Cleaning the Soul: Aquarium Graves- Yu Chung-Yen’s Art Works in Watercolor Painting

• Main Authors: Yu, Chung-Yen, 游忠諺
• Other Authors: Shieh, Hong-Juin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/v5f774

碩士 === 國立清華大學 === 藝術與設計學系所 === 106 === This thesis is based on the life and death of aquarium, using watercolor as a drawing material and explore the possibility of completing. In order to relieve the pressure in my life, I started planting aquatic plants in aquariums. Planting aquatic plants and feeding fishes just like building a water garden as though enjoying sky where birds flew. It provided me the value of watching and feeding studies. However, I was confused by the death of aquatic plants in the creating process, and I was curious and mournful about the place where the soul went after the death. It made me realize that aquarium scene was artificial. In this mixed scene of nature and aesthetics, life is not as tough as its appearance. Error during taking care process, will lead to the collapse of the entire circulatory system in the small and confined environment. I felt overwhelmed when I saw the death of plants and fishes. What kind of mentality should I have for dealing with their death? This was a difficult problem for me. Then I pondered whether I can provide a visual platform for them. Therefore, I explored watercolor painting in the process, which is from realizing the scenery of the aquarium to exploring the skill of watercolor scrubbing treat as a ceremony to recall the soul. After scrubbing, the appearing color is a symbol of the soul, depicting the world after death. 　　In the first chapter, “Introduction”, I’ll explain the research motivation, purpose, research content and methods. In the second chapter, “Aquarium Realm”, I’ll analyze the culture of aquarium, including the experience of contacting with the aquarium and the transfer of my mood. I was inspired by Thanatology then analyzed the artists who made watercolor paintings by scrubbing method. In the third chapter, “Graveyard: the landscape of Death”, I’ll explain the meaning and form of grave and make the experimental document about the process through the scrubbing process. In the fourth chapter, “Analysis of Series Paintings”, I’ll interpret the series of works: “Aquarium Landscape” series will be the depiction of the scenery in the water; “The Aquarium Graveyard” series will be the depiction of the souls in the aquarium; “Aquarium Farewell” will be the farewell ceremony for the souls of the aquarium. In final chapter, “Conclusion”, I’ll make a conclusion about this research paper and explain the possible development in the future.