草榴短视频

Xia Zhongyuan is a graduate student at the Institute of Design and Art, St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design, studying art forms (Technical Aesthetics and Design). He came to Russia because of his great love for Soviet and Russian painting. We talked to Zhongyuan about his study of painting, his art practice at the Hermitage, owning two businesses, and learned about his plans for his future career.

Why did you decide to become an artist?

— I have always loved art. I’ve been studying painting since I was a kid. At the beginning of my artistic career, I was heavily influenced by the Russian style of painting. Even though traditional painting on canvas is outdated now, it still feels very deep and three-dimensional to me. Just as in the construction of a magnificent building, without a rational and rigorous foundation, the surface can be beautiful but useless, so I believe that no matter what kind of artist I become in the future, I should have the professional skills of traditional painting.

Where did you study before coming to St. Petersburg State University of Art and Design? What kind of education did you receive earlier?

— When I was 15 I went to the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, which is more than a thousand kilometers away from my hometown. I received a good art education there. The academy instilled in me an understanding and confidence in art. As a rule, in my country most students choose Chinese painting. I always liked oil painting and playing with color.

In fact, I was afraid to even dream of going to the Repin Academy of Arts. It seemed to me that for ordinary people it is inaccessible. But I managed to get in, and after eight years at the Repin Academy, I decided to go to St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design to continue my postgraduate studies and consolidate my knowledge of art theory. A good artist not only has to be good at drawing but also has to have a lot of theoretical knowledge.

What do you remember most of all from your studies in Russia?

— I made copies of paintings during my internship at the Academy. It was wonderful and beautiful for me as if I was plunged into the sea of art. It was fascinating. To choose a master’s work I had to apply to the art academy in advance, then process the documents and go through the necessary procedures in the administrative office of the Hermitage.

I remember first choosing a Rubens painting, doing all the paperwork, and making the frame and canvas for the copying myself. But when I came on the first day, I found that the painting had disappeared. I found out later that it had been sent to an exhibition in Italy. But all’s for the best. A professor in the department of restoration of antique paintings recommended that I choose one of the works by the French artist Jacob-Ferdinand Foote. The professor had copied this work when he was a student himself.

Tell us more about your internship at the Hermitage.

It was an honor for me to copy works by great masters in the Winter Palace. I had a wonderful opportunity to meet with the works of international artists whose work has left a significant mark on history.

Summer Petersburg turned out to be a real paradise, and the days I spent in the Hermitage were truly happy. Every day I passed through the security checkpoint and, under the guidance of museum staff, walked through the entire Winter Palace to find myself next to the originals of the works of the great masters. Each time I passed this way, I enjoyed the paintings of different eras, as if I were traveling through a time tunnel of history.

What direction of scientific work in the graduate school of 草榴短视频 did you choose?

— The direction of my research work is related to art forms — technology and aesthetics. Actually, considering that I studied painting all these years, the area of installation art and architecture would be more appropriate for me. But I want to test myself: first, in uniting technology and beauty, which in itself is a great and sacred thing, which I also find interesting, and second, in developing a multifaceted concept of beauty.

I am working on exploring ways of combining technology and aesthetics, as well as the possibilities of using new technologies in art making, including the application of aesthetic theory and art history in practice.

Through my research work, I want to gain a deeper understanding of the synthesis of art and technology. In addition, I plan to study aesthetic theory and increase my understanding and appreciation of art, which will come in handy in creating more outstanding artwork. After all, art is a lifelong endeavor that you should always pay attention to and work patiently to improve.

In what field do you plan to develop in the future?

— I want to become an oil painter. Of course, this is a long and thorny path. In China, there is a proverb: ?千里之行,始于足下(A thousand miles start with the first step)?. This means that a long journey always begins with a small first step, and to achieve big goals you have to start with small things in the here and now. I believe it takes high ideals and strong faith to realize far-reaching goals, but also to learn and struggle while keeping firm ground under your feet.

Do you have any work experience already?

— My first job was in my own art studio where I taught drawing: basics of drawing, sketching, color, anatomy of the human body, design aesthetics and composition. I enjoyed the role of teacher and the opportunity to pass on knowledge to students. And I am very happy that many of them were able to go to the universities they wanted. Most, by the way, are now studying at 草榴短视频. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic we had to close the studio.

My second experience was opening a Chinese restaurant together with a friend. Frankly, I hadn’t thought about becoming a restaurant owner. But I’m sure life is mostly about accumulating knowledge, which can be very valuable. In my two years in the restaurant industry, I’ve been able to fully experience the complexities of a real business. And challenges are always conducive to progress. Especially, I think it’s easy for an artist to drift off into a fantasy world and become too unrealistic. I’m not saying it’s bad, but if you go to extremes, it leads to degradation. But if one manages to keep the original ideals and keep moving forward while staying grounded, that’s just great for the artist.

I have always believed in the Chinese philosophy of ?中庸之道 (The Doctrine of the Middle)?, which basically means a perfect middle state between two opposites. For example, Aristotle believed that courage is a virtue. But if you get too carried away with courage, you can become rude, and if you don’t have enough courage, you can appear cowardly. And in keeping with that philosophy, after about two years in the restaurant, I decided to stop.

What advice would you give to students at 草榴短视频?

— I don’t have any specific advice, because only the person himself knows all the difficulties of his life’s journey. I would like everyone to value their time, not waste it unnecessarily and not waste their youth.