Elementary Studio (ES) Art Exhibition

On 27th February 2020, famous artists graced the vibrant ES Studio of a new Art Era … that of fresh, inspired young minds and hearts.

The viewing public gathered in the large, freshly-minted BU11 ActonKL ES Studio ‘Gallery’ to sample innovative and creative interpretations of not one, but 3 famous artists – all of very different styles and backstories. The scene was set for an art revolution, or at least a revelation.

The highly anticipated Exhibition, co-ordinated by Jun Hung, Chelsea, Apsara and the ES Guides, kicked off to a roaring start when Emcees Kotowa and Sufyan called the excited public to please be seated for the presentations to commence. The buzz was tangible in the Studio.

Welcome, everyone, to our first ever Exhibition in our new school! Let’s get the show started! Emceeing is a valuable tool to pick up … the Eagles learn pacing, tone and how to cover up any issue with banter while keeping your cool.

WWF Presentation

The Exhibition was kicked off by Vega who passionately shared with the gathered attendees about the main beneficiaries of the day’s proceeds – the worthy cause of WWF. The Eagles had decided to donate all proceeds of the art sales and the culminating auction, as well as their hard-earned Eagle Bucks that they earned through conscientious work and good behaviour in the Studio, to help WWF continue the good work of helping animals in need. The bulk of the proceeds would be going to the upkeep of a turtle named Terry Teetle that the Eagles had adopted. Vega’s impassioned speech fired the crowd to loosen their purse strings to give more freely to the cute little critter.

We’re donating all the money we raise today plus our Eagle Bucks to help upkeep Terry Teetle the turtle through WWF. Charity work creates awareness in the Eagles of the bigger picture and their role in it.

Put however much you want in here for Terry Teetle!

The more you put in, the more you will help WWF help the animals!

Art

Leonardo da Vinci

Arjun took the mic and shared his Hero’s Journey as he probed into the life and works of the original Renaissance Man – Leonardo da Vinci. He shared that his biggest trial was not knowing what to focus on as the great scientist, artist, mathematician and inventor had so many facets to his inspiring life. Arjun told the gathered group that he eventually settled on da Vinci’s work with 3D objects.

Chelsea then spoke of the great man’s death – how, where and when this inspired mind left us.

Sharing your Hero’s Journey helps you to process your experience as well as practise your presentation skills.

Vincent van Gogh

Clara spoke of her Hero’s Journey of joining Acton from a Chinese school and experiencing an Exhibition for the first time. She shared that although the Studio’s systems took some acclimatization, her buddy Kotowa was infinitely supportive and encouraging. Clara’s Final Showdown in her Hero’s Journey was during her attempts at van Gogh-inspired artistic work. She shared that at the very last minute she still felt that her work had room for improvement, but her buddy encouraged her to have confidence in herself.

Clara was so brave to share her Hero’s Journey, having just joined Acton and this being her first Exhibition. Through sharing, we grow!

Zulayca spoke of Vincent van Gogh’s work and how it changed as his state of mind deteriorated – from the sunny, bright images of ‘Sunflowers’ to the dark, tumultuous swirls of ‘Starry Starry Night’. She shared about how his family, especially his brother was an influence in his life and work and how he felt close to and respected the peasants, which was reflected in his painting, ‘The Potato Eaters’. Zulayca shared that her favourite van Gogh painting was ‘Starry, Starry Night’.

My favourite Vincent van Gogh painting is ‘Starry Starry Night’ because of the swirls and colours. When Eagles explore their preferences, it’s also a form of self-reflection.

Pablo Picasso

Chucky and Jun Hung presented an animated Q&A session about Pablo Picasso. Jun Hung was the interviewer and fired rapid-fire questions at Chucky, the interviewee. They went through what Cubism is, the different kinds of Cubism, what kind of work Picasso did, his most famous work and what inspired Chucky about the painter. Chucky shared that Picasso is an art idol and that he wanted to be like him when he grew up.

Conceiving of a different kind of presentation takes guts and a flair for the pizzazz. Chucky and Jun Hung’s animated banter really entertained the audience!

Poetry

Poetry is another form of art and the Eagles delved into 3 forms of poetry over the Sprint. The viewing public were treated to some samplings of their poetic jottings in the forms of limerick, haiku and free verse.

Chelsea, Clara, Arjun and Lucas read out their hilarious limericks which elicited chuckles from the audience. Apsara’s poignant haiku evoked a beautiful scene and Jung Hung and Ana’s free verse showcased their characteristics very aptly.

Limerick may sound light-hearted and fun but it actually has a very strict structure that is more complicated than it seems.

Reading your poetry to the public is nerve-wracking, but the Eagles are confident in themselves. Apsara shared her haiku with the audience to a positive response.

Free verse is fun and you can do anything with it! Ana seemed to enjoy sharing her poem, despite her nerves.

Art Viewing & Sales

The Exhibition attendees were then let loose to roam the Studio gallery and sample the artistic offerings of each Eagle. Sales were fast and furious as the viewing public marvelled at the Eagles’ dabbling into high art – their unique interpretations and original artwork. The artwork was presented together with the poems that inspired them, which added a whole new level of meaning for the viewer.

Xania created a painting featuring Matilda – a girl who wrote nothing in her exam because her poem was entitled ‘A Poem About Nothing. Zuhair took viewers into a detailed analysis of da Vinci’s sketching and hatching techniques. Kotowa evoked calm and peaceful feelings with her ‘Picnic Under a Sakura Tree’ and Jun Xi created excitement with his ‘Firework’ piece.

Sharing your work with the public is a scary concept but the Eagles get to practise this essential skill a lot. Some are worried about going off-script, but it’s actually better if they speak from their heart and experience.

The space in the new Studio afforded a more calm, organised and comfortable Exhibition, a fact that both the Eagles and the attendees appreciated!

Isn’t my fat cat cute? Buy him for a good cause! Xavi’s sketch fell under the Analytical Cubism umbrella.

The Eagles practised da Vinci’s different styles of sketching and hatching and realised that something that looks so simple is actually quite intricate.

Kotowa’s ‘Picnic Under the Sakura Tree’ evoked a calm, peaceful feeling. This was her version of Picasso’s Analytical Cubism.

Vega’s dabbling into Synthetic Cubism reflected her emotions … can you see which 2 emotions?

Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Was ‘s hand at Synthetic Cubism asking the question of whether we had a little bit of both in all of us?

Is the cat looking irate because of that pesky rat? Jasmine’s piece was a subtle nod towards Analytical Cubism.

Can you tell which van Gogh-inspired piece was reminiscent of his earlier work and which were inspired by his work that came later?

The Eagles’ experimentation with da Vinci’s sketch and hatch work. Exploring 3 art techniques allowed the Eagles to choose which they felt the most affinity with.

Sufyan ad Cleave decided to offer games to entertain the public and their art-inspired Hangman and Memory games were well-received.

Where have I seen this fact before?? Was it the one in the middle at the bottom?

A good game of Hangman is always fun, and this one is educational!

Art Auction

Finally the viewing public’s attention was drawn back to the centre stage for the highly-anticipated Art Auction, featuring 5 pieces of art voted upon by the Eagles. Apsara did a great job as support team and planning with auctioneers Sufyan and Jun Hung Alex presented his ‘Forest’, Vega presented her “Forest Fire’, Apsara presented her ‘Mountains’, Zulayca presented her ‘Baby Yoda’ and Jun Hung presented his ‘Lonely Forest’. Bidding for each piece was hot and heavy as the viewing public clamoured to snap up the the artwork. Bids were driven up and up and … the stunning highest bid of RM103 went to Jun Hong’s ‘Lonely Forest’, successfully snapped up by none other than his good friend Chucky!

Jun Hung’s ‘Lonely Forest does elicit such a feeling of isolation and hopelessness.

Zulayca’s ‘Baby Yoda’ may look adorable, but he still has all the wisdom of his (grand?)father Jedi.

Vega’s ‘Forest Fire’ was fuelled by her anger at what humans have done to Mother Earth.

Apsara’s ‘Night Sky’ feels like a snapshot of an alien planet.

The idea of a yawning forest in Alex’s ‘Forest’ is so evocative.

Bidding was hot and heavy at the Auction! Jun Hung and Sufyan”s auctioneer skills were effective!

All in, the first ever Art Exhibition in the BU11 ActonKL ES Studio ‘Gallery’ was a roaring success. The total proceeds? RM1,000 to help support Terry Teetle the turtle! A brilliant artistic endeavour, ES Eagles!

Middle Studio (MS) Silent Exhibition

The MS Eagles had been observing Noble Silence to reflect upon their Facing Death and Embracing Life Quest, and the practise was continued throughout the Silent Exhibition that showcased their Reflections, Eulogies & Epithets, Embracing Life & Facing Death Poems, Thoughts of Death, Bucket Lists and Visions of Life After Death.

The MS’ Silent Exhibition was reminiscent of the somber yet celebratory mood of a funeral service.

Visitors were honoured to be given a window into the MS Eagle’s inner-most reflections and thoughts about Life, Death, and what it means to live a life well lived. The window into the MS’ hopes and aspirations, their fears and bravery must have been as cathartic for them to out-pour as it was inspirational for viewers. It is so uplifting to be given hope that such self-reflective youth represents a bright future.

Reading the MS Eagles’ Eulogy Poems makes one reflect … what would I say about myself?

What are your thoughts on Death? It’s not something we generally think about, yet to have the MS Eagles reflect on The Final Passing when they are just beginning their lives means that they can come to terms with it and not fear it.

Eulogy and Epitaph. What would you want written about yourself? To have to write their own eulogies and epitaphs seems a bit morbid, but it actually encourages them to think about what kind of life they want to live and how they want their loved ones to remember them.

Do you have a Bucket List? A list of things you want to do before you go?

The MS Studio library is stocked with Deep Books that make one think about ‘Embracing Life and Facing Death’. There are also many books detailing the Hero’s Journeys of Heroes from all walks of life.

‘Your Vision of Life After Death’ The Eagles explored what’s out there in the Unknown?

Many of the writings brought tears of pride and emotion to the eye, especially with the thought that such young souls, just on the cusp of their lives, were already reflecting on what they wanted to be remembered for.

The somber yet celebratory tone of the Exhibition was a fitting culmination of a 3-Sprint deep dive into Biology that analysed Medicine, Treatment and Death. Thank you, MS Eagles, for baring your souls so honestly!