Chinese Landscape - Widescreen view

This is part 2 of the Chinese Art Appreciation series. In this painting, I try to capture the sentiment as expressed by ancient artists when they painted summer sceneries. As before, I will refer to one of the more popular works written by Lin Yutang i.e. The Importance of Living, A Lyrical Philosophy.

While this is not exactly a summer painting, I try to depict the essential characteristics that will best describe this beautiful, luxuriant season (Yes, I know, I am doing this painting in my tropical backyard in a country that is currently bathing in alternating heat and flash thunderstorm - no thanks to global warming!).

Hua: flowery splendour. Summer reveals its true majesty in its trees, forests and best of all, its floral display. This is floral language without seeds, or without thought or substance. Indeed, this is what we call a 'Flowery Kingdom' season.

Hsiung: heroic, powerful and majestic, as in the majestic mountains. You know what, I can literally move those mighty mountains in my 18 by 24 inch canvas. In real life, though, the closest I get is to move flower pots!

Chuang: also means strong and powerful but the combination peichuang will take a different meaning which is 'tragic but strong'.

Ts'iao: steep, rugged and abrupt - as in steep mountain edges. Again, it can also be used in a literary manner as well. Have you come across people who are friendly and perhaps also gregarious who will abruptly act in a hostile manner in response to a trivial matter?

Hao (fang): unrestrained. In the words of Lin Yutang, 'a poet or writer writing with the full sweep and mastery of his powers is compared to a celestial horse galloping in the sky'.

Finally, there's not much difference between spring and summer as compared to autumn or winter. Both depict vitality(ling), a quality seen in paintings where mountains and rockeries are generously spaced out (as you would see in nature) to represent the spirit of aliveness, though empty!

To further emphasize this awe-inspiring season, I recently come acrosss a website dedicated to a Russian singer, who is apparently one of the 'founders' of Russian rock music. This song that is posted on the internet is one of the more beautiful ones that I've heard. Just listen to the song and see if you agree. Below are the lyrics:

Golden City

by Boris Grebenshchikov

Under the clear blue sky
A golden city lies
With crystal-clear gates
And a single star so bright.

There is a garden there
With flowers and herbs
And strange exotic animals
That no one's seen or heard.

With a majestic mane
There strolls a yellow lion,
An ox with deep blue eyes,
And an eagle so divine.

And in the sky of blue
A solitary star--
This star, my love, is you--
'Twas always what you are.

Whoever loves is loved,
Whoever's blessed is bright,
So let the star point the way
To that magic place tonight.

With a majestic mane
You'll be greeted by a lion,
An ox with deep blue eyes
And an eagle so divine.

Melting Moments

My daughter was hiding for many hours in her room the day before Father's Day. So, I thought she must be finishing a very important school project. When I saw the card, my heart melted away like an ice cream in a warm afternoon.

On Father's Day, I finally bought the much longed for Playstation2. It comes with 2 original controller and an 8 MB memory card. Can you imagine the reseller set out before me 3 different types of controller to choose from - the 100% original, the 50% fake and the 100% fake? All of them have the identical Sony logo. I took me awhile to realise that the original is slightly heavier, has a smoother control and is coated with a matt finish (compared to the fakes which are covered in gloss). Still he looks like an honest person to show me all the differences, which was later verified by a heavy gamer, my nephew.

And yeah, the PS2 is definately not for me. Its a gift for my son who topped his class during the last term. There is now a PS3 model but we don't think many parents can afford the games.

I think its wise for parents to set a time limit for them to play (knowing how addictive the games can be). My son has promised to continue with his chess lessons and piano practice since the exam is not far away. Furthermore, I would prefer children to participate in the occasional outdoor ecopark activities, instead of just video games. I can imagine the fun they will have jungle trekking, kayaking, preparing meals and camping under the stars.

Surprised by Joy

I am indeed surprised by joy. I had planned to do a monochromatic painting or at most with only 3 colors. As it turned out, there are splashes of green and yellow and red on the foliage surrounding the waterfall. Earlier, I have also not visualised the cascading water and the splashings against the rocks. All these are what we call 'happy accidents'.

I imagine the universe too, being created in a random fashion. Everything just happens. Perhaps there is no grand design in life after all.

This is confounding to many people. There is perhaps no justice and justification to whatever we are doing.

There are occasions for joy, for example marriage. But what about the ones who are stuck in the most miserable corner on earth. Is there any meaning to life for the unemployed, the cancer patient fighting a losing battle, the parents who have a terminally ill child, the prisoner who is facing a death sentence?

But the meaning itself will reveal itself as complete at the very end of life. In the meantime, we have to look retrospectively and to the future for the sequence of events, however tragic it may be, that comes our way and determine what meaning they might carry. It is these little events in life that will make up the big picture one day.

I have to look up on the details of the objects I put on my painting so that , in the end, I am able to transform this final composition into a personal accomplishment of joy.

Just trying to cover a large aspect of life in a few words.....

