Hsinwei Hsu hhsu3@pratt.edu
Jung Yuen, Shin shinny7@naver.com
Santiago Ortega ortesantiago@gmail.com
Ari Iftach iftachari@gmail.com
Yi-Hsuan Liu bbiicckk@hotmail.com
Statement of the Problem:
• Igor Zakarov committed plagiarism in his final paper.
• His professor Graham was suspicious about his writing style.
Suggestion of Possible Solutions
• Igor should be punished with an F score for the paper.
• Igor could have another chance to write the paper again.
• Igor should fail the paper and the course.
Evaluation of Possible Solutions
• He has to take responsibility for his mistake.
• He should learn the policies for plagiarism in USA.
• He should have another chance to write the paper by himself, he is a good student.
Igor Zakarov who is an international student from Russia, now studies in a University in Virginia. He studied very hard and got a 3.8 GPA. He didn’t have enough time to prepare for his final paper. So he asked his friend George to help him. George proposed him to buy a $ 50 paper written by others. Igor had some struggle but decided to buy it. After turning in his paper, Professor Graham had some doubts and asked him to write an abstract of the paper.
Igor finished the abstract paper uncomfortably and got a University’s Academic Regulations from the professor. He regretted what he has done.
On one side we think Igor should be punished and fail the course. In order to be a Graduate student, he should be responsible for his actions. Being a student in USA does not allow you to plagiarize, even if you are international student that means that your schedule is tighter and you have less time to do your work.
On the other side Igor should get a second chance to rewrite the paper. In general he is a good student and his first mistake should be forgiven. The punishment shouldn’t be so severe, and his professor should give him a chance to rewrite the paper.
As a conclusion, Igor must assume his responsibility but not in a very severe way because he is a good student. One mistake shouldn’t erase few years of hard working. He should fail the paper but not the whole course.
2007年12月3日 星期一
CHAT TRANSCRIPTS OF MANHATTAN PROJECT
21:59 Min Hyung: you got it?
21:59 Jung Yuen: yes
21:59 Hsin-Wei: than we choose one to put in the two days trip
22:00 Jung Yuen: nono
22:00 Jung Yuen: one of two days
22:00 Hsin-Wei: how about the other day?
22:00 Jung Yuen: we have to find another topic for neat day
22:00 Hsin-Wei: should it rely on the first day?
22:01 Jung Yuen: that is groop proposal
22:01 Hsin-Wei: i know
22:01 Jung Yuen: It should be different from first day .
22:01 Hsin-Wei: i mean the second day proposal should rely on the first day trip?
22:02 Hsin-Wei: or we can discuss anything for the second day?
22:02 Jung Yuen: no
22:02 Jung Yuen: we can discuss anything for the second day
22:02 Hsin-Wei: i see
22:03 Hsin-Wei: so should we show others our own proposal??
22:03 Jung Yuen: yes( my 'no' answer was for first one)
22:03 Min Hyung: It's not jung Yuen's problem...
22:03 Jung Yuen: ^^
22:03 Hsin-Wei: or we chat on the internet?
22:03 Min Hyung: It's our problem.....first...\
22:04 Jung Yuen: our problem? you mean group proposal?
22:04 Min Hyung: no...
22:05 Jung Yuen: I see
22:05 Jung Yuen: I got it
22:05 Min Hyung: Shi Wei and I didn't uploaded our proposal
22:05 Hsin-Wei: so right now we have to finish our proposal first!!!!!!
22:05 Jung Yuen: ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22:05 Min Hyung: sure....
22:05 Jung Yuen: so
22:05 Hsin-Wei: and than we meet againg and keep going
22:05 Jung Yuen: should we meet again?
22:06 Jung Yuen: I mean
22:06 Min Hyung: yes...
22:06 Jung Yuen: on the web site
22:06 Jung Yuen: so when is good?
22:06 Hsin-Wei: so.....WHEN?
22:06 Min Hyung: may be we have to make assignment with theacher....
22:07 Min Hyung: appointment
22:07 Jung Yuen: ok...
22:07 Hsin-Wei: you mean on the LMS again?
22:07 Min Hyung: could you finish your proposal today?
22:07 Min Hyung: sure...
22:07 Min Hyung: I can do that...
22:07 Hsin-Wei: I CAN
22:08 Jung Yuen: ok
22:08 Min Hyung: well....
22:08 Hsin-Wei: HOW ABOUT 1130?
22:08 Hsin-Wei: IS IT TOO LATE?
22:08 Min Hyung: today?
22:09 Hsin-Wei: YEAH^^
22:09 Min Hyung: I can do that....
22:09 Min Hyung: any time...
22:09 Min Hyung: but...
22:09 Min Hyung: how about Jung Yuen and teacher...
22:10 Min Hyung: could we use this chat room today, again?
22:11 Sang: Anytime from now until tomorrow 6:59 pm.
22:11 Sang: another group made a reservation at 7:00 pm.
22:12 Hsin-Wei: so we can use it at 1130pm
22:12 Jung Yuen: ok
22:12 Sang: haha as long as you won't go to bed at that time.
22:12 Min Hyung: I'm sorry about that.....
22:13 Sang: Don't be sorry, Ben.
22:14: Sang Kim has left this chat
22:15 Jung Yuen: so we are going to meet 11:30?
22:15: Hsin-Wei Hsu has left this chat
22:15 Min Hyung: yes....
22:15 Min Hyung: I'm sorry...
21:59 Jung Yuen: yes
21:59 Hsin-Wei: than we choose one to put in the two days trip
22:00 Jung Yuen: nono
22:00 Jung Yuen: one of two days
22:00 Hsin-Wei: how about the other day?
22:00 Jung Yuen: we have to find another topic for neat day
22:00 Hsin-Wei: should it rely on the first day?
22:01 Jung Yuen: that is groop proposal
22:01 Hsin-Wei: i know
22:01 Jung Yuen: It should be different from first day .
22:01 Hsin-Wei: i mean the second day proposal should rely on the first day trip?
22:02 Hsin-Wei: or we can discuss anything for the second day?
22:02 Jung Yuen: no
22:02 Jung Yuen: we can discuss anything for the second day
22:02 Hsin-Wei: i see
22:03 Hsin-Wei: so should we show others our own proposal??
22:03 Jung Yuen: yes( my 'no' answer was for first one)
22:03 Min Hyung: It's not jung Yuen's problem...
22:03 Jung Yuen: ^^
22:03 Hsin-Wei: or we chat on the internet?
22:03 Min Hyung: It's our problem.....first...\
22:04 Jung Yuen: our problem? you mean group proposal?
22:04 Min Hyung: no...
22:05 Jung Yuen: I see
22:05 Jung Yuen: I got it
22:05 Min Hyung: Shi Wei and I didn't uploaded our proposal
22:05 Hsin-Wei: so right now we have to finish our proposal first!!!!!!
22:05 Jung Yuen: ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22:05 Min Hyung: sure....
22:05 Jung Yuen: so
22:05 Hsin-Wei: and than we meet againg and keep going
22:05 Jung Yuen: should we meet again?
22:06 Jung Yuen: I mean
22:06 Min Hyung: yes...
22:06 Jung Yuen: on the web site
22:06 Jung Yuen: so when is good?
22:06 Hsin-Wei: so.....WHEN?
22:06 Min Hyung: may be we have to make assignment with theacher....
22:07 Min Hyung: appointment
22:07 Jung Yuen: ok...
22:07 Hsin-Wei: you mean on the LMS again?
22:07 Min Hyung: could you finish your proposal today?
22:07 Min Hyung: sure...
22:07 Min Hyung: I can do that...
22:07 Hsin-Wei: I CAN
22:08 Jung Yuen: ok
22:08 Min Hyung: well....
22:08 Hsin-Wei: HOW ABOUT 1130?
22:08 Hsin-Wei: IS IT TOO LATE?
22:08 Min Hyung: today?
22:09 Hsin-Wei: YEAH^^
22:09 Min Hyung: I can do that....
22:09 Min Hyung: any time...
22:09 Min Hyung: but...
22:09 Min Hyung: how about Jung Yuen and teacher...
22:10 Min Hyung: could we use this chat room today, again?
22:11 Sang: Anytime from now until tomorrow 6:59 pm.
22:11 Sang: another group made a reservation at 7:00 pm.
22:12 Hsin-Wei: so we can use it at 1130pm
22:12 Jung Yuen: ok
22:12 Sang: haha as long as you won't go to bed at that time.
22:12 Min Hyung: I'm sorry about that.....
22:13 Sang: Don't be sorry, Ben.
22:14: Sang Kim has left this chat
22:15 Jung Yuen: so we are going to meet 11:30?
22:15: Hsin-Wei Hsu has left this chat
22:15 Min Hyung: yes....
22:15 Min Hyung: I'm sorry...
MANHATTAN PROJECT
Group proposal
Family members
Budget:
First day trip
Hotel: Off soho suites hotel
11 Rivington St
- New York, NY, United States 10002) ($ 700 for 8 people)
Time
description
budget
reference
AM 08:00
Buy Metro daily ticket to eat breakfast
$56 for 8 people
AM 9:30
breakfast
(sandwich, salad, tea, coffee)
start to go Battery park
$ 40-60 for 8 people
88 Orchard( Caf é )
88 Orchard st& Broome st
Mon-Fri (am7:30~20:00)/Sat-Sun (am 8:30~24:00)
AM 10: 20
Battery Park tour
Buy ticket for going to Ellis Island and Liberty Island
$80 for Ferry and $48 for audio guide
http://www.batteryparkcity.org/page
/index_battery.html
AM 11:30
Ride on the ferry
AM 12:00
Arrive at Liberty Island and tour
Fees
$70 for 8 people
www.nps.gov/stli
Fees
$11.50 - Ages 13+ - Day à $23
$9.50- Seniors 62 and over – Day à $ 38
$4.50- Children 4-12. – Day à $9
PM 12:50
Ride on the ferry to go to Ellis Island
PM 13:30
Arrive at Ellis Island
Lunch in the cafeteria at Ellis Island
$ 80-100 for 8 people
www.nps.gov/elis
PM 14: 00- 16:30
Watching Immigration Museum and movie.
Checking their immigration data at American Family Immigration Center.
PM 17:00
Ride on the ferry to go to Manhattan
PM 17:20
Arrive Battery Park
PM 18:00
Dinner at Little Italy
Da Nico Ristorante
$200 for 8 people
http://danicoristorante.com/home.php)
164 Mulberry St , NYC, NY 10013
PM 19:00
Lower East Side tour and so ho shopping
$250 for shopping
Go to Spring St. in so ho. There are many famous shops
PM 21:00
go to hotel or free time.
