Homage to My Friend Henri Michaux" set an Asian auction record for oil paintings, selling for 450 million Chinese yuan. When appreciating this painting closely, what is truly enchanting is the magical effect of color where it appears different from every angle.

Hangzhou exhibits Zao Wou-Ki's painting "Homage to My Friend Henri Michaux," 
which is the most expensive and the largest-sized oil painting he has ever created, Sunday, 

Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo/ Zhong Xiyue]

 

Wou-Ki once said, "Everyone has one tradition, I have two." He received traditional Chinese education in his youth and later settled in France, deeply influenced by Impressionism and the paintings of his good friend, Picasso. His name "Wou-Ki" itself is interesting, as it means infinity in Chinese, proving prophetic for an extraordinary artist who embraced diverse cultural identities without being confined to any.

 

The exhibition, presented in six sections in chronological order, showcases Wou-Ki's artistic exploration at various stages of his life, featuring 129 oil paintings, important works, and relevant documents. Through the guide's explanation, I learned that in his youth, Wou-Ki actually rejected the traditional Chinese painting techniques, immersing himself in the painting skills of Western oil painting. 

Many people, including some painters and young individuals, attend Zhao Wou-Ki's art exhibition, Sunday, 

Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo/ Zhong Xiyue]

 

His passion for innovation led him to France, where he was deeply influenced by Impressionism and his close friend, Picasso, broadening his artistic perspective. As a result, he integrated Eastern and Western elements, creating a highly distinctive artistic style. Just like his name "Wou-Ki," his way is infinite.

 

Feel free to leave comments to share your thoughts on Wou-Ki's artworks. If you would like to learn more about this exhibition, here is a link: https://en.caa.edu.cn/events/the-way-is-infinite-centennial-retrospective-exhibition-of-zao-wou-ki.

An Adventure to the Yulong Snow Mountain

My three friends and I arrived at Yulong Snow Mountain in August 2023, aiming to fulfill our long-held dream of reaching its summit.

Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, known as the sacred mountain of the Naxi people, boasts cascading snow peaks resembling a silver dragon in flight. Click here to see more information: china-discovery-Yulong Snow Mountain

Lu said, “The most unpredictable thing in Yunnan is the weather.” We set out under clear skies, but as we approached the mountain base, rain began to pour. He reminded us not to use umbrellas during downpours, recalling a fatal lightning incident in 2022.

Due to decreased visibility and the risk of altitude sickness from lower temperatures in the rain, Lu recommended that we carefully contemplate whether to proceed with the ascent. We chose to continue, fully prepared in water-resistant gear and inhaling oxygen.

Surprisingly, the rain lessened as we ascended. We encountered herds of black yaks peacefully grazing, and numerous sheep strolling in front of us in the spruce forest. Mountain climbers maintain a respectful distance from the wild animals, recognizing them as the true inhabitants of the area; any harm caused to these animals may result in severe penalties.

Herds of yak and sheep graze on the hillside, Saturday, Aug.12, 2023. [Photo/ Zhong Xiyue]

After about 2 hours of ascent, the rain stopped. Fortunately, none of us experienced altitude sickness, though the wind at the summit made us slightly dizzy. We took a short break, breathed in some oxygen, and then continued our journey. 

After an additional 20-minute climb along the walkway, we reached the breathtaking altitude of 4680 meters. In the vast expanse of mountains and amidst the mist, the spectacle made all the efforts worthwhile.

My friend opens her arms to embrace the beautiful scenery of the mountain, 

Saturday, Aug.12, 2023. [Photo/ Zhong Xiyue]

Descending, we discovered valuable plants, medicinal herbs, and unique Yunnan fungi, we washed hands in Blue Moon Valley at the mountain base following the local custom, which means good luck.

Remember to pay close attention to the weather and ensure it is suitable for climbing if you are also planning a trip to Yulong Snow Mountain. Safety first. Here is a link: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/85447912 that can help you better climb this mountain. If you have any experiences you would like to share, feel free to leave a comment. 

 

 

Gaza's Underground: Smuggling and Survival

In the war-torn city of Gaza, the underground tunnels have become the lifeline for the Palestinians and may now evolve into a more complex battleground.

 

Since 2007, Israel has tightly sealed off this territory, and Egypt has closed the southern borders of Gaza, turning it into an open-air prison. Israel's comprehensive water and power blockade led to a disruption in local supplies on October 9, 2023. 

 

To circumvent this blockade, Gaza has excavated numerous underground tunnels, and cleverly concealed entrances beneath homes, mosques, or within thickets. These tunnels serve as a crucial lifeline for Gaza, connecting it to the outside world and sustaining the smuggling industry of essential goods, medicines, and other supplies. Here is a video: the exclusive look inside the Gaza tunnel network.

 

Beyond smuggling, the underground tunnels have evolved into military reserves. Israel possesses a military strength unmatched by Hamas, yet they have continuously sought ways to address this underground threat. The latest attempt involves flooding the tunnels with water. As a Chinese, it reminds me of the water flooding in the tunnels during the Sino-Japanese War in the Jizhong Plain, which was very brutal.

Militants guarding tunnels on the Gaza-Israeli border earlier this year.  
Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Unfortunately, in the conflict, civilians are always the first to suffer, whether for Israel or Gaza. Under the blockade and amidst the fires of war, the smuggling industry has taken a severe hit, posing a significant threat to civilians. Despite Israel's claims that their target is the tunnels, the collapse of these tunnels also leads to the collapse of civilian homes on the surface. For civilians, this lifeline may even endanger their lives, as everything is unpredictable in war.

 

From a life perspective, this underground smuggling and perilous survival are both helpless and pitiful. The prolonged war has been enduring, and it is hoped that there won't be more innocent lives implicated. 

If you have any opinions about Gaza's underground, feel free to leave a comment in my comment section. If you want to learn more, here is a link where a reporter lived in Gaza and reported on how they lived life under siege: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-26/life-in-gaza-children-hospitality-power-cuts-life-under-siege/103136256.