Ah Leon's Memories of a Classroom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ah Leon's Memories of a Classroom - Essay Example This essay compares and contrasts two divergent forms of art -- Ah Leon’s ‘Memories of Elementary School’ and James Siena’s exhibit ‘Compare, Contrast, Connect’ – in terms of emotional appeal, form, and theme. While Ah Leon’s ‘Memories of Elementary School’ and James Siena’s ‘Compare, Contrast, Connect’ are ostensibly divergent forms of artistic expression, there are a number of comparative aspects in terms of emotional appeal. Leon’s exhibit is a conceptual piece that recreates an elementary school setting; conversely, Siena’s exhibit contains four etchings with juxtaposed images and colors. In terms of emotional appeal, Leon’s work harkens back to memories of childhood and the process of education. This is contrasted with Siena’s work that is more highly abstract, as it depicts vague exploratory images. In these regards, Siena’s work plays more on direct and int uitive emotions through its elaborate color design and vivid imagery. Still, it’s clear that both images share some emotional qualities. In these regards, they are both clearly concerned with challenging intellectual quandaries. Although Leon’s work contains emotional nostalgia, and Siena’s direct emotional appeal, there is also a removed sort of intellectualism inherent in both works. Another prominent consideration in terms of these works of art is their form. Within this context of understanding, the works perhaps demonstrate their most divergent qualities. The first consideration in these regards is Leon’s ‘Memories of an Elementary School’ as noted above this is broadly characterized through its depiction of seats and chairs of a Taiwanese elementary school. Within this work there is strong regimentation as well as etchings in the desks that further add expressionistic details to the art. In terms of categorical form, Ah Leon’s wo rk clearly falls under what has been termed conceptual art. In these regards, the art form but questions the nature of art, as well as expresses meaning. This aspect of form can be contrasted from Siena’s ‘Compare, Contrast, Connect’. This exhibit can be categorically placed within the context of the abstract art movement and is divergent from Leon’s work in these regards. Indeed, Siena has frequently been characterized for his work in abstraction ("Harlan & weaver," 2010). The work functions less as a self-reflexive question on the nature of artistic expression and more of in terms of the artist’s personal vision. Still, both forms make demands on the viewer as they force them to consider subtle undertones. In Siena’s work this emerges as the viewer is asked to consider the juxtaposition of the four etchings. Ultimately, both forms are on opposing artistic spectrums. A final consideration of these artistic works is in terms of theme. While t hese works seemingly exemplify divergent thematic structures, it’s possible to find similar thematic elements. One of the most notable thematic elements of Leon’s work is his exploration of the rigidity of Taiwanese education. Within this thematic concern is clearly Leon’s characteristic exploration of scale. Indeed, it’s been said of Leon’s other work that, â€Å"The effect of Ah Leon's obsession with scale here is not simply to stun viewers but to move them" (Chung 2000). While Siena’s work lacks a thematic investigation of scale, it does explore a similar mode of personal expression. In these regards

Three Years of the Korean War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Three Years of the Korean War - Essay Example It was the early days of the Cold War and the attentions of the Soviet Union and U.S.A. was more focused on the European theatre than on the Koreas in Far East Asia. Yet, Korea and the Korean War would turn out to be the first theatre to demonstrate the extent to which the grand alliance of Russia with the other Allied powers during the Second World War had fallen apart in the fight by the remnants of the Allied combination against communism inspired by the Soviet Union. At the end of the war there were no territorial gains or prestige for either side, except a rise in the esteem of the newly emerged communist China.1 The Korean War would not have been extended, causing more casualties and suffering, but for the unnecessary invasion of North Korea by the UN Forces led by America. The Course of the War The North Korean invasion of South Korea began on June 25th 1950 and the unprepared army of South Korea could not offer strong resistance, and North Korean troops quickly reached the Se oul the capital of South Korea. American reaction was swift. President Truman in keeping with the American policy of containment of any expansion of communism feared that the fall of South Korea would create a breach in this containment policy and rushed support to the beleaguered South Koreans. In addition, support from the United Nations was obtained, so that more nations could come to the aid of South Korea. Though the immediate result of the America intervention did not go well, the famous Inchon operation by the commander of the American force General MacArthur led to the defeat of the North Korean forces in South Korea. They retreated into North Korea. In spite of disapproval of the Truman administration General MacArthur decided to enter North Korea and inflict a total defeat of North Korea, even if it meant risking war with China. This was the fateful decision that brought China into the Korean War, extending its duration and increasing the number of casualties during the co urse of the war. 2 There is clear evidence to show that had General MacArthur not send American led UN troops into North Korea, China would have kept away from intervening in support of the defeated troops of the North Korea. The Korean War hardly invoked any interest in China. The leaders in China were more concerned with Formosa and the Nationalist forces present there. This clearly indicates that the North Korean provocative action was a decision of their own, for their interests. China woke up to reaction only when there was the threat of American led UN forces invading North Korea, bringing an unwelcome presence of these troops on its borders. Even then it issued enough warnings against such an invasion. The lack of Chinese willingness to become an active participant in the Korean War can be seen by their conveyed willingness of remaining inactive, if the invasion was carried out only by South Korean troops, and would respond only if the invasion force included elements of othe r nations. Unfortunately, buoyed by the success at Inchon, the wrong belief that China would continue not to respond, and false confidence in the might of the American led allied forces, the invasion of North Korea was led by the elements of the American forces that reached the banks of the Yalu River, forcing China to respond to this threat. But for this decision of misadventure, hindsight clearly shows that China would not have entered the Korean War that led to an extension of the war, its intensity, and