Cigar ash, a random drawing utensil I had at the time when I was barricaded at home, worked unexpectedly well, didn't make it again in the UK, I think I need some more of this special textured paper shipped over from China.
From the poem Ozmandias, two trunkless legs.
The rhythmic and graphic nature of the poetry recited, and the particularity given to the material, the giant legs of the statue turned to ashes in the desert of time, nothing can be eternal, what should be eternal is the heart of those in power who really think of the people, and the spiritual values that the artist celebrates for them, not the individualism of the fame and fortune.
It is not easy to get some good quality ash, as smoking a cigar requires a sense of rhythm, a slow and even pace, say forty seconds for a puff, in order to fully burn and hold the ash.
After trying many normal pigments I find that I still prefer to use powdered ash type materials, maybe it has something to do with the fact that I like to cook with a collection of catch seasonings.
I have always had a deep affection for Chinese painting, which is the treasure of Chinese culture and the root of my aesthetics. Chinese painting is characterized by the use of ink and brushes, lines and ink colors to express natural and humanistic scenes, it has a unique flavor and mood, which is refreshing to the mind. However, with the changing times, I also wanted to try some new art forms so that my works could better reflect the current society and life, and attract more audiences. So, I came up with the idea of painting with cigar ash.
Cigar is a high-grade tobacco product with a strong aroma and elegant temperament, it is also a cultural symbol, representing taste and enjoyment. Cigar ash is a special material, it is made from long cigar heart tobacco or whole tobacco leaves, its color and texture are different from ordinary ash, it can maintain a certain length and shape, and it can also reflect the quality and flavor of the cigar.12 I wondered if I could use cigar ash to paint, would it produce a new effect, with the nobility and charm of cigars, and the spirit and mood of Chinese painting?
I started my experiment. I used cigar ash to draw some simple patterns on paper, such as flowers, birds, landscapes and figures, etc. I found that the gray color of cigar ash and the ink color of Chinese paintings have a similar beauty; they can both show shades and variations, and they can both create a kind of ethereal and faraway atmosphere. However, cigar ash also has its differences, its gray is more delicate and soft, its shape is more random and natural, its texture is more rich and three-dimensional, and its smell is more rich and attractive. In my opinion, this kind of painting is a bit like dry Chinese painting, it doesn't have the flow and penetration of ink, but it has its own charm and style, it is a new artistic language and a new artistic expression.
Cigar is a high-grade tobacco product with a strong aroma and elegant temperament, it is also a cultural symbol, representing taste and enjoyment. Cigar ash is a special material, it is made from long cigar heart tobacco or whole tobacco leaves, its color and texture are different from ordinary ash, it can maintain a certain length and shape, and it can also reflect the quality and flavor of the cigar.12 I wondered if I could use cigar ash to paint, would it produce a new effect, with the nobility and charm of cigars, and the spirit and mood of Chinese painting?
I started my experiment. I used cigar ash to draw some simple patterns on paper, such as flowers, birds, landscapes and figures, etc. I found that the gray color of cigar ash and the ink color of Chinese paintings have a similar beauty; they can both show shades and variations, and they can both create a kind of ethereal and faraway atmosphere. However, cigar ash also has its differences, its gray is more delicate and soft, its shape is more random and natural, its texture is more rich and three-dimensional, and its smell is more rich and attractive. In my opinion, this kind of painting is a bit like dry Chinese painting, it doesn't have the flow and penetration of ink, but it has its own charm and style, it is a new artistic language and a new artistic expression.
In this random painting with cigar ashes, formally I think it looks like a dry Chinese painting. Like I said I like aesthetically classical and formally innovative I was worried at first that this kind of painting couldn't be considered a painting, a sculpture, or anything, and I uploaded this effect using ps to present a glass covered effect, at least it's now considered a photograph. My current thinking is that maybe in reality I can combine it with glass and other materials to make a solid sculpture, and also continue to explore what role digital processes can play in the classical aesthetic. In unit 2 I want to experiment with more materials and processes to put these beliefs into practice.
My thoughts now are that perhaps I could develop my work further to make it better and richer, as well as more interesting and meaningful. I think that maybe I can combine it with glass or other materials to make a kind of solid sculpture, to make my work more tangible and qualitative, as well as to make my work more valuable for viewing and collecting. I thought that maybe I could continue to explore digital processes to make my work more varied and innovative, as well as more interactive and participatory. I think that maybe I can find a balance and dialog between classical aesthetics and modern technology, so that my works have both historical and cultural underpinnings, as well as contemporary and social relevance. I think that maybe I can use my works to express my thoughts and feelings, to make my works more personalized and soulful, and to make my works more influential and valuable.
My thoughts now are that perhaps I could develop my work further to make it better and richer, as well as more interesting and meaningful. I think that maybe I can combine it with glass or other materials to make a kind of solid sculpture, to make my work more tangible and qualitative, as well as to make my work more valuable for viewing and collecting. I thought that maybe I could continue to explore digital processes to make my work more varied and innovative, as well as more interactive and participatory. I think that maybe I can find a balance and dialog between classical aesthetics and modern technology, so that my works have both historical and cultural underpinnings, as well as contemporary and social relevance. I think that maybe I can use my works to express my thoughts and feelings, to make my works more personalized and soulful, and to make my works more influential and valuable.