Murray Hill East Hotel
$736.20 for 8 people
Second day trip
AM 09:00
breakfast in Taiwanese restaurant
(steamed bun, turnip cake, baked roll, fried bread stick, oyster thin noodles and soybean porridge)
taking subway to Flushing
$56 for 8 people ’ s subway ticket
$60~80 for breakfast
Taiwanese food court at the 1st floor in Flushing Mall.
AM 12:00
taking subway from Flushing to Penn Station.
Visit Korea Town.
Having lunch in Korean restaurant
(the kim-chi soup, tteok-ppo-kki and sam-gye soup)
$80~100 for lunch
After breakfast, they can visit Flushing.
There are many Chinese food stores.
After that, take subway to 34th street.
PM 02:00-
PM O6:00
shopping in Macy's or walk to Time Square square for sight seeing and buy souvenirs in several shops
$200 for shopping
Metro N.Q.R.S.W.1.2.3.7- Time Square-42nd St. station
PM 07:00
taking subway to 8th street, east village.
Having dinner in Japanese restaurant
"OH! TAISHO"
(yakitori, Japanese ramen)
$250 for dinner
St. Marks street in east village
8th street
PM 10:00
go to hotel or free time.
Murray Hill East Hotel
$736.20 for 8 people
TOTAL
$2982
Family members
Budget:
First day trip
Hotel: Off soho suites hotel
11 Rivington St
- New York, NY, United States 10002) ($ 700 for 8 people)
Time
description
budget
reference
AM 08:00
Buy Metro daily ticket to eat breakfast
$56 for 8 people
AM 9:30
breakfast
(sandwich, salad, tea, coffee)
start to go Battery park
$ 40-60 for 8 people
88 Orchard( Caf é )
88 Orchard st& Broome st
Mon-Fri (am7:30~20:00)/Sat-Sun (am 8:30~24:00)
AM 10: 20
Battery Park tour
Buy ticket for going to Ellis Island and Liberty Island
$80 for Ferry and $48 for audio guide
http://www.batteryparkcity.org/page
/index_battery.html
AM 11:30
Ride on the ferry
AM 12:00
Arrive at Liberty Island and tour
Fees
$70 for 8 people
www.nps.gov/stli
Fees
$11.50 - Ages 13+ - Day à $23
$9.50- Seniors 62 and over – Day à $ 38
$4.50- Children 4-12. – Day à $9
PM 12:50
Ride on the ferry to go to Ellis Island
PM 13:30
Arrive at Ellis Island
Lunch in the cafeteria at Ellis Island
$ 80-100 for 8 people
www.nps.gov/elis
PM 14: 00- 16:30
Watching Immigration Museum and movie.
Checking their immigration data at American Family Immigration Center.
PM 17:00
Ride on the ferry to go to Manhattan
PM 17:20
Arrive Battery Park
PM 18:00
Dinner at Little Italy
Da Nico Ristorante
$200 for 8 people
http://danicoristorante.com/home.php)
164 Mulberry St , NYC, NY 10013
PM 19:00
Lower East Side tour and so ho shopping
$250 for shopping
Go to Spring St. in so ho. There are many famous shops
PM 21:00
go to hotel or free time.
Murray Hill East Hotel
$736.20 for 8 people
Second day trip
AM 09:00
breakfast in Taiwanese restaurant
(steamed bun, turnip cake, baked roll, fried bread stick, oyster thin noodles and soybean porridge)
taking subway to Flushing
$56 for 8 people ’ s subway ticket
$60~80 for breakfast
Taiwanese food court at the 1st floor in Flushing Mall.
AM 12:00
taking subway from Flushing to Penn Station.
Visit Korea Town.
Having lunch in Korean restaurant
(the kim-chi soup, tteok-ppo-kki and sam-gye soup)
$80~100 for lunch
After breakfast, they can visit Flushing.
There are many Chinese food stores.
After that, take subway to 34th street.
PM 02:00-
PM O6:00
shopping in Macy's or walk to Time Square square for sight seeing and buy souvenirs in several shops
$200 for shopping
Metro N.Q.R.S.W.1.2.3.7- Time Square-42nd St. station
PM 07:00
taking subway to 8th street, east village.
Having dinner in Japanese restaurant
"OH! TAISHO"
(yakitori, Japanese ramen)
$250 for dinner
St. Marks street in east village
8th street
PM 10:00
go to hotel or free time.
Murray Hill East Hotel
$736.20 for 8 people
TOTAL
$2982
ENGLISH CLASS REFLECTION
Hsin-Wei Hsu
REFLECTION ON ENGLISH CLASS
I think the English class has been really helpful. At first, I thought this class is like the general English class in language schools, which has the grammar, speaking and writing class. However, it is totally different. I feel this class teaches me to write for lecture classes. I learned the writing methods of artistic statement, research paper and thesis paper. This skills are very important for the lecture class in the future.
Mrs. Sang provided various ways for studying. We used LMS system, online blog and videos for studying English. Although sometimes the technology had problems, I still felt it was useful. Mrs. Sang also gave us many opportunities to discuss our work with classmates. I think the group discussion is very helpful. I can learn not only how to express my ideas, but also listen and negotiate with others. Besides, Mrs. Sang understands international students well, because she was a foreign student as well. She gave me a lot good advice not only on my work, but also my life.
In this class, all of my classmates were nice. They were glad to share their ideas and suggestions with me, which improved my English. Also, I learned a lot from them, because they are from different majors and have their own professional knowledge.
It is not normal that our teacher is changed in the half of semester. These two teachers have different teaching styles. At first, I felt a little bit nervous, because I was afraid that our schedule would be changed and I needed to adapt to the new teacher . However, the schedule was not changed and Mr. Thomas is as nice as Mrs. Sang.
REFLECTION ON ENGLISH CLASS
I think the English class has been really helpful. At first, I thought this class is like the general English class in language schools, which has the grammar, speaking and writing class. However, it is totally different. I feel this class teaches me to write for lecture classes. I learned the writing methods of artistic statement, research paper and thesis paper. This skills are very important for the lecture class in the future.
Mrs. Sang provided various ways for studying. We used LMS system, online blog and videos for studying English. Although sometimes the technology had problems, I still felt it was useful. Mrs. Sang also gave us many opportunities to discuss our work with classmates. I think the group discussion is very helpful. I can learn not only how to express my ideas, but also listen and negotiate with others. Besides, Mrs. Sang understands international students well, because she was a foreign student as well. She gave me a lot good advice not only on my work, but also my life.
In this class, all of my classmates were nice. They were glad to share their ideas and suggestions with me, which improved my English. Also, I learned a lot from them, because they are from different majors and have their own professional knowledge.
It is not normal that our teacher is changed in the half of semester. These two teachers have different teaching styles. At first, I felt a little bit nervous, because I was afraid that our schedule would be changed and I needed to adapt to the new teacher . However, the schedule was not changed and Mr. Thomas is as nice as Mrs. Sang.
THESIS PAPER REFLECTION
Hsin-Wei Hsu
REFLECTION ON THESIS PAPER
This thesis paper is the last assignment in my English class. Unfortunately, Mrs. Sang went back to Korea for personal reasons, so I could not finish work with her. However, Mr. Thomas came and became the new teacher to finish this course. He is patient and kind. I had more confidence when I wrote this thesis paper, because I had finished the research paper. This had given me more confidence in writing the thesis paper. In some parts of the article in the thesis paper are familiar with the research paper. For example, the introduction should explain the main idea. Also, we still followed the APA style in the thesis paper. However, in the thesis paper, I can express my own ideas, which is a huge difference from research paper.
Actually, I wish I had more time for doing this thesis paper. I remembered that Mrs. Sang said we would not have to finish this thesis paper, because we spent a lot time on the research paper and would not have enough time for finishing the last assignment. I think what Mrs. Sang said is right, because she cares about every detail in our papers and she insists that each paragraph should be perfect. Although Mrs. Sang's strict made me feel pressure, I think it was worth.
In facts, time is not enough for finishing the last paper; however, I made it. I finished my thesis paper with Mr. Thomas. He helped me deal with my grammar problems and sentence errors. My thesis paper is talk about my painting and how it is influenced by Japanese popular culture. When I read the articles about Japanese pop culture, I understood it more. The more I understand the issue, the more I can express through my painting.
REFLECTION ON THESIS PAPER
This thesis paper is the last assignment in my English class. Unfortunately, Mrs. Sang went back to Korea for personal reasons, so I could not finish work with her. However, Mr. Thomas came and became the new teacher to finish this course. He is patient and kind. I had more confidence when I wrote this thesis paper, because I had finished the research paper. This had given me more confidence in writing the thesis paper. In some parts of the article in the thesis paper are familiar with the research paper. For example, the introduction should explain the main idea. Also, we still followed the APA style in the thesis paper. However, in the thesis paper, I can express my own ideas, which is a huge difference from research paper.
Actually, I wish I had more time for doing this thesis paper. I remembered that Mrs. Sang said we would not have to finish this thesis paper, because we spent a lot time on the research paper and would not have enough time for finishing the last assignment. I think what Mrs. Sang said is right, because she cares about every detail in our papers and she insists that each paragraph should be perfect. Although Mrs. Sang's strict made me feel pressure, I think it was worth.
In facts, time is not enough for finishing the last paper; however, I made it. I finished my thesis paper with Mr. Thomas. He helped me deal with my grammar problems and sentence errors. My thesis paper is talk about my painting and how it is influenced by Japanese popular culture. When I read the articles about Japanese pop culture, I understood it more. The more I understand the issue, the more I can express through my painting.
RESEARCH PAPER REFLECTION
Hsin-Wei Hsu
REFLECTION ON RESAERCH PAPER
It was my first time to do the research paper in english. Mrs. Sang was very patient, she explained how to write the research paper many times and provided us different methods to write it. I think it was good that Mrs. Sang separated the whole paper, and she asked us to do it in process. At first, we focused on the introduction. I spent many time for doing the introduction and rewrited more than four times. I learned a lot in the introduction writing. For instance, I know that the function of introduction is to provide the readers the main idea about the paper, and the author should not show the personal opinion in this research.
Mrs. Sang worked very hard, she gave me the feedback quickly. I totally had nine draft for the research paper. In each draft, Sang gave me many good advices and I tried to achieve her requests. We used APA style for the research paper. Mrs. Sang spent many times for explaining APA style. I think it is very important to understand the APA, MLA or Chigago styles, because this are the formal styles for writing. In the future, I need to use formal writing style in my paper. Aslo, we learned how to use the quotation, which is very important in papers. Mrs. Sang gave us many handouts about quotation in APA style, she provided a website for doing the quotation test.
