die Ideenkiste |
created by: Albert Arron Pramono fb: http://www.facebook.com/albertarron twitter: @simplyalbert nothing complicated, just trying to burst out all of my enamored ideas from this complicated brain. Here it comes, die Ideenkiste (an idea box). enjoy :D |
Weird title? Well the content of this post might not be related to the content, yet that’s the only ‘suitable’ title for this interesting post. Okay let me just start now. When I was in IB, I have this one particularly interesting physics teacher. I might not remember what kind of physics that he taught me, but one thing I always remember about him, his PRATA theory of the future. Whutt?? Yeahhh every time in class without fail, he always told us to stop studying, stop trying to reach fine universities, and just open a prata stall and start making money! Whutttt x2? Hahaha well, a bit of background story, in my previous school there is a prata stall that is so successful (even until now) that during lunchtime or even after school time, a long queue is a usual sight in front of tht stall. We always thought that he just used it as a joke, with partial truth thoo. Once he tried to do a calculation in class and GOSHHH HE IS RIGHT! THAT PRATA MAN IS RICH! HAHA
1 year plus has passed and I almost forget that story until this morning when I was reading through twitter. I somehow saw one of my junior’s twitter. He posted about how that same physic teacher telling the class about the “prata” story again! Hahahaha HE KEPT SAYING IT FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION! LOL what a teacher I thought! But, after I think about it again and again, it’s actually something interesting to be thought again. One question popped into my mind, “why he keep saying that ‘theory’ continuously from generation to generation to generation below?” Not trying to be proud of my school, but praise God my previous school was known to be one of the best IB school in the world, and it’s kind of easier to get into good universities from our school, and I bet he knows well that we can make a lot of money once we graduated from those good unis! Why he kept saying tht prata story? There must be something important in that perfectly logical story.
Then five minutes later, funnily God nudged me. I’m not lying, it’s seriously like somehow I heard someone whispering “Simplicity” into my brain. That’s the keyword behind the prata story. I might be over analyzing his joke, but yeah I learn this and it is earnestly something crucial for each one of us. The key of reaching success is SIMPLICITY. Hey guys, wake up! many of us often are under the illusion of “sureness” of making pathways reaching that goal which such complication and forget what’s really important in the process. The Key of success is being simple in any complicated ways surrounds you.
“Being thankful to God and trusting your future into His hand”
Putting this concept further deeper, so what is my definition of “simplicity” or “being simple” here? It’s simply acknowledging what you have now, without forgetting what you want for the future. Or making it simpler, “Being thankful to God and trusting your future into His hand”.When Jesus said “It is finished” on the cross, He didn’t only mean that all our sins are forgiven, but also ALL THE PLANS FOR OUR FUTURE have been done by Him! Beautiful, isn’t it? ;)!
Hey people! the key to success is in His hand. Why worry much? From today, just start being thankful to God on what you have, without forgetting your dreams and ambition. Oh, but surrender them under His feet, let His will be done. He has greater plan for each one of us. You will be amazed on how He works! So guys, be simple!
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14
Auf wiedersehen
SAFE IN A CRAZY WORLD
well, tmmrw is my 3rd exam, and honestly to say, it’s one of the paper that really kills people (often) HAHA! but yeah, instead of panicking (a bit thoo ;p) and being stressed, I just surrender everything to Him. I have done my best, His turn to spell the magic XD! He keeps me safe in this crazy world and makes it beautiful ;)
well, leaving you guys with a song by Corrine May, one of my favourite. Enjoy and Gute Nacht all!
Auf wiedersehen
Safe In A Crazy World
Beautiful Seed
Have you guys ever felt that you are stressed / depressed even though everything run smoothly? Kind of weird rite? But yeahh, it just happened just now. Tomorrow is my second final year paper, Chemical Reaction Engineering (actually it is the subject that sounds the coolest among the ones I am studying. Hahaha), YET I feel depressed. Everything is alright, I almost covered everything that I need, but still I feel depressed without any reason. Well I dunno why and, yeahh after few hours mingling with the same negative atmosphere, I opened Youtube during dinner, just to have fun as usual, but today was different. Something happened. Few years back, I was addicted to this singer, her name is Corrine May. But I have not heard her song for soo long, and somehow today my youtube just RANDOMLY out of nowhere opened “Beautiful Seed- Corrine May”. AND SOMEHOW INSTANTLY my ghostbumps just rolled around me and it smoothened me! I think God works digitally too through our life. Hahaha
