Friday, June 29, 2007

The Female Nude, Chinese Painting


The Female Nude

By Yang Zhiguang

A native of Jiexi Country, Guangdong Province, was born in October 1930. He graduated from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts. He was vice president and professor at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. He is now a council member of Chinese Artists Association and a curatorial member of Research Institute of Chinese Painting.

What is known as "Chinese painting" is the painting work, created with tools and materials (mainly writing brush, water ink and natural mineral pigments) peculiar to China and used to reflect the Chinese traditional cultural spirit and aesthetic taste. Rooted in the aesthetic idea of the theory "man is an integral part of nature" based on the thinking of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, traditional Chinese painting follows the creative principle of " Learn from Nature without and comprehend by heart within", and the distinguished characteristics of the expression language is ideal. The form traditional Chinese painting presents is imagery, and even the traditional Chinese slightly realistic painting characterized by fine brushwork, close attention to detail and heavy colors is also in pursuit of implicitness and imaginativeness. Its language of brush and ink is of rather stable standard forms, with lines as the primary plastic means, supplemented by the water ink or color ink block shaping, striving for the vigorousness of lines and the lasting appeal of ink colors. However, the expression language of Chinese painting is not closed, conservative and stagnant, and the broad-minded Chinese cultural spirit determines it is bold in and good at assimilating foreign artistic nutrition to enrich and reinforce itself. Therefore, in the long process of history, the Chinese painting of traditional form will, keeping the pace with the times, develop in evolution uninterruptedly.


By Shao Dazhen

Professor with China Central Academy of Fine Arts

Director of Theory Committee of Chinese Artists Association

Monday, June 25, 2007

The Lakeville Regency, Shanghai, China







At the heart of the bustling city, by the side of a tranquil lake.
Where the successful resides,
where sophistication reigns.
With the subways and highways in the vicinity,
you can go anywhere you want.
With the nearby trendy stores, grand theatre,
international clinic, five-star hotels,
international school, and parks --
your needs are satisfied, your wants fulfilled.

Painstakingly planned, sublimely designed, and artfully embellished with greenery. The Lakeville Regency makes sophisticated living an everyday reality.
  • 17 Art Deco style luxury residences
  • About 7,000 sqm private club
  • About 10,000 sqm elegant French landscaped gardens
  • Man-made lake, adorned with fountains

Blessed with first-rate exercise facilities, the 7,000 sqm luxury private club, helps enhance the physical well-being of The Lakeville Regency residents. Multi-function sports hall (basketball or volleyball court, or badminton courts.....), indoor tennis court, 25-metre indoor heated swimming pool, indoor rock climbing, golf simulator, massage pool, sauna, steam, function room/banquet room, private cinema, music room, children's play room, billiards, dance room, roof-top tea house and cafe, business centre and internet room, fitness centre, spa, lounge.

Developer: Shanghai Jing Fu Property Co.

Unit Size: Range from 92 sqm to 576 sqm (1 room to 5 rooms duplex)

Sales Price: RMB 45000 to RMb 49000/sqm

Location: No 168, Shun Chang Road, Lu Wan District, Shanghai, China

Tel: +86-21 6386 8881

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Chu Shui Japanese Restaurant, Shanghai China

Ox tongue



Wagyu refers to several breeds of cattle genetically predisposed to intense marbling and to producing a high percentage of oleaginous unsaturated fat. Also known as Kobe-style beef, the meat from Wagyu cattle is known worldwide for its marbling characteristics, increased eating quality through a naturally enhanced flavour, tenderness and juiceness. Because of the Wagyu cattle's genetic predisposition and special diet including beer and sake, wagyu yields a beef that contains a higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than typical beef. The increased marbling also improves the ratio of monounsaturated fats to saturated fats.

There are four major breeds of Wagyu (wa means Japanese, and gyu means cattle, or simply "Japanese cow"): Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled, and Japanese Shorthorn. Japanese breed names include: Tajima, Tottori, Kochi and Kumamoto.

Most Kobe Beef today is bred and raised in California and Australia. For example, Harris Ranch in California is contracted with beef producers in Kobe to breed and raise their cattle in California, where land and grain is relatively inexpensive. The cattle is raised and fed under the exacting specifications for Kobe Beef. When the cattle is almost ready for slaughter, it is shipped to Kobe, Japan, where its feeding is completed, and the cattle is slaughtered.

On the other hand, the Japanese Blacks (in particular the Tajima strain) are noted for their capacity to produce beef with a high degree of fat marbling (or sashi). It is this characteristic more than any other which accounts for the steady increase in the popularity of the Japanese Black breed.

The Japanese grading system was devised in the early 1960's. At that time, cattle had traditionally been fattened when fully mature after years of work in the fields or, in the case of diary cows, after several lactations. As Wagyu cattle have always been prized for their highly marbled meat, it was only natural that the grading system should place great emphasis on the degree of marbling, or sashi. Over the past three decades there has been a conscious effort to deemphasize sashi in grading. Nevertheless, the degree of marbling still dominates meat evaluation in the minds of traditional producers and wholesalers.

There are six grade categories:
  • Special Selection or Super Grade (Tokusen)
  • Choice (Gokujo)
  • First Grade (Jo)
  • Second Grade (Chu)
  • Third Grade (Nami)
  • Under-regular Grades (Togai)

From "Beef in Japan" by Prof. John W. Longworth, University of Queensland Press

Cu Shui Japanese Restaurant served Imported Japanese Wagyu, Dalian Japanese Black breeds crossed with native cattle, local native cattle.

Chu Shui Japanese Restaurant

L605, Shanghai Times Square, No 99, Huai Hai Zhong Road, Shanghai, ROC

Tel: +86-21-6385 3078

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Suzhou Museum, China











Founded in 1960 and originally located in the national historic landmark, Zhang Wang Fu palace complex, Suzhou Museum has been a highly-regarded regional museum with a number of significant Chinese cultural relics. The new museum designed by world famous architect I.M. Pei was completed in October 2006, covering over 10,700 square meter and located at the cross of Dongbei Street and Qimen Road. The design of this new museum visually complements the traditional architecture of Zhong Wang Fu. The new museum houses over 30000 cultural relics -- most notably for excavated artifacts, Ming and Qing Dynasty paintings and calligraphy, and ancient arts and crafts.

"My Dearest Little Daughter" ----- Suzhou Museum by I. M. Pei
Suzhou Museum
204, Dong Bei Jie, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China 215001
Tel: +86-512-6757 5666
Fax: +86-512-6754 4232

Max Mara New Store Opening in Shanghai Times Square


Founded in 1951 as the first fashion collection by the founder Archille Maramotti, Max Mara is the best-known name of a number of lines produced by the Maramotti family which is one of the largest manufacturers of women's clothes in Italy. Max Mara new store on the 1st floor at Shanghai Times Square just opened in May 2007.

Max Mara
Shop No L111-112, Shanghai Times Square
No 99 huai Hai Zhong Road, Shanghai
Tel: 86-21-5351 3578

Gu Yuan (Hometown) Antique Tea House, Shanghai, China


























Kuo Jiaxin, born in 1949, nickname "Shanxi Kuo", also known as Charlie Kuo. The 53rd direct descendent of Kuo Ziyi, the Great General of Tang Dynasty. The family has been in business for generations. Due to the family influence, Kuo fell in love with antiques when he was very young. When active as a commander of Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution, Kuo had generated stronger passion for antiques after participating in the movement of eliminating the socalled "four types of old stuff - the old ideology, old culture, old customs and old practice". From then on, he started to learn, study and collect the ancient cultural heritage, specializing in Shanxi antique furniture. For 30 some years, he has traveled through the whole province. Kuo has always kept in touch with the academic circle and has published several academic articles in various magazines. He has interviewed many times by domestic and overseas TV stations. Currently he is preparing building a museum for Shanxi traditional furniture. As a tea and traditional Chinese music lover. Kuo opened the Gu Yuan (Hometown) Tea House in Shanghai, where has hosted several times Mr. Deng Shihai, Chairman of Taiwan Puer Tea Association, also the professor of Taiwan University, who acclaims it as the No. 1 tea house in China. As a celebrity of the China tea circle, Kuo is an expert in both antique furniture from Shanxi and tea culture.

Every time, I open the Lady's Cabinet, A. D. 1820 Pingyao Shanxi, I think of her...............