At first, I felt the research paper is a hard assignment. However, after Mrs. Sang's and my hard work, I finished it. I learned not only how to arrange the structures, but also the quotation. After had the experience of doing research paper, I felt confidence to do my thesis paper.
REFLECTION ON RESAERCH PAPER
It was my first time to do the research paper in english. Mrs. Sang was very patient, she explained how to write the research paper many times and provided us different methods to write it. I think it was good that Mrs. Sang separated the whole paper, and she asked us to do it in process. At first, we focused on the introduction. I spent many time for doing the introduction and rewrited more than four times. I learned a lot in the introduction writing. For instance, I know that the function of introduction is to provide the readers the main idea about the paper, and the author should not show the personal opinion in this research.
Mrs. Sang worked very hard, she gave me the feedback quickly. I totally had nine draft for the research paper. In each draft, Sang gave me many good advices and I tried to achieve her requests. We used APA style for the research paper. Mrs. Sang spent many times for explaining APA style. I think it is very important to understand the APA, MLA or Chigago styles, because this are the formal styles for writing. In the future, I need to use formal writing style in my paper. Aslo, we learned how to use the quotation, which is very important in papers. Mrs. Sang gave us many handouts about quotation in APA style, she provided a website for doing the quotation test.
At first, I felt the research paper is a hard assignment. However, after Mrs. Sang's and my hard work, I finished it. I learned not only how to arrange the structures, but also the quotation. After had the experience of doing research paper, I felt confidence to do my thesis paper.
ARTIST STATEMENT REFLECTION
Hsin-Wei Hsu
REFLECTION ON ARTIST STATEMENT
I have attended the english class for one month and I learned a lot. I was so surprised that this english class is not like the traditional english class, for example, there were no text books and we did not sit there and listen to what the teacher said. We had to discuss our opinions with each other, we had to do practice that combine with reading, listening and writing skills, also, we had to do the research by ourselves. Although it was a challenge for me, I still felt good. I think it is a efficient way to improve my english ability.
For the artist's statement assignment, we read some artist's statements at first. I think it is helpful for writing our own statement. There are different components and styles in a artist's statement. After reading these statements, I can understand the basic form of it. Also, I saw the Amy Guggenheim's video. She mentioned about many important ideas about artist's statement which were very helpful for me. At that class, I could not only learn how to write my statement, but also practice my english.
In the class, I talked about my idea with my classmates and I got feedback form them, also, they got the feedback from me. It was very good practice for me, because to study in the US, this skill is very important. For example, we read others' statements and use our own opinion to gave feedback. We had good interaction with each other. Also, group discussion is very important. I can learn how to negotiate idea with my group members and how to cooperate with my classmates as a team work.
I like the artist's statement presentation. In the presentation, I understood my classmates more, I knew their ideas about art, what are they studying right now, it was very interesting. As a painter, the artist's statement is very important fro me, and I am glad that I have my basic version of statement now. As the teacher said before, I will have many chances to do my presentation in the future, so I think it is good for me to practice it as soon as possible.
As a graduate student, I need many skills for doing my study, and I think the english class can really help me to learn these skills.
REFLECTION ON ARTIST STATEMENT
I have attended the english class for one month and I learned a lot. I was so surprised that this english class is not like the traditional english class, for example, there were no text books and we did not sit there and listen to what the teacher said. We had to discuss our opinions with each other, we had to do practice that combine with reading, listening and writing skills, also, we had to do the research by ourselves. Although it was a challenge for me, I still felt good. I think it is a efficient way to improve my english ability.
For the artist's statement assignment, we read some artist's statements at first. I think it is helpful for writing our own statement. There are different components and styles in a artist's statement. After reading these statements, I can understand the basic form of it. Also, I saw the Amy Guggenheim's video. She mentioned about many important ideas about artist's statement which were very helpful for me. At that class, I could not only learn how to write my statement, but also practice my english.
In the class, I talked about my idea with my classmates and I got feedback form them, also, they got the feedback from me. It was very good practice for me, because to study in the US, this skill is very important. For example, we read others' statements and use our own opinion to gave feedback. We had good interaction with each other. Also, group discussion is very important. I can learn how to negotiate idea with my group members and how to cooperate with my classmates as a team work.
I like the artist's statement presentation. In the presentation, I understood my classmates more, I knew their ideas about art, what are they studying right now, it was very interesting. As a painter, the artist's statement is very important fro me, and I am glad that I have my basic version of statement now. As the teacher said before, I will have many chances to do my presentation in the future, so I think it is good for me to practice it as soon as possible.
As a graduate student, I need many skills for doing my study, and I think the english class can really help me to learn these skills.
Thesis Paper 5th draft
The Power of Kawaii
How Does Japanese Popular Culture influence Taiwanese Contemporary Artists?
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Thomas Healy
November 29, 2007
The Power of Kawaii 1
Introduction
Today, the Japanese cultural icons Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese popular culture, which includes comics, animation, movies, street fashion and toys, is internationally known and is becoming more influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own popular culture as the inspiration in their artwork and get positive responses. The most famous of them, Takashi Murakami, is one such example. He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has had a great influence, and has inspired many other contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture. This phenomenon is unavoidable; the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think this phenomenon is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed from mixed rourcess and Taiwanese people can accept different styles from other countries easily. The culture invasion also affects my painting which is influenced by Japanese pop culture. For instance, I use the flat style and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese multiculture.
Japanese pop culture
The traditional images of Japan has been the military nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, it's status has been changing. With the development of a tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture has become a huge power and now has drawn global interest. Pop culture such as manga (comics), animation and games is now becoming the symbol of Japan. Nakamura (2004), executive director of Stanford Japan Center reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the following points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; 'otaku', who are the obsessive 'maniac' comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less
The Power of Kawaii 2
regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". This phenomena happens in Taiwan, too. As well, Kelts (2006) reported that Japanese pop culture is full of animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, whose fame is based on cartoonish characters in his artwork is an example of "kawaii", which means cute in Japanese (Figure 1). Murakami unveiled his work "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibition in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e (Japanese traditional printing) and Japanese contemporary comics share the same characteristics: flat, delicate and detailed. Also, Murakami advocates an idea from the Pop Art movement, which is making art become more popular. Murakami was inspired by popular Japanese culture, for example, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy" (Phoenix, 2006). He combines art and commercial products, transfering his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to let the gereral public have more opportunity to buy artwork. However, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that art is business, and artists need money to continue making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing jobs and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to gain exposure.
The Power of Kawaii 3
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami
How Japanese pop culture affects Taiwanese culture
The Japanese, who are good at promoting their products, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which is located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend. Taiwanese culture is related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colonial culture. The most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is that it is a multiculture. Recently, the economies of China, Korea and Japan have been growing, which has created a cultural invation and Taiwan has benefited from cultures surrounding them. This appears most in the younger generation. For example, many youths follow Japanese fashion, wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style. Most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games. Some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Taiwan as they are in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
The Power of Kawaii 4
How Japanese pop culture and Murakami affect my painting
Like Murakami, I am also influenced by Japanese popular culture. Murakami as a Japanese, directly shows viewers the Japanese pop cultuer; I as a Taiwanese, show my viewers the influence from Japanese pop culture. I have enjoyed Japanese pop culture since I was a child. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those delicate, imaginative and entertaining products. When I paint, these enjoyable experiences become my inspiration, which discribe the relationship between reality and illusion. People interact with virtual worlds everyday, espacially using computers and games. Most of this virtual cartoonish characters in computers and video games are from Japan. I think it is interesting to consider this topic, as it relies on the Japanese pop culture invasion. My painting style is flat, like Murakami's superflat style, because of the influence from comics and animation. Using flat cartoonish characters can make my painting look like comics, which are humorous and make viewers feel fun and relaxed (Figure 2). In addition, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and commercial. I think popularity and commercialism can help each other. If art is popular, people would have more of a chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork is like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, the general public would understand more about art. I am planning to make my artwork into commercial products and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
The Power of Kawaii 5
Figure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops it into art that provokes the attention of the whole world. A culture invasion is unavoidable, especially the Japanese popular culture that occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead, I enjoy the multiculture. Taiwanese culture is becoming multicultural and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experencing different cultures and expressing my feeling by painting.
The Power of Kawaii 6
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global
Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami. http://www.saatchi-
gallery.co.uk/blogon/upload/2006/06/murakami1.jpg
Fugure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
How Does Japanese Popular Culture influence Taiwanese Contemporary Artists?
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Thomas Healy
November 29, 2007
The Power of Kawaii 1
Introduction
Today, the Japanese cultural icons Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese popular culture, which includes comics, animation, movies, street fashion and toys, is internationally known and is becoming more influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own popular culture as the inspiration in their artwork and get positive responses. The most famous of them, Takashi Murakami, is one such example. He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has had a great influence, and has inspired many other contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture. This phenomenon is unavoidable; the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think this phenomenon is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed from mixed rourcess and Taiwanese people can accept different styles from other countries easily. The culture invasion also affects my painting which is influenced by Japanese pop culture. For instance, I use the flat style and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese multiculture.
Japanese pop culture
The traditional images of Japan has been the military nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, it's status has been changing. With the development of a tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture has become a huge power and now has drawn global interest. Pop culture such as manga (comics), animation and games is now becoming the symbol of Japan. Nakamura (2004), executive director of Stanford Japan Center reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the following points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; 'otaku', who are the obsessive 'maniac' comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less
The Power of Kawaii 2
regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". This phenomena happens in Taiwan, too. As well, Kelts (2006) reported that Japanese pop culture is full of animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, whose fame is based on cartoonish characters in his artwork is an example of "kawaii", which means cute in Japanese (Figure 1). Murakami unveiled his work "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibition in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e (Japanese traditional printing) and Japanese contemporary comics share the same characteristics: flat, delicate and detailed. Also, Murakami advocates an idea from the Pop Art movement, which is making art become more popular. Murakami was inspired by popular Japanese culture, for example, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy" (Phoenix, 2006). He combines art and commercial products, transfering his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to let the gereral public have more opportunity to buy artwork. However, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that art is business, and artists need money to continue making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing jobs and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to gain exposure.