Listen to a minute talk that she did before se sang the song! Well yeahh it’s about Beautiful Seed. She said that all of us began as a small ‘seed’ and we keep growing and growing, and WOW! All those potentials are contained on that small ‘seed’. We have the potential all contained within us, even now! We are growing and growing.
Well what we are now, depends on how you see it. You can see yourself as nothing in this world, or you can start seeing yourself as a beautiful seed. The first consider himself/herself as just a tiny impossible-to-grow rock. The second consider himself/herself as a beautiful tiny seed with possibilities beyond comprehension. Both might can’t do anything at all now, but a seed can grow. That’s what will make a difference in our lives. Be a person of hope, faith, & love.
“ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:6
Without talking further, here is the song. Hope you guys enjoy it, and reflect on it. Oh anyway, wish me luck for exam tomorrow! (will straight away study again after this! ;p) ps: I will start listening to Corrine May’s songs again! Such a blessed singer! :D:D!
Here is the link & lyric of the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oyYUA-32Fc&list=PL81F8B8EE16C2836D
Beautiful Seed
I can fill the darkness with just one flash of light
Break the the silence with just one word
Warm the fire-started revolution
One that can save the world
On the steps of Washington sprinkled like confetti
Thousands of people sing “We shall overcome”
The preacher shouts: “Let freedom ring”
He gave his life for what he believed
Chorus
You can be a witness You can be a prophet
You can make the whole world believe
Break the strongest fortress Change the way the world thinks
You can build a bridge where foes can meet
Hope for the future
Shout it, don’t whisper dreams are what make them to be
There is hope in every heartbeat
Tiny as it seems
You’re a beautiful seed
She’s a pastor’s daughter
She’s only 16
But her heart and her belly are breaking at the seams
Her boyfriend blames her
He want to pay for the doctor to wash it away
As she lays in the hospital
A Christmas choir is singing
About a child in a manger fragile and small “Unto us is born a Savior”
She looks at her baby and cries as she sings him a lullaby
(Chorus)
Every hope, every power lies in the heart of a seed that flowers
Intertwined all across the land
We’re all seeds in the maker’s hand
Auf Wiedersehen all :)
Hey All! I know I will be having my first exam tomorrow morning! Bt I can’t resist to tell you guys about something that happened to me this afternoon. It was interesting and actually it reminds me on something that caught my mind before. SO here it goes.
Basically around 3 pm, after studying & revising from the morning, I decided to take a 2 hours nap in the afternoon. So I slept. BUT!! 30 minutes later I was awaken by my random dream! YES IT IS EXTREMELY RANDOM AND MOVIE_LIKE DREAM. On that dream, I was in a pirate ship with loads of pirate inside it, and somehow the scene moved so rapidly into a living room where I was looking for a ‘mysterious’ scroll, and then it moved again into a dark place where I was faced with a death angel. It came near me with it’s moon-shaped huge blade. When it was about to kill me, somehow a random Samurai, out of nowhere, slashed that upcoming blade, and saved my life. On that very moment, I woke up! It was seriously like a movie, yet random. O.o
Right after I was awaken by that random dream, I was just like starring at my window.. confused on what just happened… LOL… but one thing that really scared me on that dream was.. death visited me… Then out of nowhere, a question came to my mind. “When was the last time death visited you? What will you do when it really happens?”
Well, for me, to tell the truth, it was last year. Seriouslyy?? Some of you might ask that. Well not really that it visited me, but I got the glimpse of it. It was almost around this time last year. I was doing check-up at a hospital in Jakarta as it was one of the requirement to get the UK student visa. After I have done the check up, I was called by the doctor that helped me with the check up, and she told me that there was something wrong with my lungs. She said it showed a defect where it showed a shrinkage, and it might go further.. I was stunned!! With my asthma background I believed it’s possible! Totalyy!…. That very moment, my mind just thought about loads of stuff “whyyy??? To mee????? I’m like soo young, single, unmarried, no job, no taste of growing up.. and … going to… diee?? aaaaaAAAAA!!!!!!”
Well after that, immediately that doctor assigned me to go to a lungs doctor down stair and did some other X-ray shots, etc. Making story short, 2 hours later I met the lungs’ doctor and after several checked he said IT IS ALRIGHT! The check-up doctor was wrongly diagnosed me with something that I don’t have. PRAISE THE LORD!! Hahaha funny story right? Well funny for you maybe, but it was a nightmare for me last year! But good things, now I appreciate life more! ;)!
So guys, what is your action next if you know death is going to visit you soon? Will you only live to the fullest when death is nearing?
Not anymore for me :D:D! Try to live everyday as it is going to be the last day of your life. Life is too precious to be wasted guys! Haha okayy, time to sleep and be ready for my first final exam tomorrow! Wish me luck people!! XD
Auf wiedersehen!
Ps: for those doing exams too, Good luck, Study smart, and don’t forget to Pray!! :D:D!! Ace and get flying colors!!!

