Friday, January 27, 2012

A Moving Masterpiece

We went to see the exhibit of "A Moving Masterpiece" on the recommendation from a friend & we were glad we did. The exhibit is based on a 1000-year old Chinese scroll painting (a national treasure in China now) painted by the imperial painter of the Song Dynasty to depict life in the then-capital of Bian Jing. It shows life in the peak of a 'golden era' in the Song dynasty's rule. The exhibitors have blown up this painting to 30 times its size & animated the scene; complete with details of wine shops, boat quays, hotels, vendors, city wells, costumes, hairstyles, songs, chatter, and so on. Its accompanied by an audio guide which gives a lot of information on the life & times of the Song Dynasty (how a person's economic status can be told by the mode of transport he is on; impact of the travellers from the spice-growing countries of South East Asia; the status of government officials...)It's an impressive technological feat, an innovative idea, and a great way to learn about the culture and time of a bygone era. Even little K was impressed with the animated city :)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Chocolate dreams :)

This was from a charity event at work....The bank had organised an auction for art work created by under-priviliedged kids from all across Asia. I bid for this crayon-work by a 10 year old girl from India who was asked to draw her thoughts on the subject "My Hopes & Dreams". Her hand-written note at the back says that her hope is to be the master of a world made of chocolates where chocolate flows in streams and ice-cream grows on trees; and her dream is to live in a chocolate-house. We made an immediate connection there; I knew this piece of art belongs in my room :)

Friday, January 06, 2012

Another new year resolution

Sometimes we focus too much on what we don't have. Its time to focus on & cherish the wonderful things we do have.