The Power of Kawaii 3
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami
How Japanese pop culture affects Taiwanese culture
The Japanese, who are good at promoting their products, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which is located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend. Taiwanese culture is related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colonial culture. The most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is that it is a multiculture. Recently, the economies of China, Korea and Japan have been growing, which has created a cultural invation and Taiwan has benefited from cultures surrounding them. This appears most in the younger generation. For example, many youths follow Japanese fashion, wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style. Most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games. Some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Taiwan as they are in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
The Power of Kawaii 4
How Japanese pop culture and Murakami affect my painting
Like Murakami, I am also influenced by Japanese popular culture. Murakami as a Japanese, directly shows viewers the Japanese pop cultuer; I as a Taiwanese, show my viewers the influence from Japanese pop culture. I have enjoyed Japanese pop culture since I was a child. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those delicate, imaginative and entertaining products. When I paint, these enjoyable experiences become my inspiration, which discribe the relationship between reality and illusion. People interact with virtual worlds everyday, espacially using computers and games. Most of this virtual cartoonish characters in computers and video games are from Japan. I think it is interesting to consider this topic, as it relies on the Japanese pop culture invasion. My painting style is flat, like Murakami's superflat style, because of the influence from comics and animation. Using flat cartoonish characters can make my painting look like comics, which are humorous and make viewers feel fun and relaxed (Figure 2). In addition, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and commercial. I think popularity and commercialism can help each other. If art is popular, people would have more of a chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork is like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, the general public would understand more about art. I am planning to make my artwork into commercial products and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
The Power of Kawaii 5
Figure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops it into art that provokes the attention of the whole world. A culture invasion is unavoidable, especially the Japanese popular culture that occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead, I enjoy the multiculture. Taiwanese culture is becoming multicultural and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experencing different cultures and expressing my feeling by painting.
The Power of Kawaii 6
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global
Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami. http://www.saatchi-
gallery.co.uk/blogon/upload/2006/06/murakami1.jpg
Fugure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
2007年11月30日 星期五
Thesis paper 4th draft
The Power of Kawaii
How Does Japanese Popular Culture influence Contemporary Art?
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Thomas Healy
November 29, 2007
The Power of Kawaii 1
Introduction
Todays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese popular culture, which includes comics, animation, movies, street fashion and toys, is internationally known and is becoming more influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own popular cultures as the inspiration in their artwork and have positive responses. The most famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami, is one such example. He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has had a great influence on contemporary art, and has inspired many contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture. This phenomenon is unavoidable, the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think this phenomenon is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed by mixed cultures and Taiwanese people can accept different cultural styles from other countries easily. The culture invasion also affects my painting which is influenced by Japanese pop culture. For instance, I use the flat style and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images of Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the develoment of a tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture have become huge power and now drawn global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animation and games are now becoming the symbols of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and
The Power of Kawaii 2
the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". This phenomena
happens in Taiwan, too. As well, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture is full of animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, created cartoonish characters in his artwork(Fighre 1). His artwork is very "kawaii", which means cute in Japanese. Murakami unveiled his work "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e (Japanese traditional printing) and Japanese contemporary comics share the same characteristics, flat, delicated and detailed. Also, Murakami advocates the idea of Pop Art movement, which is making art become more popular. According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami was inspired by popular Japanese culture, for example, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." He combines art and commercial products, transfering his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to let the gereral public have more opportunity to buy artwork. However, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that art is business, and artists need money to continue making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing jobs and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to gain exposure.
The Power of Kawaii 3
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami
How Japanese subculture affects Taiwanese culture
The Japanese, who are good at promoting their products, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which is located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which is related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colonial culture. The most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is that it is a multiculture. Recently, the economies of China, Korea and Japan have been growing, which bring up the culture invation and Taiwan has benefited from cultures surrounding them. This is most appears in the younger generation. For example, many youths follow Japanese fashion, wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style. Most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games. Some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Taiwan as they are in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
The Power of Kawaii 4
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
While Murakami shows viewers the Japanese subcultuer, I show my viewers the influence from Japanese subculture. I have enjoyed Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those delicate, imaginative and entertaining products. When I do paint, these enjoyable experiences become my inspiration, which discribe the relationship between reality and illusion. People interact with virtual worlds everyday, espacially using computers and games. I think it is interesting to consider this topic, as it relies on the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, like Murakami's superflat style, because of the influence from comics and animation. Using flat cartoonish characters can make my painting look like comics, which have humorous and make viewers feel fun and relax (Figure 2). In addition, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and commercial. I think popularity and commercialism can help each other. If art is popular, people would have more of a chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork is like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, the general public would understand more about art. I am planning to make my artwork into commercial products and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
The Power of Kawaii 5
Figure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
The Power of Kawaii 6
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global
Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami. http://www.saatchi-
gallery.co.uk/blogon/upload/2006/06/murakami1.jpg
Fugure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
How Does Japanese Popular Culture influence Contemporary Art?
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Thomas Healy
November 29, 2007
The Power of Kawaii 1
Introduction
Todays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese popular culture, which includes comics, animation, movies, street fashion and toys, is internationally known and is becoming more influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own popular cultures as the inspiration in their artwork and have positive responses. The most famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami, is one such example. He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has had a great influence on contemporary art, and has inspired many contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture. This phenomenon is unavoidable, the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think this phenomenon is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed by mixed cultures and Taiwanese people can accept different cultural styles from other countries easily. The culture invasion also affects my painting which is influenced by Japanese pop culture. For instance, I use the flat style and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images of Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the develoment of a tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture have become huge power and now drawn global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animation and games are now becoming the symbols of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and
The Power of Kawaii 2
the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". This phenomena
happens in Taiwan, too. As well, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture is full of animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, created cartoonish characters in his artwork(Fighre 1). His artwork is very "kawaii", which means cute in Japanese. Murakami unveiled his work "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e (Japanese traditional printing) and Japanese contemporary comics share the same characteristics, flat, delicated and detailed. Also, Murakami advocates the idea of Pop Art movement, which is making art become more popular. According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami was inspired by popular Japanese culture, for example, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." He combines art and commercial products, transfering his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to let the gereral public have more opportunity to buy artwork. However, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that art is business, and artists need money to continue making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing jobs and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to gain exposure.
The Power of Kawaii 3
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami
How Japanese subculture affects Taiwanese culture
The Japanese, who are good at promoting their products, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which is located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which is related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colonial culture. The most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is that it is a multiculture. Recently, the economies of China, Korea and Japan have been growing, which bring up the culture invation and Taiwan has benefited from cultures surrounding them. This is most appears in the younger generation. For example, many youths follow Japanese fashion, wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style. Most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games. Some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Taiwan as they are in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
The Power of Kawaii 4
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
While Murakami shows viewers the Japanese subcultuer, I show my viewers the influence from Japanese subculture. I have enjoyed Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those delicate, imaginative and entertaining products. When I do paint, these enjoyable experiences become my inspiration, which discribe the relationship between reality and illusion. People interact with virtual worlds everyday, espacially using computers and games. I think it is interesting to consider this topic, as it relies on the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, like Murakami's superflat style, because of the influence from comics and animation. Using flat cartoonish characters can make my painting look like comics, which have humorous and make viewers feel fun and relax (Figure 2). In addition, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and commercial. I think popularity and commercialism can help each other. If art is popular, people would have more of a chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork is like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, the general public would understand more about art. I am planning to make my artwork into commercial products and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
The Power of Kawaii 5
Figure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
The Power of Kawaii 6
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global
Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
Figure 1. Kaikai Kiki News, 2002, Takashi Murakami. http://www.saatchi-
gallery.co.uk/blogon/upload/2006/06/murakami1.jpg
Fugure 2. HU, 2006, Hsin-Wei Hsu, 162x130cm
REFLECTION OF ARTIST STATEMENT
HSIN-WEI HSU
REFLECTION
I have attended the english class for one month and I learned a lot. I was so surprised that this english class is not like the traditional english class, for example, there were no text books and we did not sit there and listen to what the teacher said. We had to discuss our opinions with each other, we had to do practice that combine with reading, listening and writing skills, also, we had to do the research by ourselves. Although it was a challenge for me, I still felt good. I think it is a efficient way to improve my english ability.
For the artist's statement assignment, we read some artist's statements at first. I think it is helpful for writing our own statement. There are different components and styles in a artist's statement. After reading these statements, I can understand the basic form of it. Also, I saw the Amy Guggenheim's video. She mentioned about many important ideas about artist's statement which were very helpful for me. At that class, I could not only learn how to write my statement, but also practice my english.
In the class, I talked about my idea with my classmates and I got feedback form them, also, they got the feedback from me. It was very good practice for me, because to study in the US, this skill is very important. For example, we read others' statements and use our own opinion to gave feedback. We had good interaction with each other. Also, group discussion is very important. I can learn how to negotiate idea with my group members and how to cooperate with my classmates as a team work.
I like the artist's statement presentation. In the presentation, I understood my classmates more, I knew their ideas about art, what are they studying right now, it was very interesting. As a painter, the artist's statement is very important fro me, and I am glad that I have my basic version of statement now. As the teacher said before, I will have many chances to do my presentation in the future, so I think it is good for me to practice it as soon as possible.
As a graduate student, I need many skills for doing my study, and I think the english class can really help me to learn these skills.
REFLECTION
I have attended the english class for one month and I learned a lot. I was so surprised that this english class is not like the traditional english class, for example, there were no text books and we did not sit there and listen to what the teacher said. We had to discuss our opinions with each other, we had to do practice that combine with reading, listening and writing skills, also, we had to do the research by ourselves. Although it was a challenge for me, I still felt good. I think it is a efficient way to improve my english ability.
For the artist's statement assignment, we read some artist's statements at first. I think it is helpful for writing our own statement. There are different components and styles in a artist's statement. After reading these statements, I can understand the basic form of it. Also, I saw the Amy Guggenheim's video. She mentioned about many important ideas about artist's statement which were very helpful for me. At that class, I could not only learn how to write my statement, but also practice my english.
In the class, I talked about my idea with my classmates and I got feedback form them, also, they got the feedback from me. It was very good practice for me, because to study in the US, this skill is very important. For example, we read others' statements and use our own opinion to gave feedback. We had good interaction with each other. Also, group discussion is very important. I can learn how to negotiate idea with my group members and how to cooperate with my classmates as a team work.
I like the artist's statement presentation. In the presentation, I understood my classmates more, I knew their ideas about art, what are they studying right now, it was very interesting. As a painter, the artist's statement is very important fro me, and I am glad that I have my basic version of statement now. As the teacher said before, I will have many chances to do my presentation in the future, so I think it is good for me to practice it as soon as possible.
As a graduate student, I need many skills for doing my study, and I think the english class can really help me to learn these skills.