Haha Exam week is here finally! Well don’t judge me why I’m sneaking some time during my revision time for writing this post! Today I’m quite proud of my self as I managed to really study for more than 10 hours! With some hours of break in between thoo! Henceforth, considering that amount of study I have done, I should reward myself with some free time! Am I right guys? Hahaha well instead of me facebooking/doing some internet “sightseeing” (in a good way thoo), I want to bring out something that has been troubling my mind lately, Yes it is about decision in life.
Well why? What happen? Well lately as you know that during exam time, as usual, you will see notice unexceptionally people will start groaning and complaining about what they study, bla bla bla in fb and twitter, and it’s affecting me in a negative way! (That’s one of the reason you should open fb and twitter less during exam period ;p) Well putting that aside, always during exam time I always get a question inside my mind, “Why am I taking Chemical Engineering?”. Did I make a right choice? Have I made full use of my opportunity here in Manchester?
But besides that, yesterday somehow I got a chance to talk with a good friend of mine in the States. I told her that I am having a hard time studying for my exam, and I groaned about how hard Chem Eng life is. But then she told me about her life there where she’s currently having an exam period as well and she’s still juggling with her part time working and application to work attachment in Alaska! Fancy that! In a snap moment, what she said really slapped me. Only one question hovering inside my mind, “my life is nothing compared to her!”. I then realized I’m just stressing out about studying for exams, and doing nothing else! THAT IS MY LIFE. JUST STUDY STUDY STUDY for exam, nothing beside that! Not productive! How my future will be if it keeps going like that?
Then the next thing striked my mind, like a hammer smashed a nail, should I achieve more? Should I sacrifice more time doing more stuff? Expanding my wings? Work part time? Make money? Join loads of uni organizations? Meet more friends? Find job attachment now? And the list goes on… Basically that 1 day self-thought and reflection really consumed much of my spirit, and it arrived at a conclusion: I’m tired thinking about it! Not arriving at an action, but tiredness, even before making a decision on what to do next!! AAAAAAA!!!~
Weird? no, but that tiredness actually pointing out at something important that might propel my life from now on, which is why I really want to share this post to all of u. I finally arrive at a deduction or hmmm maybe you can say a beautiful statement as my heart and brain agree with that conclusion. So yeapp, on that moment of tiredness, I arrived at an idea, “Why don’t we just be thankful on what we are now?” beautiful isn’t it? The moment I thought about it, somehow I feel like all my burden and expectation just flushed away from my body. :’)!
And that is the main point of this post. Okay, I know all of us want to step into a higher ground by putting a heavier expectation and efforts, and it is required! But what is the right attitude to achieve that?
“ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. “
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Yeapp I found it. The only key to achieve more, is to be thankful in everything you have now. And of course, never compare your life with anyone else! Be grateful upon where you are now! Be grateful of God’s grace upon your life!
My life now might not be as awesome as my friend there in the States, but I know that I have achieved something. Right now I might just be focusing on studying studying and studying, but who cares? I know what I am doing and I have my own dream to achieve! Well what I realize is that we have ‘moments’ in our life and it has never been intersecting with anyone else ‘moments’.
So yeah, from now on, I rather enjoy to the maximum where I am now without forgetting to put my utmost heart on everything I am doing. My pace might be faster/slower than people surround me, but who cares? My life is my life! Why should I worry about life where there is another option to enjoy every single breath that I take?
So guys, Be grateful, and strife + enjoy the pace of asking for more. Don’t do something that you think will make you greater, but do something that you enjoy. Because what you enjoy is the one that will propel you to the higher ground.
