Road to Dawn

The Road To Dawn premiered in Beijing just a few days ago, although it has yet to be screened here. So far, I believe there has been no posting about the movie as it has just been released. I’m doing this review based on historical facts. The film traces the struggle of Dr SunYat Sen, his revolutionary political career as well as his personal life. It showcases the time before the overthrow of the Manchurian government when he arrived in Penang to raise funds from the locals for his revolutionary campaign. Penang was chosen as a historical landmark because it was the center of a large Chinese population and had huge financial capability to help launch an uprising in China. At that time, emotions were burning due to the fact that China was going to be the Land of the Morning Sun.

All roads led to China.

All the fingers were pointing to the imminent transformation from an ancient civilisation into a modern, progressive nation.

That was the scenario before the 1911 Revolution turned China from a Manchurian monarchy into a republic. It was an ultra-radical 180 degree turn in her constitutional, political, education and social system. Mind you, it was not even a moderate change into a limited modernised monarchy. China was about to go full steam to become a democratic state and a land of equal opportunities. For comparison, imagine the atmosphere in KL being transformed from a hot and humid metropolis into a city filled with maple and other trees as you would see in autumn season elsewhere.

The collapse of an imperial civilisation paved way to a rebirth of modern China with the following immediate consequences (whether good or bad is for you to decide):

* introduction of scientific and philosophical methods of thinking

* abolishment of imperial examination system

* popularisation of knowledge in schools

* reform of written language

* freedom for women from social conventions, in particular mistresshood and foot binding

* erosion of Confucianism values with special reference to the family system ( the respect due from a son or daughter in regards to old age and authority)

* equality in government service

Dr Sun was not an ordinary person with revolutionist ideals. He was a medical doctor by training. He was also a prominent well-read scholar with an international status to boot. He drank Lipton tea and read English dailies. His ideas were probably Westernised due to his Christian background though he was also influenced by Confucionist ideologies. He was like Mahatma Gandhi, India’s spiritual leader, although he also possessed military prowess and a charm that would arouse the admiration of women.

His political career,can be traced to the time when he was abroad. That was why I think his return to China was like that of a prodigal son coming home to the welcome of his people. His was a romantic adventure. By romantic I mean, being idealistic and visionary, he had seen the worst of China and was capable of fanning the sentiments of a people to revolt against the monarchists’ corrupt practice. Best of all, he was doing this while most of the time he was in exile. However, he wasn’t able to realize his dream of a genuine unification of China at the time of his premature death in 1925.

His Three People’s Principles of nationalism, democracy and people’s welfare were revered by both the warring Kuomintang and Communist Party. Ironically,it became the fulcrum of the communists’ more liberal policies which were realized at the last quarter of the century. This is actually a paradoxical ideation, a similar concept which doctors learnt in psychiatry – the more obsessed a person is with a task, the worst it gets; so turn the other way.

His speech on pan-asianism in 1924 made in Kyoto, Japan, brought home the point that in order to unite as a people and restore the status of a powerful Asia, we need to veer towards benevolence and virtue, which has been our strength since antiquity. Armaments is only for self-defence and not to oppress or destroy other countries.

This nationalistic sentiment among the local Chinese had been carried through for many decades since his historical visit to Malaya. In fact, apart from generous fundings, many have shown their undivided support by sending their children back to their homeland. My late maternal grandfather was one of those who had the fervent wish to see his children deeply ingrained in this nationalistic culture. I had 3 uncles ,whom I have never met nor am I likely ever to, who were sent back while they were in their teens to join Mao Zedong’s Red Army revolution. The sad news was that they suffered psychological trauma and sometimes had to survive without meals and proper drinking water during the disastrous communist revolution which ended the rule of the Kuomintang.

Northern Lights

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.