On 2nd February, I went to Cornwall House to watch "Song Dong: 36 Calendars". When I first went inside, I thought the room was big and not a lot of space was used. The whole color was just black and white, which was simple. There were many papers on the wall and tables. When we then got closer to the papers, we knew that all papers were drawn by pencil. There were total 36 annual household wall calendars, more than 430 papers. Song Dong's drawing inspiration was from his daughter's drawing book. He wanted to draw all the things that he still remembered from his childhood and adult (1978-2013) by pencil to make annul calendars. The reason for no coloring was that he hoped to keep the papers for one layer only. Also, he invited people to come and draw on his work.
I really love this art work. I think I was like watching his diary, which should be secret. He drew a picture of the most special thing for that month, described the things and wrote his feeling about them. All were done by pencil and I think that was like a child’s work but the drawings were exquisite, Indeed, I really know more about him. For examples, he was poor when he was young; he had a happy family; he experienced some special moments. I think I am like going into his heart. I really appreciate that because it is not easy to draw back the memory of his early life and draw thoroughgoing.
My favourite one is the picture of him and his girlfriend (his wife), which was over 20 years ago. From this picture, I can feel that he loved his wife so much because he still remembered the things and what they talked when they were still having a companionship. That was sweet.
For me, I had more feelings on some paintings, such as Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, because I knew that event and I wanted to know what he thought of it.
Also, Liu Xiang got the champion in the Olympic Games in 2004 but lost it in 2008 and 2012. Song Dong thought that the Olympic Games aims to encourage people to do more sports. We should not just focus on getting champions. I really like his opinions because that was unique and positive.
Besides, the colouring of his work by other people had drawn my attention. They could draw anything they like, even rubbed his work and repainted on it. Some of them were really creative and I believed they were children. I hope I was in it because I like Song Dong’s drawings!
I think this colouring could encourage people to write a diary or the things which are special to them. When we become older, the things we did before may be forgot. If so, what is the meaning of life? Therefore, recording all the special things, crazy things, stupid things, meaningful things you have done is really important. It can let you remember all these moments and your feelings. When you look back of these, you can still remember them and know that you have change the world a little bit. For the things that you did wrong or you didn't know how to handle, you can reflect yourself in the diary and change to be better to make improvements. That’s life! After visiting his art work, I want to write a diary too!
