Week 1: Two Cultures

I was introduced to the idea of two cultures years ago when I first immigrated from China to Canada. Not only in the culture of language and nations, but also in different perspectives of art and different approaches in the education of art, science, math and more. Both the readings, "Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution" and "Third Culture: Being in Between" talked about art, science, and technology and opened up new ideas to the topic. As a Chinese-Canadian student, I was able to gain insight of the two cultures in very different environments. In China or Chinese education, Art is more technique based. Whereas in western culture and education, it is more about idea and creativity.

http://www.widewalls.ch/installation-art/

http://myartmagazine.com/dragon-splash-pencil-drawing-paul

As a DESMA student, in the process of taking studio classes and general education classes, I see the two cultures often portrayed differently. Our department embraces technology and creative design, while other departments such as computer science neglect art and only focuses on the task. 

Instead of saying that this perspective changes my thinking, I would rather believe it guides my thought process. Such perspective allows me to learn in the field with a holistic approach. Science, art, technology are ever progressing in their own ways. It keeps us busy, adapting, learning and creating. In such perspective, we can observe, reflect, and evolve.

References

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo. 34 (2001): 121-125. Print.

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print. 

TEDxTalks. "TEDxOxford - Marcus du Sautoy - The Two Cultures: A False Dichotomy." YouTube. YouTube, 06 Jan. 2012. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.