So, hope this post blessed you guys! Time to go back doing revision!
And oh, forgot to mention to you guys. I know exam period seems to be very stressful as loads of things need to be covered and practiced, but yeahh right now I’m trying to enjoy everything, and if I can, I want to enjoy doing my exam papers *crossing fingers*. And you guys should too! ;) Get flying colors guys! Don;t forget, there is God’s FAVOR in the life of each one of us :):)
Auf wiedersehen!
Halohaa all! Hahaha actually I wanted to write this post about Gabi’s Birthday day ‘report” (sounds so formal) haha yesterday, yet I didn’t have enough time to write it yesterday (was studying & playing guitar too much! Check out my previous post for me playing guitar + singing. Ihihihi not bad uh? ;p).
So, on last Sunday, the 13th May 2012, we celebrated Gabi’s Birthday! It was indeed a superbly fun day for al of us. So at 12.00 midnight, whe 13th May has just shown its face, we did a unique Bday surprise (well it’s a revenge for me actually, that’s why I’m so excited ;p)! hahaha
So basically we worked together with Youmin, Gabi’s flatmate! (if you ever wondered how we can sneak into St. Gabs, the all girl dorm! Hahaha. Oh putting a funny note too, Gabi is staying at St.Gabs! haha if u get the joke ;p so, basically Rivel, Nova, and I we sneaked inside St.Gabs. So to start the story, Three of us was planning to hide inside the kitchen while Youmin asking Gabi to go to Youmin’s room to help her with something, where then we can crash to Youmin’s room and bring Gabi’s out to outside (where the others are waiting to surprise her with splashes eggs, flours, and some fancy solution to her!) yet then because the kitchen was being used, we hide inside the public toilet in front of Youmin’s toilet! Three of us squeezed into a small toilet! fancy that!) Apart from that minor change, the Plan ran very smoothly! Oh forgot to tell you guys something interesting, when Me & Rivel ‘kidnapped’ Gabi from Youmin’s room, we were wearing Super Junior Mask! Siwon and Kyunhun face! Gabi was totally freaked out when she saw us with that masks. Honestly to say, I think it was very scary too. HAHA Yeapp all our planning went smoothly into a resounding success!
Check out the video footage of the surprise here, it was taken by RIvel’s phone. It was very vryy funny! Check it out! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3788296301583
After her Birthday surprise, all of us went to Australasia Restaurant (http://www.australasia.uk.com/) , at Deansgate, Manchester to celebrate her birthday (of course not straight away, but on the evening). We all went there dressed formally where actually I’m quite amazed with almost everyone’s appearance, especially Gabi’s! hahaha cos she didn’t look like a girl a.k.a youngster ;p anymore! She looks very mature and elegant with her dress! Lovely! Apart from her, everyone else look so different too! Very smart and elegant! ( I was looking good too thoo! hahaha It actually open my mind that I should reducing my level of alayness bits by bits! I look better when I’m not alay! *duh, why u just realise it albert…* haha!) We had an amazing time there as a it has been a long time that we all haven’t met up with each other.
And oh! also putting a special note on the ambience of the restaurant and the food as well! From the deepest of my heart and soul (lebayyy) I think it is one of the best restaurants in Manchester as they have incredible atmosphere combined with unbelievably perfect cuisines. Having loads of endeavor and experience on tasting loads of food around the world from kaki lima until high class Restaurant, I really put my highest respect to the food standard at that restaurant. From it’s aesthetics, it’s texture and taste, the services, time when they are served, and of course how they are served are beyond perfect. It sets a new standard on my mind about how a restaurant should be. I will make sure one day I will open a restaurant like that in Indonesia. * hint * Ps: the waiters and the waitresses were looking great too!! Hahaha
Without talking too much, I let you guys enjoy the photos! Some of the photos are taken in courtesy of Ray & RIvel! Oh one more time, I would like to say a big Happy Birthday to Gabi’s! You look Gorgeous on your birthday! No more bocah, but a lady now! keep it up! ;)! Cheers!