A Beacon of Light

I like digital art for the very fact that it allows me freedom to do things that I know I won't be able to accomplish using traditional medium. For example, I can work on a digital composition, from back to front and vice versa whereas in traditional method, I have to do the background first before putting the finer foreground details. Normally, in oil painting I paint light against dark but here, I can do dark against light just as well. Also I don't have to wait for the paint to dry. I can use the quick dry function or let it remain wet while I create another layer to paint on.

This is another painting to represent the traditional symbol of hope. You have probably heard of the phrase "a beacon of light on a stormy sea" or "a beacon to light my path". This beacon of light over troubled waters is what life is all about. Yes, this is a troubled world. Yes, life must still be lived to the hilt but then we don't always get postcardlike sceneries that we always hope for. This is God's answer to our prayers when all seem hopeless. God's answer will come when you least expect it.

Blu-Truth

Here's my concept of 'blu-truth'. This is only my own idea, that goes with the flow of technology that diffuses into our everyday activities. As technology gets better, life gets easier. Devices with built-in functions are able to communicate wirelessly with one another. Today, we see bluetooth technology being used for communication between headsets and mobile phones. Those with A2DP support are able to intercept seamless stereo music within the parameter which they are designed for. Soon, bluetooth enabled appliances are going to permeate the living room, office, kitchen and automobiles. They will even be found in toys.

Now. are we not also designed with 'bluetooth enabled' capability by our Maker? Someone with much higher intelligence had definately planned this many, many eons ago before the earth was formed. Do we not find it more joyful, meaningful and not to mention efficient when we communicate face to face or shall I say 'wirelessly' with one another? We are indeed God's wonderful creations. We should be thankful too, because there are those with 'faulty' communication lines - the handicapped and those with chronic illnesses who may not be able to communicate as effectively as we do, with the full spectrum of intellectual and emotional capabilities that we are endowed with. These are the people whom God wants us to serve first.

Technology can only go so far as to emulate nature. It is possible to implant a bluetooth device in the human body for tracking purpose. There was a case against Vladimir Kramnik, the current world classical chess champion called the toiletgate scandal. It was discovered that he had been going in and out of the toilet while the games were proceeding in the last world championship match against Veselin Topalov. The opposition had accused him of using a wireless gadget to intercept the best moves during the tournament as his moves had matched those of a very strong chess engine. Whether this is true or not, we will never know. However, recently there have been cases of partipicants caught cheating in the tournament hall as they were using such computer assisted devices.

If we can communicate so well with our fellow human beings, can we not also communicate with our Creator? Are we not designed for this very purpose? If God wants to speak to our hearts, what is the one message that He wants to transmit to us? I think, for a start, it will probably be this - to know the meaning of our existence.

What is the meaning of life? Is it to pursue happiness? Do we want to be happy like puppies? Happiness is laughter. Happiness is joy and ecstacy. But think for a while - Aristotle says that happiness is part of an activity. Pleasure is something you find when you enjoy doing something, even more when you enjoy doing it very well and doing good things.

I am happy when I'm holding a brush - this happiness holds out much longer compared to the satisfaction I get when the painting is complete. Every few days, I need to recharge myself by going back to my art room because there is where I find joy.

In the movie 'The Pursuit of Happyness', a good father seeks happiness for his son in the face of economic hardship and calamity. But then he realised something: it's not happiness but the pursuit of happiness that is all important. I hope you let this message sink into your heart once and for all - nobody can achieve perfect happiness in this world.

Victor Frankl, a prominent psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, had this to say:

"What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment. We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; and (3) by suffering.

Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”

The Kingdom of Heaven awaits us if we only start to communicate with God right now and asked the correct questions as life presents to each one of us.

Happy (Belated) Mother's Day

This is a home-made card from my daughter to her mother. She scored top marks when she submitted this to her school's art club.

The mothers (my wife and company) were busy exchanging some very touching Mother's Day poems through SMS.

Went to Jusco and bought my mum a steamer pot yesterday. Felt a little paiseh as it is of low tech value. However, at least I chose the stainless steel edition. Saw a more canggih steamer but the container is made of plastic and I question its durability. To make it up , we took our parents for a sumptuous lunch to show our appreciation. If you don't know what gifts to buy, taking them to a restaurant is always a safe bet.

There is none like You (part 2)

Continuing from the previous post, this is a photo of the facade of the tomb, with the 'Chevron' symbol on top, taken in 1980 by Jewish archaeologist Amos Kloner. Therefore, if anyone thinks that this whole site is a forgery, well, it is not. It is a closely supervised, authorised Israeli archaeological site except for a 'window period' between the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath and Sunday morning when, any of the treasures could have been stolen.

However, the verdict is out even before the documentary was shown. Most scholars have discredited the findings. The filmmakers were made to look unprofessional. Reminds me of my practice of evidence based medicine. Every now and then, someone will get into the spotlight by claiming that his medicine works on a certain disease without going through proper research trials. For most of us who are not able to watch the documentary just yet, here's a detailed account from a blog as the 'Lost Tomb of Jesus' show was televised live on that day.