2007年11月29日 星期四
RESEARCH PAPER FINAL
Toys Become Art
Changes of Toy Design and Toy Consumers
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Sang Kim
October 22, 2007
Introduction
Walking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Art toys or design toys have been developing recently. According to one study (Crawford, 2005), art toys have been popular since the early 2005. This phenomenon is a part of a subculture trend which includes urban art, street fashion, alternative comics, music, contemporary art and design. Art toys appeared in Tokyo and Hong Kong first, then they became popular throughout all the world. In 2000, some Japanese streetwear stores created their original toys as promotional items for their apparel labels. At the same time, a group of toy collectors and shop owners in Hong Kong held toy conventions to show their wares. Some toy designers were influenced by what was happening in Japan, and created their own original art toys. Toys, now a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art. They not only have become mediums of art making, but also inspirations for artists. Woodrow Phoenix (2006) ,who is a artist and a writer, has reported that "plastic objects are able to effortlessly assume forms and ideas of intense complexity or extreme simplicity, which means they can travel from an initial blank beginning to occupy emotionally and intellectually satisfying territory in a way we traditionally demand of art" (p. 11). Toys have even become artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made. His artwork provides a conception in which toys can be a form of art, and people have started to know about art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys relies on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials that can be used. The artistic design has become the reason that not only children like toys, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing; some parents buy toys for themselves. With the expanding of the art toys market, toy design is becoming a new popular job. Some designers have unique styles, like Michael Lau and Kaws who are very successful. Also, Medicom Toy Company, which has been making art toys since 1996, is the most famous manufacturer..
Body Paragraph
Changes in Design
The design between common toys and art toys is different, because the function of each group is different. It is true that design is based on function. Art toys do not have to be safe or have developmental functions, because they are not made only for children. Some of them are like statues which are not movable, and even if some have joints, they are not totally movable, and the propose is only to make some specific poses. Also, Art Toys can be decorations which have the same function as artwork. If toys are not meant to played with, the safety and educational functions are not necessary. The designs of art toys are focused on the special shape, beautiful colors , different poses and details which are like the way that artists make their artwork. Some famous toys designers even show their own style which makes people able to discriminate them easily, just like when you see Van Gogh's unique touch, you can tell it is his painting.
Art toys are more delicate and detailed than common toys, and also the size and weight are different. Common toys usually smaller and lighter, because most of the users are children. In art toys, size and weight have no limit, it all depends on the designer's idea. A big art toy could be 70cm high, and the weight could be about 10 kg like the 1000% BE@RBRICK(Figure 1-3) which made by MEDICOM TOY. In art toys, colors are painted carefully, even the edge between two colors is very carefully crafted. Some of them have many small replacement components which can change the toy's appearance or pose.
The materials of toymaking are also changing. The common material has been vinyl, PVC and ABS, which are kinds of plastic, and they are still popular toy materials now. Some toys were made of tin or superalloy, but at that time, the technique was not good, so the toys' shape and movement were limited. However, with the development of toymaking technique, these problems have been solved. Besides, the mold making skill has been improving. Compared with common toys, art toys are weaker. Having many delicated details and components leads them to be unable to suffer impacts; however, common toys are stronger, because they are made for children who need endurability and for safety cannot have and small parts. Also, some art toys combine different materials together. They use the vinyl to make the main body, then use superalloy for the apparel. Some real action figures' apparel is even made of real leather, silk or denim.
Changes in Consumers
Changes in consumers is also a reason of art toys developing. Before art toys appeared, the toys' main users were children. However, after art toys created a trend through all the world, toys are not only for children anymore. Young people and adults purchase or collect them. According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), art toys create a new conception for toys. Toys, which are commercial objects, are transformed into art. Some are made based on comic , movie or animation characters; these can give young people and adults nostagic feelings. Through collecting, people can feel satisfaction. Also, art toys have another reason that they attract people; they can make fantasies become true (p. 27). They can satisfy young people's and adults' imagination; they can make monsters, super heroes, robots and animation characters become objects which can be touched and exhibited.
Art toys have s wide connection to subcultures, suck as those of movies, animations and street fashions. Many companies work in cooperation with toy companies, which produce limited editions to attract customers. People who are addicted to these subculture products can have a lot of opportunities to be involved in art toys. Recently, even some famous exclusive brands have been collaborating with toys companies, for example, in June 2007, CHANEL(Figure 1), CARTIER(Figure 2), COACH(Figure 3) and some famous brands had special projects with Medicom Toy Company. They made different 1000% BE@RBRICK toys for charity bazaar.
Art Toy Designers
Art toy designers use the same as artists use to create artwork. Michael Lau, Kaws and Medicom Toy Company are among the best known for following this process. They have became the symbol of art toys and have a great influence in the field.
Michael Lau
Michael Lau(Figure 4) works out of Hong Kong. He was one of the originators of art toys. He created his first cartoonish figures in 1999, the "Gardeners", twelve-inch vinyl characters dressed in urban fashions with tattoos, had great success. He combined art, toys and fashion, which made collectors see a new style of toys and art lovers see a new medium for representation of contemporary spirit.
Figure 4. Michael Lau
Kaws (US)
This trend not only appeared in Hong Kong, but also in the US. Brooklynite Kaws designs many unique toy figures which present his special style. In 1999, he released his first vinyl toy, "Companion"(Figure 5), in partnership with Tokyo's Bounty Hunter. That established his position as a founding figure in the art toy movement.
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
MEDICOM TOY (JP)
MEDICOM TOY is a toy making company which has established in 1996, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It makes many unique and creative toys that have created a new trend throughout the world. It brings together fine art, fashion design and urban culture. Cooperating with artists from different fields is one of the distinguishing features.
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo
Conclusion
Toys have been developing into art productions which have unique design and artistic styles, also, the consumers and users have been changing. Some famous art toy designers like Michael Lau and Kaws create their own styles in toys, which make them like artwork and raise their status. McCormick (2006) reported that "Vinyl figures might be trivialized as toys, but by lineage and legacy this is actually the kind of subgenre that belongs to the species of artists' multiples".Art Toys have been developed only for 7 years, they still suggested new issues. It seems reasonable that they connect art and fun together, and provide people an opportunity to own a piece of art. In the future, Art Toys could play an important role in culture, and also, be an essential medium for art.
Reference List
McCormick, C. (2006). Vinyl rules: surrogate sculptures and the manufacture of
ldentity.FullVinyl: The Subcersive Art of Designer Toys, 118-125
Crawford, J. (2005). Introduction. Toys New Desugns from the Art Toy Revolution.
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese
Toys Conquered the World, 27-29
Figure 1. Coach 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 2. Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 3. Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 4. Michael Lau, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020318-
216350,00.html
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/original-fake-4-feet-kaws-companion-figure
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo, http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/index2.html
Changes of Toy Design and Toy Consumers
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Sang Kim
October 22, 2007
Introduction
Walking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Art toys or design toys have been developing recently. According to one study (Crawford, 2005), art toys have been popular since the early 2005. This phenomenon is a part of a subculture trend which includes urban art, street fashion, alternative comics, music, contemporary art and design. Art toys appeared in Tokyo and Hong Kong first, then they became popular throughout all the world. In 2000, some Japanese streetwear stores created their original toys as promotional items for their apparel labels. At the same time, a group of toy collectors and shop owners in Hong Kong held toy conventions to show their wares. Some toy designers were influenced by what was happening in Japan, and created their own original art toys. Toys, now a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art. They not only have become mediums of art making, but also inspirations for artists. Woodrow Phoenix (2006) ,who is a artist and a writer, has reported that "plastic objects are able to effortlessly assume forms and ideas of intense complexity or extreme simplicity, which means they can travel from an initial blank beginning to occupy emotionally and intellectually satisfying territory in a way we traditionally demand of art" (p. 11). Toys have even become artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made. His artwork provides a conception in which toys can be a form of art, and people have started to know about art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys relies on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials that can be used. The artistic design has become the reason that not only children like toys, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing; some parents buy toys for themselves. With the expanding of the art toys market, toy design is becoming a new popular job. Some designers have unique styles, like Michael Lau and Kaws who are very successful. Also, Medicom Toy Company, which has been making art toys since 1996, is the most famous manufacturer..
Body Paragraph
Changes in Design
The design between common toys and art toys is different, because the function of each group is different. It is true that design is based on function. Art toys do not have to be safe or have developmental functions, because they are not made only for children. Some of them are like statues which are not movable, and even if some have joints, they are not totally movable, and the propose is only to make some specific poses. Also, Art Toys can be decorations which have the same function as artwork. If toys are not meant to played with, the safety and educational functions are not necessary. The designs of art toys are focused on the special shape, beautiful colors , different poses and details which are like the way that artists make their artwork. Some famous toys designers even show their own style which makes people able to discriminate them easily, just like when you see Van Gogh's unique touch, you can tell it is his painting.
Art toys are more delicate and detailed than common toys, and also the size and weight are different. Common toys usually smaller and lighter, because most of the users are children. In art toys, size and weight have no limit, it all depends on the designer's idea. A big art toy could be 70cm high, and the weight could be about 10 kg like the 1000% BE@RBRICK(Figure 1-3) which made by MEDICOM TOY. In art toys, colors are painted carefully, even the edge between two colors is very carefully crafted. Some of them have many small replacement components which can change the toy's appearance or pose.
The materials of toymaking are also changing. The common material has been vinyl, PVC and ABS, which are kinds of plastic, and they are still popular toy materials now. Some toys were made of tin or superalloy, but at that time, the technique was not good, so the toys' shape and movement were limited. However, with the development of toymaking technique, these problems have been solved. Besides, the mold making skill has been improving. Compared with common toys, art toys are weaker. Having many delicated details and components leads them to be unable to suffer impacts; however, common toys are stronger, because they are made for children who need endurability and for safety cannot have and small parts. Also, some art toys combine different materials together. They use the vinyl to make the main body, then use superalloy for the apparel. Some real action figures' apparel is even made of real leather, silk or denim.
Changes in Consumers
Changes in consumers is also a reason of art toys developing. Before art toys appeared, the toys' main users were children. However, after art toys created a trend through all the world, toys are not only for children anymore. Young people and adults purchase or collect them. According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), art toys create a new conception for toys. Toys, which are commercial objects, are transformed into art. Some are made based on comic , movie or animation characters; these can give young people and adults nostagic feelings. Through collecting, people can feel satisfaction. Also, art toys have another reason that they attract people; they can make fantasies become true (p. 27). They can satisfy young people's and adults' imagination; they can make monsters, super heroes, robots and animation characters become objects which can be touched and exhibited.
Art toys have s wide connection to subcultures, suck as those of movies, animations and street fashions. Many companies work in cooperation with toy companies, which produce limited editions to attract customers. People who are addicted to these subculture products can have a lot of opportunities to be involved in art toys. Recently, even some famous exclusive brands have been collaborating with toys companies, for example, in June 2007, CHANEL(Figure 1), CARTIER(Figure 2), COACH(Figure 3) and some famous brands had special projects with Medicom Toy Company. They made different 1000% BE@RBRICK toys for charity bazaar.
