Necklaces + Cardboard Models...

Today's highlight was making charms for necklaces. We were shown the hammering process and how to create forms from metal by using just a hammer and rounded steel base. The entire procedure was very simple, so decided to make three. Here's one of them [see left].


We started moving forward today in Glass. After several weeks of forming clay, we finally got to cast our designs in plaster this morning. Next week we will dig out the clay, left with just the plaster mold. Then we can finally melt glass inside the cavity. I can't wait to see how they all turn out!

Tonight, we had our first mandarin class, from now on will be 4 days a week. It will be a good help trying to decipher the language barrier.

Afterwards, I met with my group and began working on our fullscale model. We got some done, but will be spending quite a bit of time tomorrow completing it.

I need a day off, maybe one entire day committed to sleep.

Ps. Happy Birthday, John!!


Here are the other two necklaces I made today...

Pottery Wheels + Studio

This was the day I've been waiting for since I ever laid eyes on one; I used a pottery wheel today! I was so excited because I have always wanted to try! The process requires patience and a sensitive touch, too much or too little water can ruin the piece. This trip is making me want an art studio in my first house!
I ended up making two pieces, both would be great for potting plants! I wasn't that horrible at it for a first-timer either! By the end of class I was happily covered in clay spatter!

Studio was somewhat stressful for everyone today; trying to pinpoint the perfect design to move forward with is never easy, but seeing that our time here is very limited [only 19 days to construct a final full scale model] I think everyone is feeling the crunch. After 5 hours of meticulously critiquing, brainstorming, sketching, all 60 of us called it a day! I'm beat.

Tomorrow we will begin building our full scale cardboard mock-up of our chosen concept, after 8 hours of glass and jewelry classes. Whew! Better get some rest!

Ps. I have noticed that Taiwan has very few sunsets and have now grown to appreciate them when they make an appearance! This is the view from our studio just as class was wrapping up.

Aboriginal Taiwanese Tour + World Games Stadium

On Sunday, Shu-Te sponsored a Taiwanese Aboriginal tour for all international students. The chartered buses took us to the majestic mountains of Pingtung County. The aborigines performed quite a remarkable show, about an hour long, with traditional dances, songs + clothing. I found their culture to be so colorful with ornate tribal patterns. Here are some photos from the show..



































After the performance we loaded back onto the bus to have an authentic aboriginal lunch, and some of it was
"interesting" to say the very least! My Taiwanese friend Jimmy pulled this chicken foot from the pot of soup on the table and devoured it. haha, don't worry, I had no intentions of having the slightest taste...




We left the aboriginal park and headed for the Kaohsiung World Games Stadium. Now that is something to see. It is covered in a blanket of nearly 9,000 solar panels, which generate 1.14 million kWh of power. The structure was designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito.

Back to Shu-Te...

Our first day back to studio was spent figuring out a final design to move forward with and begin mocking up full scale models in cardboard. Lots of confusion and contemplation, but I think maybe we have it narrowed down to something... I think?

Meanwhile, in boredom, I scored these sweet glasses from a group-mate and saw it as a good photo-op...







During studio was the Product Design Department's final show. They displayed metal, jewelry, ceramics + glass projects, which were all very impressive. These students are very skilled individuals. The project in this picture is handmade by my friend No-no. The theme is obviously fruit, and is entirely made from metal. I think the apple core tea cup and saucer is the cutest idea!





International Day was held later, recognizing the cultures of Taiwanese Aboriginals, Malaysians, Indonesians, Thai, Vietnamese and Americans [of course]. Each country gave a performance unique to their country of origin. Luckily for us Auburn students, Lindsay has an awesome voice and James can play the guitar. They performed "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.

This group replicated a traditional Taiwanese Aboriginal dance, very cool.



Here are some beautiful Vietnamese girls in their traditional gowns.

After all of the performances, I got to taste some Aboriginal wine, a spicy Vietnamese dish + refreshing mango salad.

Day 4 in Hong Kong

Today we ventured to Ocean Park, a Zoo/Amusement park located on the most mountainous terrain possible. We took 4 completely gigantic escalators to the top, never before this trip could I say I rode an escalator up a entire mountain!? Awesome! haha

I'll spare you the wordy details + show you all the spectacular sights/animals I got to see upclose!

Park on a cliff.

Cliche Panda...

More Cliche Panda... haha

Red Panda.

On a skytram down a steep cliff.

Sea Jelly Exposures

Loves Sea Turtles...

Lion Fish, awesome.

The sea lions are not dead, they're sleeping... haha

After Ocean Park, I went back to Stanley Market to buy the souvenirs that I had missed out on the first trip! I was so happy + found some really great deals!

Day 2 in Hong Kong

We started the day by attending the PolyU design show in Kowloon. It was really quite impressive. They had work from interiors, graphic + industrial design, architecture and a small exhibition on green projects. I wish Auburn's CADC would come together and have a massive show once a year displaying all of our work. PolyU has represented their school very well!. Most all of the display tables were made from stacked cardboard cut outs, there were also some great cardboard benches + chairs, some tables...etc.

















Afterwards, we walked around the city some and ended up taking the craziest double-decker bus trip to Stanley Market. I wish I had video taped the experience, because the roads were twisting up and down these mountains, and I sat at the very front/top seat so I could see everything right as it was happening! I saw every brush with death, every close encounter, it was such a thrill + absolutely hilarious. No worries, we arrived safely to one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. This place has to be some hidden vacation spot for royalty because I have never seen more Maseratis, Ferraris, Mercedes and BMW's all in one vicinity, as I did today!

The market street was a great souvenir spot. I like to shop around too much before deciding on things, so that is one huge flaw of mine! [especially in a group of 11 people] I ended up buying only one gift! Before we left, I saw a coconut stand where they slice open fresh coconuts + you drink the milk. It was great, and felt just like a vacation should!


Hong Kong has been such a great
experience already, its very refreshing
to be here. It's nice to be in a melting pot again, where it doesn't feel like everyone is staring at you a lot.

Ps. We went to a McDonalds today and I ordered a double hamburger... needless to say, it was truly a Ham Burger... weirdest thing ever! A lot like two patties of canadian bacon... haha but definitely not the same!

Day 1 in Hong Kong

We just finished our first day in Hong Kong. Our flight arrived around 1pm, after getting situated in our fabulous 3.5 star hotel, we left for another extravagant "lazy susan" style lunch generously paid for by Tin Man and his wife. He ordered 55 small portions of food [to split between 13 people], all which was different than anything we've tried thus far + very delicious too. I'm amazed by the variety of food here, everyday I find something totally different to eat when we travel.

From lunch we took the subway to "The Peak." As it says, it is a giant mountain with shops/restaurants at the top that looks over all of Hong Kong Harbor for miles. To get to the top, we took a cable trolley at a 20 degree incline. It was so neat! Similiar to the incline plane in Johnstown, but more like a trolley from San Fran.






We stayed until 9pm, and the view of the city at night was breathtaking. The city was so lit up + the smog seemed to dim slightly. This was our view while sipping 7 dollar martinis, what a life! haha







This is the result of accidentally bumping the camera during a long
exposure... I think it turned out pretty awesome!

Tomorrow we are headed to the PolyU Design show + other adventures I'm sure.


Ps. I saw a Pizza Hut today and I fully intend on splitting and entire pizza with someone before this trip is over! haha