The Siwon & Kyunhun (Super Junior) masks that I made! pretty scary after I think about it again ;p!

Me & RIvel Wearing the masks! scary? ;p! (Photo courtesy of Ray)

Our masterpiece Solution poured! hahaha good for skin? ;p (Photo Courtesy of Ray)

all the culprits with the victim in the middle (Photo Courtesy of Ray)

I was thinking to smash the cake to her face, but yeahh the cake is too nice too be smashed! HAHA (Photo Courtesy of Ray)

Patisserie Valerie cake! :) (Photo Courtesy of Ray)

The happy bocah with all of us! (Photo Courtesy of Ray)

We gave her a lomo! her lifelong dream! hahaha enjoy! you can see how excited was she! (Photo Courtesy of Ray)
Okayy, time for Australasia now! XD

The bar side of Australasia resto

The resto


The waitress in charge of our table. Her name was Sophie if I’m not wrong ;p!

looking handsome? ;p

The fierce side of Gabi! hohohooooo ;p

Angie, Imee, & Sigit!

Arvy & Fifi!
Fifi

Ella

Gabi, Nadia, & I! (courtesy of RIvel)
Yuke

Rivel

Ray & Nova (looking good together?) ;)! *poke poke*

The special Sashimi! love the way they serve it!

The best shrimp ever!





Okay, now lastly, time for Gabi’s elegant shots! :)!







and here I present my best picture of the day. I really really love this picture! it just perfect! I dunno that I can take such a nice pic! well it must be a combination of the beauty of the model and the awesomeness of the photographer! huahauaha (gosh, I can’t content my alayness! hahaa)

she is sweet here rite? best pics!! Happy Birthday Gabi! :)!
and oh almost forgot! ya, my pic with the bday girl! (guess what, from the whole pics in my camera, there were only two picture of me. yet this is the only proper pic of me!) well I look short here nxt to her! I hope i still can grow. *sob* ahaha

That’s all for this post guys! gosh, it;s a super long post! hahaha see ya again nxt time! ;)
Auf wiedersehen!
Because of Jesus
Hi all! Hahah it has been almost two years since I posted me myself playing guitar + singing! Hahaha today I want to post it againnnn! Well why I started again? Well the only answer is.. I’m bored!! I was studying for the whole day and I’m quite tired of it. So instead of ‘stalking’ people on fb or doing my ritual looking at Edward Suhadi’s Production or Axioo photos for relaxation, I tried to do something different today, and yeahh I record a cover by me!
The song that I chose is “Karena Cinta”. It is a very famous Indonesian song made by Glenn Fredly for Delon & Joy in the first Indonesian Idol. Well why this song? Because I love this song since long timee agooo! It has a super duper deep meaning. Many people might only say this song is about the love between two person. Well it is true! But for me it means even deeper.
This song always reminds me how amazing God’s miracles in my life. It is just simply because of His love that I can be here today. My sins are forgiven and yeahh it is the reason that I must live to the utmost of His Calling. It reminds me how I should not waste any single second and any single breath of my life. Always try to do something fruitful. Well especially during this exam period, this song really encourages me to really give my utmost energy to study well for Him. I have come so far here to Manchester to achieve something special, not just simply having fun, but to achieve what I can’t achieve back home, and also glorifying His name.
So without further due, I present to you “Karena Cinta” cover by me. Oh below is the lyric too. Try not to laugh from how bad I sang the song (often out of tune), hmmm but yeahh u can laugh if you like, a bit hopeless here, even I laught at my self when I hear it again. HAHAHA but nvm, enjoy and hope you guys are inspired!
Karena Cinta - Glenn Fredly
Hari ini adalah lembaran baru bagiku
Ku di sini karena kau yang memilihku
Tak pernah ku ragu akan cintamu
Inilah diriku dengan melodi untukmuDan bila aku berdiri
Tegar sampai hari ini
Bukan karena kuat dan hebatku
Semua karena cinta
Semua karena cinta
Tak mampu diriku berdiri tegak
Terima kasih cinta
Auf wiedersehen
Heyhoo all! as I promised I’m posting the latest photoshoot that i did last week! *drumm drum drum bells* hahaha. For this time round, unlike other photos that I have taken previously, it;s kind of special as It is really my first time taking photos seriously for a pre-17 photos, and not in Indonesia, but in Manchester, UK! fancy that! hahaha
Gabi (her name is actually Gabriela. lol) is one of the youngest members in our Indonesian society in Manchester. Okay going to shock everyone, she’s still 16 when she entered university (it was just last year thhoo) and she is doing Biology (soon to be Biomedical Science ;p)! It explains how smart she is rite?! ;p! goshh, I remembered still playing around like a kid when I was still 16. Gabi is a unique woman/bocah! Smart & pretty, (yet she’s 4L4y too) huahaha!
Telling you guys a funny story during the photoshoot. Well apparently Gabi didn’t feel comfortable to be shoot like a “modeling shoot”. I told her to achieve that kind of ‘model’ expression is by “tabok-tabok” her face. Hahaha (believe me it works.. at least for me.. hahaha). But it didn’t work for her! Every time she tried that, she would always give her “shieeeet’ face ;p (hope she didn’t read this part *crossing finger* :p). So yeahh most of the photos here, if you guys realized, are mostly candid photos, and guess what, it suits her extremely well! To think about it, candid photos are actually muchhh better than the modeling a.k.a “tabok-tabok” expression as it shows who you really are :)! Hahah, will try more candid shoot nxt time ;p
Back to the topic, (gosh, why I can move topic instantly -.- zzz), She’s turning 17 in few days time, which I bet she’s really looking forward for it! hahaha well loads of wishes for her, yet for now I will leave her with a quote from the bible:
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
So without further due, I let you guys enjoy these photos. These photos might not be the best in the world, but these are Albert’s best. Yes, it is Albert’s style! hahaha I’m trying a new concept so hope you guys enjoy the photos. And once again, Happy Birthday Gabi! :) Hope you like it ;)!
Oh, for full album, check out my fb :)!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Ps: one song suits you now Gab: “Sixteen Going On Seventeen”- Sound of Music Soundtrack ;p! hahaha




















Heyhoo alll! hahaha few days ago, I did a little photoshoots with Gabi & Ella (two pretty ladies ;p) in Whitworth park, Manchester. I feel so honored snapping photos for them! They are so lovely! :D:D!
Some of you might ask why on earth I’m doing this during these exam months?? I realize that it’s nearing exam time, but why not trying to catch some time in between having fun rite? Study hard, play hard too! ;) haha Anywayyy, we had a really great time and loads of laughs during the photoshoots. And also I was accompanied with 2 of my ‘photomates’ / Nikon hater *sigh* and Yuke too! Well to think about it, it’s kind of a mini-picnic in a way thoo! hahaha
Making things short, these shoots might not be that great for you, but hope you guys enjoy it! presenting to you, ohlala! Ella! :)










and here I present all of them! ;p

(Ray, Yuke, Ella, Gabi, & Ray)^^
That’s all for now! Come back to my blog on Wednesday night! (well it is 12 am Thursday actually ;p) note: Manchester time
See you guys again soon!
Auf Wiedersehen
It has been almost 2 years from the last time I wrote my IB final TOK (Theory of Knowledge – kind of philosophy subject) essay, and somehow I found it and read it again. (ps: I honestly say I miss those timein IB ;)!) Well, instead of just wasting that particular file to be stored on my harddrive without any significance, then I will post it here on my blog.
It might not be a great essay, but it’s worth sharing rite? who knows someone might be inspired from reading this essay ;p! Well I really want to share this, as this essay was not just something that I write straight away after the idea stucks on my mind. But I seriously did research, made several drafts, discussed with friends and mentors, and also included some of my long deep thinking. It took me almost 4 months to finish this essay! So, without further due, enjoy the essay! Give me your comments if you don’t mind!
International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge Question 2010, Prescribed essay title No. 8 : “Art is a lie that brings us nearer to the truth” (Pablo Picasso). Evaluate this claim in relation to a specific art form (for example, visual arts, literature, theatre).
Visual art is a graphical form of art, which encompasses fine art, sculpture, interior design, and many more. As one of the earliest forms of art, it has evolved through the ages. Picasso claims that art is a lie that ironically brings us nearer to the truth. I personally agree with this claim.
Picasso claimed visual art as lies because it is generally created as fiction or as it supposedly appears as. Lie often can be identical to imagination as well. Although an art piece is claimed as a direct reproduction of truth, knowing the limited perception of the artist and the observer, the truth conveyed appears as partial truth. One example is my incapability of hearing Galton’s whistle blow, but my dog can. Human is only able to hear a limited range of sound frequencies. Perception limitation causes us to be only able to convey partial truth. One might be in front of an absolute truth but only be able to see a partial truth. Likewise, declaring a partial truth as truth is a lie.
Nevertheless, lies in art are often created in order to convey the truth. Through this irony, understanding of the truth is brought further to its utmost. The New Yorkers cover depicts Obama in Arabian clothes and Michelle Obama in military attire shaking hands[1]. The satirical caricature of Obama supporting Osama and Michelle’s militancy is literally untrue, but it leads to understanding of the facts behind the US politics false rumors during the president election period. Hence art is a lie, on both ways, intentionally and unintentionally.
The paradoxical claim of visual art leads to a knowledge issue, “How is truth implied through Ways of Knowing in the lie of visual art?” Truth is something that correlates with fact, agrees with our belief, and is practical in life[2]. I personally believe that language and emotion play major roles in the implication of truth from visual art in the Area of Knowledge. Language is the method of verbal and nonverbal communication while emotion is the mood, naturally occuring state of mind that we feel towards a circumstance. Language and emotion affect one’s understanding and perception of truth.
Going further into the discussion on lie and truth, the truth which art brings nearer can be differentiated into two different approaches. The first approach is that visual art generates the development of truth (truth mirrors visual art). In short, visual art helps one to discover a part of truth, which is yet to be revealed. Understanding of partial truth opens a gate of development of human understanding the truth on various Areas of Knowledge.
Visual art has greatly moved and changed the truth in the area of science significantly. However, science has not reached the absolute truth. Science development is still in flux. Many impossible things on the past have been transformed into reality in a glimpse of an eye.
One example will be the science of flying. It begins with a Greek Mythology Poet of Icarus[3] on “Methamosphoses” by Publius Ovidius Naso[4]. The story told that Icarus could fly by wings created by his father, Daedalus, pasting bird feathers together with wax. It inspired many visual artists, expressing the wonder of how humans can fly in the paintings such as the Icarus by Peter Paul Rubens3. It is indeed scientifically a lie to the truth that humans are unable to fly, but at the same time it directs human imagination. The ‘lie’ language evokes the emotion of the knower to think that they can evolve a lie to truth. Emotion is often seen as an obstacle on finding the truth as it causes bias. In spite of that, it provides us with the energy to engage in intellectual activities such as research. It is further developed with belief and faith. Subsequently it fostered the belief and faith of some people that humans would be able to fly.