Art Toy Designers
Art toy designers use the same as artists use to create artwork. Michael Lau, Kaws and Medicom Toy Company are among the best known for following this process. They have became the symbol of art toys and have a great influence in the field.
Michael Lau
Michael Lau(Figure 4) works out of Hong Kong. He was one of the originators of art toys. He created his first cartoonish figures in 1999, the "Gardeners", twelve-inch vinyl characters dressed in urban fashions with tattoos, had great success. He combined art, toys and fashion, which made collectors see a new style of toys and art lovers see a new medium for representation of contemporary spirit.
Figure 4. Michael Lau
Kaws (US)
This trend not only appeared in Hong Kong, but also in the US. Brooklynite Kaws designs many unique toy figures which present his special style. In 1999, he released his first vinyl toy, "Companion"(Figure 5), in partnership with Tokyo's Bounty Hunter. That established his position as a founding figure in the art toy movement.
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
MEDICOM TOY (JP)
MEDICOM TOY is a toy making company which has established in 1996, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It makes many unique and creative toys that have created a new trend throughout the world. It brings together fine art, fashion design and urban culture. Cooperating with artists from different fields is one of the distinguishing features.
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo
Conclusion
Toys have been developing into art productions which have unique design and artistic styles, also, the consumers and users have been changing. Some famous art toy designers like Michael Lau and Kaws create their own styles in toys, which make them like artwork and raise their status. McCormick (2006) reported that "Vinyl figures might be trivialized as toys, but by lineage and legacy this is actually the kind of subgenre that belongs to the species of artists' multiples".Art Toys have been developed only for 7 years, they still suggested new issues. It seems reasonable that they connect art and fun together, and provide people an opportunity to own a piece of art. In the future, Art Toys could play an important role in culture, and also, be an essential medium for art.
Reference List
McCormick, C. (2006). Vinyl rules: surrogate sculptures and the manufacture of
ldentity.FullVinyl: The Subcersive Art of Designer Toys, 118-125
Crawford, J. (2005). Introduction. Toys New Desugns from the Art Toy Revolution.
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese
Toys Conquered the World, 27-29
Figure 1. Coach 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 2. Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 3. Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 4. Michael Lau, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020318-
216350,00.html
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/original-fake-4-feet-kaws-companion-figure
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo, http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/index2.html
2007年11月28日 星期三
THESIS (3RD DRAFT) FEEDBACK FORM THOMAS
Hsin-Wei Hsu
[Please see the model essay, so that you can format this according to APA guidelines]
The Power of Kawaii [ Good title]
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includes comics, animation, movies, street fashion and toys are internationally known and have the cartoonish character. Besides, Japanese popular culture is becoming influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own subculture as the idea [inspiration?] in their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami, successfully deals with this issue. [But it’s an influence, not an issue…?] He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has had a great influence on the contemporary art, and has inspired many contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think it [what?] is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed by mixed culture and Taiwanese can accept different culture styles from other countries easily. It [what?] also affects my painting which contains some parts [ you need to say influences] of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture ???? and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture. [You need to define and explain Falt]
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images about Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the developing [develoment]] of a tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture becoming [check grammatical form ] huge power and now drawing [here too] global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animations and games now becoming [here too] the symbols of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". [Remember the quote sandwich- you need to explain/ interpret this quote] Besides, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture fulls??? with animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane. [But your essay is about Taiwan….what’s the connection?]
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, created cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced [is this the correct verb] "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e (Japanese traditional painting—This is not accurate. Ukiyo-e is a kind of printing not painting) and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. [Be careful of sentence structure ]Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. [???] According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from as the Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial and transfer [verb agreement!] his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make people [can you think of a more precise, academic word] have more opportunity to buy artwork; [Should the next part be a new paragraph?] however, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that use the art is commercial, and artists need money for making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing cases and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to become famous.
How Japanese subculture affects Taiwanese culture
The Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which is located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. [From what?] The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related [incorrect tense] to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is that it is a multiculture. Recently, the economy of China, Korea and Japan has [subject/verb agreement!] been raising, which bring up the culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. [“Suffer” is not correct.] The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. [This doesn’t make sense]. For example, many youth [should this noun be plural or singular?] follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan. [Please rethink this. ]Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultuer, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I have been enjoyed [be careful of tense] the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those delicate, imaginative and entertaining products. which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I make [ can you think of a more appropriate verb] my painting, these enjoyable experience [please be careful of agreement!] become my inspiration which give me the ideas about ??? the relationship between reality and illusion. People who live in the reality world???, usually get along with many unreal stuffs such as the virtual world made from computer, the 3D CG bikini girls in the video games or the giant horrible monsters in the animation. [I don’t understand this part] I think it is interesting to discuss [ is this what you really mean to say? ] this topic, also, it [what does?] relies on the the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, which like Murakami's superflat style, because of the great influence from comics and animation. Through Using flat cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal ??? feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax.[you need to rewrite this, AND also explain more . Why does this artistic technique influence the viewers in this way?] Besides, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and art is commercial. I think popularity and commercial can help each other. If art is popular, which everybody knows and enjoys it, than people would have more of a chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork [add verb] like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, people would understand more about art. I am planing to make my artwork into commercial [needa noun here] and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
[Please see the model essay, so that you can format this according to APA guidelines]
The Power of Kawaii [ Good title]
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includes comics, animation, movies, street fashion and toys are internationally known and have the cartoonish character. Besides, Japanese popular culture is becoming influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own subculture as the idea [inspiration?] in their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami, successfully deals with this issue. [But it’s an influence, not an issue…?] He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has had a great influence on the contemporary art, and has inspired many contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think it [what?] is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed by mixed culture and Taiwanese can accept different culture styles from other countries easily. It [what?] also affects my painting which contains some parts [ you need to say influences] of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture ???? and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture. [You need to define and explain Falt]
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images about Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the developing [develoment]] of a tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture becoming [check grammatical form ] huge power and now drawing [here too] global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animations and games now becoming [here too] the symbols of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". [Remember the quote sandwich- you need to explain/ interpret this quote] Besides, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture fulls??? with animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane. [But your essay is about Taiwan….what’s the connection?]
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, created cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced [is this the correct verb] "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e (Japanese traditional painting—This is not accurate. Ukiyo-e is a kind of printing not painting) and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. [Be careful of sentence structure ]Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. [???] According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from as the Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial and transfer [verb agreement!] his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make people [can you think of a more precise, academic word] have more opportunity to buy artwork; [Should the next part be a new paragraph?] however, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that use the art is commercial, and artists need money for making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing cases and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to become famous.
How Japanese subculture affects Taiwanese culture
The Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which is located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. [From what?] The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related [incorrect tense] to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is that it is a multiculture. Recently, the economy of China, Korea and Japan has [subject/verb agreement!] been raising, which bring up the culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. [“Suffer” is not correct.] The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. [This doesn’t make sense]. For example, many youth [should this noun be plural or singular?] follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan. [Please rethink this. ]Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultuer, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I have been enjoyed [be careful of tense] the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those delicate, imaginative and entertaining products. which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I make [ can you think of a more appropriate verb] my painting, these enjoyable experience [please be careful of agreement!] become my inspiration which give me the ideas about ??? the relationship between reality and illusion. People who live in the reality world???, usually get along with many unreal stuffs such as the virtual world made from computer, the 3D CG bikini girls in the video games or the giant horrible monsters in the animation. [I don’t understand this part] I think it is interesting to discuss [ is this what you really mean to say? ] this topic, also, it [what does?] relies on the the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, which like Murakami's superflat style, because of the great influence from comics and animation. Through Using flat cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal ??? feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax.[you need to rewrite this, AND also explain more . Why does this artistic technique influence the viewers in this way?] Besides, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and art is commercial. I think popularity and commercial can help each other. If art is popular, which everybody knows and enjoys it, than people would have more of a chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork [add verb] like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, people would understand more about art. I am planing to make my artwork into commercial [needa noun here] and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
2007年11月26日 星期一
Thesis paper 3rd draft
Hsin-Wei Hsu
The Power of Kawaii
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includ comic, animation, movies, street fashion and toys are internationally know and have the cartoonish character. Besides, Japanese popular culture is becoming influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own subculture as the idea in their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami, successfully deals with this issue. He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has great influence on the contemporary art, and inspire many contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think it is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed by mixed culture and Taiwanese can accept different culture styles from other countries easily. It also affects my painting which contains some parts of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images about Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the developing of tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture becoming a huge power and now drawing global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animations and games now becoming the symbol of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". Besides, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture fulls with animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, created cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e(Japanese traditional painting) and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. According one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial and transfer his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make people have more opportunity to buy artwork; however, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that use the art is commercial, and artists need money for making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing cases and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to become famous.
How Japanese subculture affects Taiwanese culture
Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also the animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is a multiculture. Recently, the economy of China, Korea and Japan has been raising, which bring up the culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. For example, many youth follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultur, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I have been enjoyed the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those entertaining products which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I make my painting, these enjoyable experience become my inspiration which give me the ideas about the relationship between reality and illusion. People who live in the reality world, usually get along with many unreal stuffs such as the virtual world made from computer, the 3D CG bikini girls in the video games or the giant horrible monsters in the animation. I think it is interesting to discuss this topic, also, it relies on the the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, which like Murakami's superflat style, because of the great influence from comics and animations. Through using flat cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax. Besides, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and art is commercial. I think popularity and commercial can help each other. If art is popular, which everybody knows and enjoys it, than people would have more chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, people would understand more about art. I am planing to make my artwork into commercial and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
The Power of Kawaii
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includ comic, animation, movies, street fashion and toys are internationally know and have the cartoonish character. Besides, Japanese popular culture is becoming influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists use their own subculture as the idea in their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami, successfully deals with this issue. He displays cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His flat cartoonish style has great influence on the contemporary art, and inspire many contemporary artists. As a Taiwanese, I feel a strong influence from Japanese subculture; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is unstoppable. However, I think it is good, because Taiwanese culture was formed by mixed culture and Taiwanese can accept different culture styles from other countries easily. It also affects my painting which contains some parts of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images about Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the developing of tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture becoming a huge power and now drawing global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animations and games now becoming the symbol of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". Besides, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture fulls with animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, created cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e(Japanese traditional painting) and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. According one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial and transfer his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make people have more opportunity to buy artwork; however, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that use the art is commercial, and artists need money for making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he supports many young artists by providing cases and exhibitions which make them have more opportunities to become famous.
