Favorite Finds — Jan 2021
A curated list to spark creativity and wonder.
Welcome to the 21st volume of Morning Pages, a newsletter sharing inspirations to help you cultivate creativity and fulfillment in life.
Hi friends,
Greetings from Maine!
Last week I started something new. I joined the California College of the Arts as an adjunct professor for the MFA program.
I've always wanted to experience teaching in a university. My parents and grandparents are all teachers and professors in China. I grew up on a college campus and watched how my parents taught and guided their students.
In the fall of 2020, my former colleague Josh Silverman brought me on board to join the faculty. We’ve been collaborating on the curriculum for a few months before I officially started last week.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach remotely. Getting to know the students who are joining from many parts of the world has been delightful. Having spent lots of time mentoring and coaching, I found it easy to transition into teaching. I look forward to supporting the students to develop their mindset and advance their professional practice.
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed;
if in terms of ten years, plant trees;
if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
— Guan Zhong, 645 BC, Chinese philosopher.
For every last issue of the month, I’ll share my favorite finds of the month and personal updates. Here are my January favorites.
Tomoko Kawao
Tomoko Kawao(@kawaoto) is a modern pioneer in the art of calligraphy, known for original works such as the HITOMOJI series where she incorporates herself into the bold lettering. Watch this short clip of her painting with her large ink brush for the LOEWE Anagram.
Documentary: The Century of Self
The Century of the Self is a 2002 British documentary series by filmmaker Adam Curtis. It tells the untold and sometimes controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society. Curtis quotes a Wall Street banker saying:
"We must shift America from a needs-culture to a desires-culture. People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. Man's desires must overshadow his needs."
The first episode looked at the ways corporations began using psychoanalytic theory in marketing, using words and images to encourage women not only to smoke cigarettes but to smoke in public.
The lessons from these events from almost a hundred years ago are still strikingly relevant in today’s context. It prompted me to introspect my own desires and feelings, such as the Shiny Object Syndrome. How much was reinforced by our mass-consumer society?
#The100DayProject Daily Group
The 8th annual #The100DayProject is starting today!
Every year, thousands of people all around the world commit to 100 days of creating. Anyone can participate for free. Choose a creative project, do it every day for 100 days, and share your process online.
Elle Luna, who founded the 100 Day Project, is also doing a 100-Day daily group program. You can join a live and private online gathering space from 9-9:30 AM PST every day for 100 days.
For those of you new to this newsletter, I previously wrote about how Elle’s work inspired me to find my creative voice and start my 100 Day Project: Vol.2: The Place Unknown.
Art Book Sales by TASCHEN
I love art books. From my story: Vol 15: Discovering Old Design Books in Kyoto, you could probably tell that I’m always interested in discovering art books.
TASCHEN has given art book collectors the opportunity to fill shelves and cover coffee tables, by announcing its display copy sale at 25%-70%. Today is the last day of the sale of their display copies. Here are a few that I’m looking forward to reading.
If large and heavy art books are not your cup of tea, I love that they have released the 40-year anniversary edition. Many fan favorites are in this edition but in a smaller size and friendlier price.
Note: I’m not sponsored. I just love their books.
Thank you for reading this volume of Morning Pages. All views in this newsletter are my own. If you’re enjoying this newsletter and want to express your appreciation, spread the word and support the studio for the price of a cup of ☕️.
Yuan Studio is a space that explores the intersections of global cultures and identities. Currently, the studio is incubating a series of creative projects, such as Morning Pages, and coaching women and people of color to unleash their creativity and leadership potential. You can reach out on Twitter and LinkedIn.