Guangzhen Zhou with his Giant Hands
San Jose California 2013
The Eastern City Gate – Commercialism No. 1
Guangzhen Zhou 2012
The Western Pediment – Commercialism No. 2
Guangzhen Zhou 2012
（Behind the conflict between different cultures, there is also the conflict between commercialism and local culture. The pandemic has been strengthening people's self-protection instincts. The debate between globalization and anti-globalization has become highly relevant as many countries close their borders. Where is our world headed?）
This blog Baichuan (Hundred Rivers), will be in the form of journals, sometimes short, sometimes lengthy; sometimes serious, sometimes casual. The meaning of Baichuan was originally a metaphor for Shanghai's inclusiveness and openness. That is to say, many rivers meet together and flow into the ocean.
In 2015, I had a nice talk with a ceramic artist in South America. His mother was indigenous and his father was Spanish, while his grandfather was British, and his grandfather (on his mother’s side) was Japanese. He studied in Japan when he was a child. "My art reflects the crossing of many rivers."
My ceramic works also feature some different cultural influences. I have all kinds of Chinese elements in my body, even without including all the physiological attributes given by my mother and father.
At the same time, not only have I been living in the USA for a long time, I have also traveled extensively around the world, and gradually formed my own international vision, values, and mode of thinking. Sometimes it's hard to tell what's Eastern and what's Western in my works. In our era of globalization, there are many things that cannot be distinguished in this way.
The definition of East and West, as with left and right sides, depends on your position. Chinese people used to refer to anything west of themselves as the land of the West. For example, the Monk Sanzang went to India to get scriptures by passing through Central Asia. Is India a western country then? Buddhist culture is of course an important component of East Asian culture. Many cultures are the same in this aspect; each culture carries genes from other cultures throughout history.
the ancient India Culture – Ellora Grottoes
The Europeans regarded all of Asia as the East, perhaps due to the division of the Eastern and Western Roman Empire. From this, the Near East, the Middle East and the Far East are derived. I remember that in the early years, some translators called themselves "the Far East". That which we take for granted in our lives are often accompanied by some self-contradiction. The world is not just black or white. Sometimes you need to think backwards and find a balance, or something in between.
It happened that Mr. Covid came close by, and I can't get out of the house asides from necessary tasks. Every morning, I wake up and do nothing. When I turn on my mobile phone, I can see fearful words making a stir of the world's chaos: 「the biggest crisis; the heaviest news, unexpected incident……」 All kinds of noise has stirred up the sky and the earth. So I came up with an idea and continued to write. Add a little noise to the chaotic stage. Nowadays, writing doesn't need to be sitting in front of a desk. Mobile phones can also be a prime tool for capturing inspiration.
the book cover of 「Carrying Clay Art on My Iron Shoulder」
In 2010, my book 「Carrying Clay Art on My Iron Shoulder」 was published by Jiangsu Fine Arts Publishing House, about my life and art, from 30 years in China through 20 years in the US. This title of "iron shoulder" now seems to be a little arrogant, and I feel ashamed. "In the first three years of learning you feel on the top of the world, and in the next three years even walking is difficult," as my grandma said. I'm now in a situation where I often feel myself very small, like an ant.
The Ant's Eye View No. 3, 1990's, Guangzhen Zhou
"Baichuan" may be regarded as a sequelto that book. I would like to share with readers my experiences, feelings, andthoughts about my study, my life, and my art in both China and the UnitedStates in 21st century, as well as my frequent trips between San Francisco andShanghai, and my travels around the world over the last two decades. Thecontent of Baichuan can be summed up as follows: Learn clay, make clay, readclay, teach clay, write clay, collect clay, exhibit clay, and examine clay.
My ceramic Studio at University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1989
GuangzhenZhou and his students
Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts 2014
on theway
traveling at Borobudur Indonesia
on theway
traveling at Peci Porcelain Factory and Museum, Hungary
on theway
traveling at Tunica Pottery Village, Egypt
beforethe grand opening of Korea International Ceramics Biennale 2019
Baichuan will be posted in both Chinese and English. The English version will be proofread by my eldest. My English is no good. I remember when my eldest was four years old, I used to read English children's books to her at bedtime. One day, she suddenly sat up from her bed and said, "Let me read it for you." She has been my English writing assistant since she was 12 years old.
All of the relevant persons will be underassumed names, please do not match your stories with mine.
Thanks for all the attention to my blog. Ilook forward to communicating with all of you.
Thank you for your company and contribution!
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