Friday, August 14, 2009

Dreamcatcher and Moon Balloon

I hung these up today:











thought i would post these here

-nicole

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Chinese Gardens Write Up

My walk got off to an awkward start as I tried to obtain a student ticket using only Chinese. I took out my Chinese Student ID card and she didn't understand until somehow she was able to recognize the characters for "Da xue," which means "university." I obtained my student ticket and was on my way with my bubble tea (quick note: Bubble teas in China cost $0.40 not $3.50!!!). After entering the gardens I stuck to my first rule of going in a counterclockwise direction. The entry doors to the garden reminded me of traditional Chinese doors, especially a pair I took a photograph of in the Forbidden City in Beijing. The garden itself had a lot of general/typical Chinese culture cluttered into a very small space. The garden itself certainly resemble Hangzhou/Suzhou, which are both nature/water towns. The bridges and the majority of the architecture were spot on, and I started to recall specific areas/photos that the garden resembled. I started down a plant filled path, and the path instantly reminded me of the time I went on a hike through some tea farms. Although the scent was not the same, it helped me to recall the wonderful smell of fresh green tea leaves. The garden only had one full moon doorway, but it reminded me a lot of my favorite city, Yangshuo. There was also a small scale mountainous structure that resembled Mt. Huangshan. Every time I stopped for my two minute reflection I was able to point out a lot of things that reminded me of China, e.g. the roof tiling, and only a few things that did were not Chinese, e.g. plant life that one would never see in China...I could only assume because of the climate of Portland is why they used these plants in the garden. My favorite part of my walk was when I saw an empty pair of chairs with a table in between. I instantly remembered a pair of old men in the small town on Tunxi, who were taking in a mid-afternoon game of Chinese checkers. One of my favorite photos, the happiness this photo evoked was revitalized. One another one of my breaks I took a few pictures of a bridge that reminded me of a small garden we had at my university in Shanghai. A beautiful, small, tranquil place to study or talk. I wish I could have walked over the bridge in the gardens and be transported back to Fudan University, but unfortunately it did not happen....maybe next time! I feel like the Chinese gardens were an accurate portrayal of a lot of structures/landscapes you would in China, but not in one city. Overall, my experience in the Chinese Gardens was a positive one and my "China-withdrawls" were taken care of.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Underground Photography

This was something I watched this spring. I thought it was pretty incredible and brave for this woman to go out on her own and document these things. Our recent work on walks and maps reminded me of this video & I want to share it!

Chinese Gardens write up

It won't let me copy and paste from Microsoft word so I will re-write it later because I am already going to be late for class!

A Walk through the Chinese Gardens

Walking Assignment
By: Nick Ramil

Every day, I think about my time in China. From the scent of breakfast from my favorite food stall to the amazing landscapes/architectural designs I saw on a daily basis, I miss it all (Especially the food!). Therefore, I decided to walk through the Chinese Gardens of Portland, to see if this quarter of a block in downtown Portland would be able to stimulate any of my senses or memories from my time abroad.

The rules:
1. I can only speak Chinese
2. Every 10 minutes, I must take a 2 minute break and see where/how (sight/smell/sound/ect.) my surroundings remind me of China.
3. I have to walk in a counterclockwise direction.
4. I can only eat/drink Chinese food/beverages
5. I must identify 5 different landmarks/cities the Chinese Gardens resemble.

I will document my walk by:
1. Making a map
2. Photographs
3. Write up

MY MAP

Mackinroe Walk

http://vimeo.com/6036241

Chinese Gardens Vs. China II




Chinese Gardens vs. China









A Day Downtown--Kari








































Rules for Walking: 1. Pick a city to walk in that you know well 2. Bring a camera to take pictures of what you find along the way 3. You can go alone or with a friend 4. Pick any spot in the city where you want to start walking 5. Make sure the walk is an hour long (put on a timer or check your watch) 6. Pick a day where the weather is good for photography (rain may not be ideal) 7. Make sure you write down where you are going as you go 8. Turn right or left every five blocks depending on which direction you feel like going

Objectives:
-Look for interesting compositions to take pictures of (notice things you would otherwise walk by and not take a second glance at)
-Be aware of where you are walking, but that you are not necessarily going in a certain path (even though you know the city, you do not know your destination) -Your final destination depends on when the clock reads an hour later after you have started walking -Enjoy what you are usually too busy to see

Words/phrases that describe my walk:
-historical
-aged
-new and old
-weather beaten
-calm
-resurrected into reincarnation
-home
-local
-enchanting











AA: Overheard at First Thursday

For this walk I decided to take my first ever tour of the Pearl's art gallery scene. Some friends and I went to First Thurday and milled about with the other patrons of the night. But we were on a mission.

I wanted to pay attention to how people were reacting to the art. I took pictures, recorded some (mostly unsuccessful video, and wrote down everything anyone said that was striking.




Here's what I collected.


"I should buy that one for my mother!"
-Elizabeth Leach Gallery

PDX Contemporary Photography

"Shit Happens."

"I just realized... I don't really like pictures of trees"







Ogle Gallery
*Man makes jacking off motions, pretends to ejaculate*




Special Rooftop/Apartment Show, Broadway and Flanders.
"It definitely feels like a nautilist"
















"Oh My God, I see it. That's crazy"
Rooftop exhibition

"And the message was like 'Oh man!'"







Tribute Gallery Opening
"We're calling it Design à Trois."

"I once went to Pepino's and ate a burrito with that artist."







"This one is sparkly." Children, before a sculpture at PDX Contemporary Art.













Tyson Gallery
[Artist]: I was afraid it would be toooo serious. Like, THIS IS THE WAY THIS IS."


Reflexions
[Artist]: It was entered into a contest, but I guess the Germans don't get it.

Spkr 1: I like that chair.
Spkr 2: It's a squish chair.
Spkr 1: It's like sitting on a tomato.


Froelick Gallery:
"This woman needs a witch doctor!"


PDX Contemporary Art.






Elizabeth Leach Gallery




Froelick Gallery (THE ONE WITH THE WARHOL)




















Video Clips: