Why Do We Teach Art? 我们为什么要教艺术？

This term, we welcome Desmond Mah as our artist in residence. We speak to Desmond about the importance of teaching art, and overcoming the drive for perfection.

这个学期，我们迎来了Desmond Mah担任驻校艺术家。我们与Desmond探讨了教授艺术的重要性，以及克服过度追求完美的问题。

Please explain what you have been doing with students at YCIS Beijing.

请讲一下您在北京耀中带领学生们做了什么工作？

The unique cultural identities of our students have been the main impetus for my project here.

我们学生的独特文化身份是我本次来的重要推动力。

The students have been working in clay, beginning with the form of a panda and then putting their own identities onto it. The panda: because it is China’s national animal. Clay: because it is mouldable and can take on our own characteristics. I want the students to explore their identity through these clay pieces, creating a metaphor for themselves in China.

学生们用黏土捏制熊猫，并且捏出自己的特点。选择熊猫：因为它是中国的国宝。选择黏土：因为它是可塑的，可以进行个性化创作。我希望学生们通过创作这些泥塑来探索自己的特点，创造一个象征自己的中国形象。

Why is studying art at school important for young people?

为什么在学校学习艺术对于年轻人很重要？

In this age of technology, we communicate all the time, but we do not take the time to express ourselves meaningfully. Art is a means to communicate more deeply.

在这个技术时代，我们一直在与人沟通，但却没有花时间真实的表达自己。艺术是一种更深入沟通的手段。

I also find that young people these days are used to perfection. Images online, digital photography and advertisements are all perfect. I think it is important to encourage students to embrace uniqueness and see the power of imperfections. They’re actually very expressive.

我也发现现在的年轻人喜欢追求完美。他们经常接触到的网络图片、数码照片和广告都看起来很完美。我认为鼓励学生接受个性并具有接受不完美的能力是很重要的。他们实际上非常富有表现力。

What do you want the students to learn from your visit?

您希望学生从您这里学到什么？

I think our students are afraid to show themselves and make mistakes. Brands tell them that perfection is already out there to buy, and that their work cannot compete. But I would like them to understand the power and importance of making things with their own hands that represent themselves.

我认为我们的学生害怕别人看到自己的不完美而不敢表现自己。他们的作品虽然不如商场里出售的名牌工艺品，但我希望他们能够理解亲手创造工艺品所带来的力量和重要性。

[ARTIST IN RESIDENCE] Artist in Residence 驻场艺术家: Dhaneshwar Shah

[SCIENTIST IN RESIDENCE] Introducing YCIS Beijing's Scientist-in-Residence! 北京耀中国际学校驻校科学家

[WRITER IN RESIDENCE] Delighting Writing! Our Writer in Residence 愉快的写作！ 北京耀中作家驻校课程