This dramatic documentary is beginning to sound like an episode from the CSI. Being in the entertainment business, some commentators are already poking fun at the their colleagues. Larry King wonders if this might be the end of Easter bunny. Jon Stewart, the comedian host in the Daily Show, thinks if Our Father in Heaven has a grandson, he must be the most spoiled kid in town! Many people are clearly upset by the Discovery Channel although I don't think it will lead to any street demonstrations or mass killing but a TV evangelist in America is unable to hide his anger when he said, 'Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general, and Catholicism in particular. I like children and family; they like abortion!'

This is even more controversial than the da Vinci Code (dah benci kut!) movie since James Cameron's assertion is that this is for real.

OK, let's go back to the findings. Of all the statistical, DNA forensics and patina testings, I would say that the patina test is the most interesting. The producers have added a 'dramatic' twist to the show by saying that the tenth missing ossuary actually belonged to the 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus' ossuary (pictured below) discovered earlier. The patina 'fingerprinting' test, which is a relatively new technique, scans samples on stone surfaces, in this case samples from ossuaries taken at random from a dozen tombs from various locations in the Jerusalem area, with an electron microscope to reveal a chemical spectrum of essential elements such as magnesium, aluminum, phosphorus, potassium, titanium and iron. The initial results indicated that the chemical spectrum of the James ossuary strongly “echoed” those of the Talpiot wall surfaces and its ossuaries. I wonder whether there is a panel of physicists to review this.



The hypothesis that the James ossuary belongs to the Talpiot tomb has already been discounted by most scholars as the dimensions of the missing ossuary is different from the one documented (65 x 25 x 30 in the Jesus ossuary vs 57.5 x 25 x 30 in the James ossuary) and it is not plain as noted in the Talpiot excavation. However, James Tabor in his blog, has pointed out that the initial excavation findings reveal only a very faint rosette pattern which is due to accumulation of earth which is not initially brushed off yet. Furthermore, he gave an example of certain ossuaries (pictured below), which is quite elaborately decorated and not 'plain' as in the James ossuary.


However, the statistical findings that this is a unique cluster of names not to be found elsewhere fail to convince me. The odds can be 1 in 100, 1 in 600 or 1 in 1000 or whatever. The findings were only based on certain assumptions in the calculation done by Andrey Feuerverger from the University of Toronto. For example, it is assumed by the producers that, Mariamme e Mara refers to Mary Magdalene. This will markedly affect the calculations. If this assumption is wrong, I'm sorry to say, the whole equation will collapse like a house of cards.

Speaking from everyday experience, what are the chances of meeting your friend at a train station in London? Have you ever found a word you require by the first flip of a dictionary? (Well I have!). What's the probability of seeing 3 patients with the same name on the same day in a clinic? I've actually seen them - their names are very common here, let's say as common as Tan Ah Chong. This is just my personal testimony.

What’s the probability of the Jesus family having a tomb in Jerusalem when it should most likely be in Nazareth, his birthplace? – the answer is we don’t have the statistical figures to work on, as we are looking from a purely historical and cultural point of view. Therefore, there is not going to be an absolute answer to this whole issue as far as statistics is concerned and people are going to argue till the cows come home. Statisticians are only there for window dressing and to give a rough estimate.

The DNA test is also unconvincing although it is not the fault of the producers (they could not find bone fragments from other ossuaries. The bones were all buried, on discovery, according to Jewish law). The experts are only able to extract mitochondrial DNA, and not the nucleus, and it is found that the ones in the Jesus and Mariamme ossuaries are not related. The producers are quick to jump in and say that it may probably mean that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and they had a son named Judas. This is predetermined mindset and it has angered many people. I hope they would retract their assumption to defuse the widespread furore. It reminds me of Dato' Tan Chin Nam's (Tan and Tan Development magnate) book title named 'Never Say I Assume!'

In conclusion, I'm more interested in the intellectual debate that will prevail, rather than assumptions and wild accusations from both sides.

Clearly, an independent team needs to be sent there to verify or discount the patina test. They need to take more samples from other ossuaries in the Talpiot area. This patina test is quite confusing – and as most of us have not heard of this technology before, unlike carbon dating. The producers have said that it is a match but how good a match? It is hoped that more random sampling will be done, and hopefully there will be more refined patina testing machines to clear the issue for the sake of analytical minded people like me! The tomb, itself, which has been sealed by the Israeli authority needs to be reopened and reexamined. More authoritative epigraphical work needs to be done and the final consensus should be made known.

Meanwhile, back in the ICU, the cardiac monitor was showing ventricular fibrillation now. Life was slowly sapping out of the baby. I remember holding Merilynn a few days before she collapsed. She was enjoying the escalator ride up and down at the hospital where she was admitted. At a certain moment, she seemed to be pointing to the large window towards the sky for a very long time. Perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel after all!