Forbidden City Beijing 9.17.2011

They just don't build Palaces like this anymore! Second time to the City and it is so huge, I see something new each time I visit, it's over whelming (I believe that was the desired affect). Husam and I went in the South Gate the usual route, and took our time...setting and observing the crowds, a sea of people that never seemed to end. It was nice to just absorb, and I found myself reflecting on the last days of the City, and the movie.

oh wait! I see something...damn!!!

There always something, just when you think you have finished, so I grabbed the brushes and back to work. I really want to finish because in the morning I and six other artists are headed to Beijing for 4 days of fun and seeing the sights (my second time), I'll be the tour guide for some of the group. On our list of to do, 798 Art district, Great Wall, Forbidden City and Summer Palace (I've not seen). We booked the hotel, The Beijing Traditional Hotel in the old Hutong district near the Forbidden City, a nice place. We are taking the high speed train which will take 6 hours hitting speeds of 250 km per hour...should be fun.

Development Zone Exhibit Hall centered around Sculpture Park

This Exhibit Hall was a spectacular sight with dynamic exhibits of futuristic advances in nano technology, bio-technology and all other types of technology. The Exhibit was staffed with tall, sleek model-like women with form-fitting business skirts all delivering their presentations with the latest developments using laser pointers identifying various locations on the High Technology Development Zone and Sculpture Park. The Park is where my sculpture will eventually be exhibited. Everything was extremely impressive. Then I had to use the rest-room, and what a slap back to reality. I mean, the old style traditional Chinese toilet, a hole in the ground, and of course no toilet tissue to be found. Talk about juxtapositioning.

Selected Again for China July 14-Sept.2, 2011

Just received word that I have been selected for the 12th Changchun Sculpture Symposium and Sculpture Conference to begin July 14th to September 2 2011. The organizing committee selected one out of the three artwork proposals that I submitted, the artwork will be 3 meters in height and be a combination granite and bronze, the title of the chosen work is “Idea Leaping into the Future”. I'm really looking forward to the event and meeting the other new artists that will have been selected. My fellow artist and friend Jallim Eudovic (his third time) will be there, and it is always a pleasure to to see him.
The seven weeks needed to complete the sculpture will be pretty demanding and even more so when I have to consider I'm returning from a long trip in the states and have to leave eight days later for China. I still need to prepare some cut sheets for the bronze sheet work that will be part of the inlay in the red granite lower section of the sculpture. The figure element will be 2 meters tall and that is just from butt to head. More to come...