How Japanese subculture affects Taiwanese culture
Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. They not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also the animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is a multiculture. Recently, the economy of China, Korea and Japan has been raising, which bring up the culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. For example, many youth follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; most comics in Taiwan are come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultur, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I have been enjoyed the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those entertaining products which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I make my painting, these enjoyable experience become my inspiration which give me the ideas about the relationship between reality and illusion. People who live in the reality world, usually get along with many unreal stuffs such as the virtual world made from computer, the 3D CG bikini girls in the video games or the giant horrible monsters in the animation. I think it is interesting to discuss this topic, also, it relies on the the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, which like Murakami's superflat style, because of the great influence from comics and animations. Through using flat cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax. Besides, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and art is commercial. I think popularity and commercial can help each other. If art is popular, which everybody knows and enjoys it, than people would have more chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, people would understand more about art. I am planing to make my artwork into commercial and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
Thesis paper 2nd draft
Hsin-Wei Hsu
The Power of Kawaii
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includ comic, animation, movies, street fashion and toys are internationally know and have the cartoonish character. Besides, Japanese popular culture is becoming influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists express ideas about their own subculture on their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, creates cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His idea has great influence on the contemporary art, and inspire many contemporary artists which included me. As a Taiwanese, I can feel the influence from Japanese subculture storngly; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is nonstop. However, I think it is good, because Taiwanese culture is a mixed culture that we can accept different culture styles from other countries. It also affect my painting which contains some parts of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images about Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the developing of tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture becoming a huge power and now drawing global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animations and games now becoming the symbol of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". Besides, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture fulls with animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, creats cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e(Japanese traditional painting) and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. Accroding one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial, which transfer his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make more and more people see and close art; however, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that use the art is commercial, and artists need money for making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he raises many young artists, which provide them cases for working and opportunities for becoming famous.
How Japanese subculture affect Taiwanese culture
Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. It not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also the animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is a multiculture. Recently, the power of Chian, Korea and Japan had been raising, which followed with culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. For example, many youth follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; the comics in Taiwan are almost totally come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultur, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I had been suffered the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those entertaining products which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I am doing my painting, these enjoyable experience become my inspiration which give me the ideas about the relationship between reality and illusion. People who live in the reality world, usually get along with many unreal stuffs such as the virtual world made from computer, the 3D CG bikini girls in the video games or the giant horrible monsters in the animation. I think it is interesting to discuss this topic, also, it relies on the the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, which like Murakami's superflat style, because of the great influence from comics and animations. Through using flat cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax. Besides, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and art is commercial. I think popularity and commercial can help each other. If art is popular, which everybody knows and enjoys it, than people would have more chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, people would understand more about art. I am planing to make my artwork into commercial and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
The Power of Kawaii
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includ comic, animation, movies, street fashion and toys are internationally know and have the cartoonish character. Besides, Japanese popular culture is becoming influential throughout the world. Many Japanese contemporary artists express ideas about their own subculture on their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, creates cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His idea has great influence on the contemporary art, and inspire many contemporary artists which included me. As a Taiwanese, I can feel the influence from Japanese subculture storngly; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is nonstop. However, I think it is good, because Taiwanese culture is a mixed culture that we can accept different culture styles from other countries. It also affect my painting which contains some parts of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese pop culturl
The traditional images about Japan were the militarily nation in WWII and an industrial country after the war. However, the status of Japan has been changing. With the developing of tremendous entertainment business, Japanese pop culture becoming a huge power and now drawing global interest. Pop culture such as manga(comics), animations and games now becoming the symbol of Japan. Nakamura(2004) who is an executive director of Stanford Japan Center-Research reported that "The characteristics of the Japanese pop market include the follewing points: children's purchasing power is strong; participation of adults in the market is large; "otaku", who are the obsessive "maniac" comic and animation fans, contributes significantly to market activities; and the fact that there is less regulation of sexual and violent expression in the media". Besides, Kelts(2006) reported that Japanese pop culture fulls with animation and cartoon icons. They appear everywhere in Japan such as the cellphone, ATM screen, billboards, train station and the airplane.
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, creats cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that Ukiyo-e(Japanese traditional painting) and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. Accroding one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial, which transfer his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make more and more people see and close art; however, to join art and commercial together makes Murakami become a controversial artist. He asserted that use the art is commercial, and artists need money for making more artwork. Murakami has his own art making factory, called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he raises many young artists, which provide them cases for working and opportunities for becoming famous.
How Japanese subculture affect Taiwanese culture
Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. It not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also the animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is a multiculture. Recently, the power of Chian, Korea and Japan had been raising, which followed with culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. For example, many youth follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; the comics in Taiwan are almost totally come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan. Through importing tremendous amounts of Japanese products to Taiwan, the Japanese culture comes with them.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultur, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I had been suffered the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those entertaining products which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I am doing my painting, these enjoyable experience become my inspiration which give me the ideas about the relationship between reality and illusion. People who live in the reality world, usually get along with many unreal stuffs such as the virtual world made from computer, the 3D CG bikini girls in the video games or the giant horrible monsters in the animation. I think it is interesting to discuss this topic, also, it relies on the the Japanese pop culture invasion, because most of the virtual cartoonish characters are from Japan. My painting style is flat, which like Murakami's superflat style, because of the great influence from comics and animations. Through using flat cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax. Besides, I totally agree with Murakami's ideas about art: art should be popular and art is commercial. I think popularity and commercial can help each other. If art is popular, which everybody knows and enjoys it, than people would have more chance to purchase artwork or art products. On the other hand, if artwork like commercial products, which appear everywhere in our daily life, people would understand more about art. I am planing to make my artwork into commercial and developing different products such as stickers, toys and t-shirts.
Conclusion
Japanese pop culture is a huge cultural entertainment industry in the world. Murakami wisely uses it and develops into art that provokes the attention of whole world. Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset; instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture. Multiculture has been becoming the characteristic of Taiwanese culture and providing me the resouces and inspirations for making artwork. Living in the global village, I am glad to take the advantage of experence different cultures and express my feeling by painting.
Reference List
Nakamura, I (2004). Introduction of Pop Culture Policy (Summary). Japanese Institute of Global Communications.http://www.glocom.org/debates/20040302_nakamura_pop/index.html
Kelts, R (2006). Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., 207
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World,79-87
2007年11月19日 星期一
THESIS PAPER 1ST DRAFT
Hsin-Wei Hsu
The outlines of my thesis paper
-Introduction
-Introduce Japanese subculture
-Takashi Murakami
-How Japanese subculture affect Taiwanese culture
-How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
-Conclusion
The Power of Japanese Subcluture In Contemporary Art
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includ comic, animation, movies, street fashion and toys seems to become international and have the individual character. Besides, it has been becoming a huge trend to influence the whole world. Many Japanese contemporary artists express ideas about their own subculture on their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, creates cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His idea has great influence on the contemporary art, and inspire many contemporary artists which included me. As a Taiwanese, I can feel the influence from Japanese subculture storngly; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is nonstop. However, I think it is good, because Taiwanese culture is a mixed culture that we can accept different culture styles from other countries. It also affect my painting which contains some parts of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese subculture
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, creats cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that 浮世繪 and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. Accroding one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial, which transfer his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make more and more people see and close art. Also, he has his own "factory", called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he raises many young artists, which provide them cases for working and opportunities for becoming famous.
How Japanese subculture affect Taiwanese culture
Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. It not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also the animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is a multiculture. Recently, the power of Chian, Korea and Japan had been raising, which followed with culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. For example, many youth follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; the comics in Taiwan are almost totally come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultur, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I had been suffered the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those entertaining products which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I am doing my painting, these enjoyable experience become my inspiration which give me the ideas about the relationship between reality and illusion. Through using cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax. Also, by using the figurative and cartoons, I want to show the connection between the reality and irreality. As the idea from Pop Art movement and Murakami, I totally agree that art should be popular, everyone should enjoys art.
Conclusion
Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset. Instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture.
The outlines of my thesis paper
-Introduction
-Introduce Japanese subculture
-Takashi Murakami
-How Japanese subculture affect Taiwanese culture
-How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
-Conclusion
The Power of Japanese Subcluture In Contemporary Art
Introduction
Nowadays, Godzilla and Hello Kitty speak not only Japanese, but also English, Mandarin and Korean. Japanese subculture which includ comic, animation, movies, street fashion and toys seems to become international and have the individual character. Besides, it has been becoming a huge trend to influence the whole world. Many Japanese contemporary artists express ideas about their own subculture on their artwork and have positive responds. The most famous Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, creates cartoon characters and vinyl figures in his exhibitions. His idea has great influence on the contemporary art, and inspire many contemporary artists which included me. As a Taiwanese, I can feel the influence from Japanese subculture storngly; this phenomenon is unavoidable, just like the culture invasion is nonstop. However, I think it is good, because Taiwanese culture is a mixed culture that we can accept different culture styles from other countries. It also affect my painting which contains some parts of Japanese teen culture. For instance, I use the falt style which is a characteristic of Japanese sublture and creat cartoon monsters in my painting. As a Taiwanese contemporary artist, I want to express the speciality of Taiwanese subculture.
Japanese subculture
Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami, who is the most famous Japanese contemporary fine artist, creats cartoonish characters in his artwork. Murakami announced "Superflact Manifesto" in his exhibitio in Tokyo in 2000. He asserted that 浮世繪 and Japanese contemporary comics have the same characteristics which were flat, delicated, detialed and implicated. Also, as the idea of Pop Art movement, he wanted to make art become more popularized. Accroding one study (Phoenix, 2006), Murakami inspired by popular Japanese culture, he said "Sometimes I feel like my work is an extension of popular culture. I think that as an artist, there is usually an element of examination. I enjoy connecting this fantasy cculture to more real discourses, such as history and art. This is also why I have tried to introduce Japanese pop culture to the world. Because it has many connections to concerns of undeniable relevancy." Murakami also wants to make art become popular, which as the same idea from Pop Art movement. He combines art and commercial, which transfer his unique cartoons on many products like pins, dolls, cards and vinly toys. He uses this way to make more and more people see and close art. Also, he has his own "factory", called Kaikai Kiki. In the factory, he raises many young artists, which provide them cases for working and opportunities for becoming famous.
How Japanese subculture affect Taiwanese culture
Japanese, who are good at promoting their productions, successfully sell their culture to other countries. It not only sell the authentic Japanese food, but also the animation, comics and toys. Taiwan, which located near Japan, cannot avoid the great culture trend from it. The history of Taiwanese culture is very complicated, which related to Chinese traditional culture, native Taiwanese culture and parts of Japanese colony culture. It is true that the most specific feature of Taiwan's culture is a multiculture. Recently, the power of Chian, Korea and Japan had been raising, which followed with culture invation, Taiwan has suffered the cultures from them. The most obviously facts happen in the young generation. For example, many youth follow the Japanese fashion, which wear Japanese brand and mimic the Japanese style; the comics in Taiwan are almost totally come from Japan, and so do the video games; some Japanese magazines and books even release at the same day in Japan.