Gu Yuan Antique Tea House

1315, Central Fuxing Road, by Fenyang Road, 200030 Shanghai, ROC

Tel: 86-21-6445 4625

Fax: 86-21-6406 9269


Wednesday, June 13, 2007

sensibilite boutique, The Curve, Malaysia





sensibilité
elegant, contemporary, chic

sensibilité is fashion focused on workmanship, quality fabrics and individual style. Just as each of our customers is unique, every piece of item created is an exercise in quality detailing, usage of special fabrics and distinctive designs.
Romantic nostalgia of past eras gently infuses the women’s collection with the use of brocade, lace and other intricate details while remaining contemporary in style. Comfortable, timeless lines with rich,warm tones of brown,tan, burgundy and fresh colours however, define sensibilité’s men's collection of suits and casual wear.
sensibilité will bring you fashion and accessories for men and women focused on quality fabric and individual style. From work to casual wear, you'll find something at the boutique to suit your style.
Malaysia
Lot 175A, Level 1, The Curve, Jalan PJU 7/3 Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603-7726 4998
Australia
Shop 2, 102-108 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Vic 3141, Melbourne, Australia
Tel: +613-9820 0494

Sunday, June 10, 2007

DRs Seager & My Skin (Face)




The 3S Concept - Simple, Safe N Speedy!
DRs Seager's anti-ageing formula works on my skin from within. Its highly effective ingredients penetrate the dermis layer to remove dead cells and bring out new skin cells below to rejuvenate my face.
DRs Seager delivers the 3 major antioxidants, Vitamin (A, C, E) deep into the lowest layers of our skin, helping to restore and build up healthy skin cells from within.
Vitamin A - Lack of Vitamin A causes the skin to become dry, rough and lacklustre. When applied directly to our skin, it removes wrinkles and pigmentation caused by sun exposure. Vitamin A also promotes cell metabolism and blood circulation, giving our skin a healthy glow.
Vitamin C - Not only Vitamin C protect our skin by increasing its moisture balance, it has a rejuvenating effect. It is proficient in skin whitening and fading of pigmentation and dark spot, inhibiting the formation of melanin concentration. Vitamin C also assist our skin in the production of collagen, which helps our skin to maintain its firmness and elasticity.
Vitamin E - By preventing the oxidation of lipids, Vitamin E effectively protects our skin from the assault of free radicals. This helps to speed up healing and maintain skin's natural elasticity, adding resilience to it.
Just 5 simple steps
1 cleanser >> Formulated with Citic Acid (Vitamin C), this daily cleanser gently and effectively removes makeup, impurities and dead skin cells to reveal perfectly clean and radiant skin, maintaining its natural moisture. A combination of plant extracts and aloe vera oil smoothes and refreshes our skin.
2 toner >> Rejuvenates our complexion with this follow-up toner formulated with plant extracts and Citric Acid (Vitamin C). The mild botanical astringents gently adjust the skin's pH level to optimise benefits from remaining reconditioning components in this skincare programme.
3 skinlight >> DRs Seager skinlight is formulated with Vitamin E and Vitamin C to balance melanin production so as to prevent freckles, age spots, sun spots and other pigment related problems, giving our skin an even, lighter tone.
4 skinrecon >> Specially formulated with vitamins and highly efficient active ingredients, DRs Seager's skinrecon initiates exfoliation of unhealthy skin while accelerating the growth of new cells and blood vessels, giving our skin a healthy pinkish glow. It also stimulates production of collagen, reviving skin's elasticity and firmness.
5 sunscreen >> DRs Seager sunscreen helps prevent premature skin ageing and unwanted pigmentation by providing skin protection against the damaging effects of sun UVA/UVB rays. This moisturing sunscreen also hydrates the skin to enhance cell renewal.

DRs Seager is suitable for anyone, men and women between 14 to 80 years old.
For any further explanation, do contact my skin consultant Ms Elaine +6012 - 232 9639

Friday, June 8, 2007

Warm Nest Miri Malaysia


Berkenu, Miri, Malaysia











A truly Malaysia Nature & Beach getaway. Nestled at 30 minutes away from Miri, the oil town of East Malaysia. This hot summer season, sunny, sandy beaches, blue sky, the inviting sea water, lovely & fresh seafood with fresh coconut water.




Tan & fond memories...................