How Japanese subculture and Murakami affect my painting
Murakami shows people the Japanese subcultur, I show people the the influence from Japanese subculture. I had been suffered the Japanese pop culture since I was a kid. I saw Japanese cartoons, read Japanese comics, played Japanese toys and video games. I enjoy those entertaining products which are made delicateliy and imaginative. When I am doing my painting, these enjoyable experience become my inspiration which give me the ideas about the relationship between reality and illusion. Through using cartoonish characters can show humorous and unformal feeling, which can make audience feel fun and relax. Also, by using the figurative and cartoons, I want to show the connection between the reality and irreality. As the idea from Pop Art movement and Murakami, I totally agree that art should be popular, everyone should enjoys art.
Conclusion
Culture invasion is unavoidable, espically the Japanese popular culture occupies Taiwan. As a victim of it, I do not feel upset. Instead of it, I enjoy the multiculture.
the feedback to Hsiao-Ping's thesis paper 1st draft
Hsin-Wei
The Feedback to Hsiao-Ping’s Thesis Paper
1. As dining is a kind of popular culture in Taiwan, to reuse the historic buildings as restaurants could be a way to preserve and revive these buildings.
2. I think this thesis statement is effective. After I read it, I can get the main idea clearly. However, I think if you can mention more details such as explain “reuse” more, you can use the specific method to explain it.
3. I think the beginning of the easy is effective. It provides the general idea about the whole essay. However, I think the “hook” could be more interesting and you can talk some ideas about your method to combine the old building and restaurant at the end of first paragraph.
4.
(a). No! In the second paragraph “The Preservation of Historic Buildings in Taiwan”, you did not say anything about the preservation, there is only background about the historic building in Taiwan. But you did well in other paragraphs^^
(b). Yes!
(c). Yes!
(d). Yes!
(e). Yes! You did well, and I think you can explain more, which can enhance your idea.
5. \\( ‘@’)//
6. I like the paragraph about the Taiwanese eating culture, like Taiwanese like to go to night markets for having vendor’s food. I like to do the same thing, too.
7. I think every part of the essay is good.
8. What will you do if you want to combine the Taiwanese historical buildings and restaurants?? I would like to know the specific plans.
9. Good job!
10. You did not finish the ending yet.
The Feedback to Hsiao-Ping’s Thesis Paper
1. As dining is a kind of popular culture in Taiwan, to reuse the historic buildings as restaurants could be a way to preserve and revive these buildings.
2. I think this thesis statement is effective. After I read it, I can get the main idea clearly. However, I think if you can mention more details such as explain “reuse” more, you can use the specific method to explain it.
3. I think the beginning of the easy is effective. It provides the general idea about the whole essay. However, I think the “hook” could be more interesting and you can talk some ideas about your method to combine the old building and restaurant at the end of first paragraph.
4.
(a). No! In the second paragraph “The Preservation of Historic Buildings in Taiwan”, you did not say anything about the preservation, there is only background about the historic building in Taiwan. But you did well in other paragraphs^^
(b). Yes!
(c). Yes!
(d). Yes!
(e). Yes! You did well, and I think you can explain more, which can enhance your idea.
5. \\( ‘@’)//
6. I like the paragraph about the Taiwanese eating culture, like Taiwanese like to go to night markets for having vendor’s food. I like to do the same thing, too.
7. I think every part of the essay is good.
8. What will you do if you want to combine the Taiwanese historical buildings and restaurants?? I would like to know the specific plans.
9. Good job!
10. You did not finish the ending yet.
2007年10月31日 星期三
RESEARCH PAPER LAST DRAFT
Toys Become Art
Changes of Toy Design and Toy Consumers
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Sang Kim
October 22, 2007
Introduction
Walking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Art toys or design toys have been developing recently. Acroding to one studying (Crawford, 2005), art toys have been popular since the early 2000. This phenomenon is a part of a subculture trend which includsd urban art, street fashion, alternative comics, music and contemporary art and design. Art toys appreaded in Tokyo and Hong Kong first, then they becam popular throughout all the world. In 2000, some Japanese streetwear stores creadted their original toys as promotional items for their apparel labels. At the same time, a group of toys collectors and shop owners in Hong Kong hold toy conventions to show their wares. Some toys designers influenced by what was happening in Japan, and created their own original art toys. Now toys , which are a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art. They not only have become mediums of art making, but also inspirations for artists. Phoenix (2006) has reported that "plastic objects are able to effortlessly assume forms and ideas of intense complexity or extreme simplicity, which means they can travel from an initial blank beginning to occupy emoyionally and intellctually satisfying territory in a way we traditionally demand of art" (Plastic Culture, 2006, p. 7 ). Toys become even artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made. His artwork provide a conception which toys can be a form of art, and people have started to know about art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys is rely on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials can be used. The artistic design become the reason that not only children like it, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing, some parent buy toys for themselves. With the expanding of art toys market, toys designer becoming a new popular job. Some toy designers have the unique styles on their toys, like Michael Lau and Kaws who are the successful toy designers, also, Medicom Toy company which have been making art toys since 1996 is the most famous art toy company.
Body Paragraph
Changes in Design
The design between common toys and art toys is different, because of the function of each group are different. It is true that design is based on function. Art toys are not have to be safe and have developmental functions, because they are not made only for children. Some of art toys are like statues which are not movable, even some have arthrosis or joints, they are not totally movable, and the propose of them is to make some specific poses. Also, Art Toys can be decorations which have the same function as artwork. If toys are not playable, the safety and educational function are not necessary. The designs of Art Toys are focus on the special shape, beautiful colors , different poses and details which like the way that artists make their artwork. Some famous toys designers even show their own style on their toys which make people can discriminate them easily, just like when you see Van Gogh's unique touch, you can tell it is his painting.
Art toys are more delicated than common toys, also the size and weight are different. Common toys usually have small size and light weight, because most of the users are children. In art toys, size and weight have no limit, it all depand on the designer's idea. A big art toys could be 72cm high, and the weight is about 9 kg like the "1000% BE@RBRICK" which made by MEDICOM TOY. Also, art toys have more delicately details than common toys. In art toys, colors are painted carefully, even the edge between two colors is very specific. Some of them have many samll replacement components, which can change the toy's appearance or pose.
The materials of toys making are also changing. The common material is vinyl, PVC and ABS, which are kinds of plastic, and they are still popular toy's materials until now. Some previous toys are made by tin or superalloy, but at that time, the technic was not good, so the toy's shape and movement were limited. However, with the developing of toy's making technic, these problems have seloved. Besides, the mold making skill improves. Comparing with common toys, art toys are more weak. Having many delicated delitals and components lead to art toys cannot suffer impact; however, common toys are stronger, because they are made for children which need endurable and no small accessories for safety. Also, some art toys combine different materials together. They use the vinjl for making the main body, than use superalloy for the apparels. Some real action figures' apparels even made by real leather, silk and jeans.
Changes in Consumers
Changes in consumers is also a reason of art toys developing. Before art toys appeared, the toys' main users are children. However, after art toys created a trend to all the world, toys are not only for children anymore. Young people and adults purchase or collect toys. According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), art toys creat a new conception for toys. Toys, which are commercial objects are transformed into art. Some art toys are made depend on comic , movie or animation characters, these toys can make young people and adults have nastagic feeling. Through collecting these toys, people can feel satisfied. Also, art toys have another reason that attract people, they can make fantasy become true (p. 27). Art toys can satisfied with young people and adults' imagination, they can make monsters, super heroes, robots and animation characters become object which can be touched and exhibited.
Art toys have wide connection with subcultures, suck as movies, animations and street fashions. Many companies have cooperation with toys companies, which produce the limited edition for attracting customers. People who addict to these subculture stuff may have a lot of opportunities to involved in art toys. Recently, even some famous exclusive brands have been cooperating with toys company, for example, in June 2007, CHANEL(Figure 1), CARTIER(Figure 2), COACH(Figure 3) and some famous brands had special plane with Medicom Toys Company. They made different 1000% BE@RBRICK toys for charity bazaar.
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3.
Coach 1000% Be@rbrick Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick
Art Toy Designers
Art toy designers are like artists, which use the same way to create artwork. There are two famous toy designers and one big toy company which have became the symbol of art toys and have a great influence in art toy field.
Michael Lau
Michael Lau(Figure 4) is a famous toy designer from Hong Kong. He was one of the originators of art toys. He created his first art toys in 1999, the "Gardeners", twelve-inch vinyl figures dressed in urban fashions with tattoos, had great success. His art toys included art, toys and fashion, which made collectors saw a new styles of toys and art lovers saw a new mdeium for art representation.
Figure 4. Michael Lau
Kaws (US)
Kaws designs many unique toy figures which contain his special style. In 1999, he released his first vinyl toy, "Companion"(Figure 5), in partnership with Tokyo's Bounty Hunter. That established his position as a founding figure in the art toy movement.
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
MEDICOM TOY (JP)
MEDICOM TOY is a toy making company which established in 1996, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It makes many unique and creative toys that creats a new art toys trend throughout the world. Also, MEDICOM TOY involves in fine art, fasion design and urban culture stuff. Cooperating with artists from different fields is the distinguishing feature of MEDICOM TOY.
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo
Conclusion
Toys have been developing into art productions which have unique design and artistic styles, also, the consumers and users have been changing. Some famous art toy designers like Michael Lau and Kaws create their own styles on toys, which make them like artwork and rise the status of toys. McCormick (2006) reported that "Vinyl figures might be trivialized as toys, but by lineage and legacy this is actually the kind of subgenre that belongs to the species of artists' multiples".Art Toys have been developed only for 7 years, they are still new issues. It seems reasonable that Art Toys connect art and fun together, they provide people have an oppiortunity to own a piece of art. In the future, Art Toys could play an important role in culture, also, be an essential medium for art.
Reference List
McCormick, C. (2006). Vinyl rules: surrogate sculptures and the manufacture of
ldentity.FullVinyl: The Subcersive Art of Designer Toys, 118-125
Crawford, J. (2005). Introduction. Toys New Desugns from the Art Toy Revolution.
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese
Toys Conquered the World, 27-29
Figure 1. Coach 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 2. Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 3. Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 4. Michael Lau, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020318-
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/original-fake-4-feet-kaws-companion-figure
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo, http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/index2.html
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