The diversion of imagination from fact is proven by the presence of many attempts on the past to make people fly. They ignited people to start questioning what they perceived previously as truth - ‘humans cannot fly’. Well ahead, the truth evolved when the Wright brothers[5] invented the first aircraft. Here truth in science has been catalyzed to develop by visual art. In the future, the puzzle of the truth on flying science might be further evolved. Who might guess that in the future people can fly with a pair of flying shoes?
Conversely, the other approach is visual art expresses the truth through the expression of language and emotion. As a Chinese proverb said, “One picture is worth ten thousand words”[6], visual art can convey truth deeper than any other form of presentation. People might be more familiar with this approach as visual art could convey lavish weight of emotion through its rich language interpretation. A great number of artist use media of visual art that is shielded by the imagination and fiction to convey truth.
Religion, another Area of Knowledge, on the past has largely utilised art to convey truth on the bible through imagination and fiction. During Renaissance era, many Italian citizens prayed in the cathedral but were unable to read[7]. Hence, painting and sculptures of the Bible’s story were created to let those, who are unable to read, understand the truth. In this era, visual art provide a sense of deep adjustment in society without making the truth clear. Giving blur truth often drives people’s imagination and emotion. This form of lie is effective as it affects the language to convey truth with its ideal image of what they are supposed to be. Emotion, which is physical in nature, adds up the color of truth as it influences our perception of what is truth.
Truth in history has also been conveyed through visual lies. The life of the ancient man is known through wall painting at the Lascaux Cave[8]. Paintings, which are drawn fictionally, interestingly, pave way for the understanding of the unique life of the cave man. Further, some of Picasso’s paintings convey the truth in history physically and emotionally. “Massacre in Korea” in 1951 represents the injustice in Korean War and “Guernica”[9] in 1945 as a response to Hitler’s death camp. Those Picasso’s pieces are drawn with analytical cubism9 style, an attempt to communicate the truth of those events physically and emotionally through the basic shape of life.
Nevertheless visual art as a lie, often truly misleads and does not bring us to the truth. Historically, the statue of Moses by Michelangelo depicts Moses with horns, an unnatural human being. Michelangelo followed of the biblical mistranslation of “ray of light” became “horns” in Italian in Exodus 34:29-35[10]. The statue creation has created quite confusion in history as many tried to track back and pursued whether human has horn before[11]. People try to pursue truth from these lies, but often visual art does only comprehend the lie without approaching any truth.
My hobby in fashion art photography also leads me toward the understanding of the visual art complication. A good photo is a blend of angle, intensity of light captured, and colors. Different lenses will result in different distortion of images. I often took photos of my friend from below as it makes them ‘look’ taller. The lie created here does not lead to the truth, but towards further lie of height. An ugly woman can be transformed to a charming lady though fashion photography.
Nonetheless after saying all ways on how visual art lead to further lies, there are still partial truth inside of all the visual art conveyed. The woman in the fashion image is the truth, distinctly partial truth. Although it is impossible for human to reach absolute truth, a partial truth can bring us nearer to the truth. If a visual art entirely does not contain a truth, it might be an anomaly of art as it is a black swan in the sea of white swans.
Through this essay as truth is conveyed through the lie on art, it triggers a big question of whose truth is being conveyed, the reader or the artists. There is a confusion of the possession of truth. However, although the readers’ truth is different from the artists’ truth, they might appear as truth. It is possible that visual art is created without ‘truth conveying or imagination process, just purely procedural and money-making purposes but readers still obtain truth. Truth is developing and what I realize, truth is like seeing a statue where different perspective gives different perception of truth. One example is my first impression seeing Angels & Demonsmovie poster[12] promotion picture of half angel and half demon figure. From the left I perceive an angel, from right a devil, the back is an angel, and in front is a hybrid.
Understanding the uniqueness of visual art, any other form of art might have the same character of conveying truth through lies through different Areas of Knowledge. In short, it is true that art is a lie that bring us nearer to the truth. Art might be created with a purpose or no purpose, but surely truth can be conveyed or molded into existence. However absolute truth will never be conveyed directly as no human has perfect ways of knowing.
[1]Sheridan, Kim. “Obama and Irony.” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/art-media-and-the-mind/200807/obama-and-irony (April 22, 2010)
[3] Rubens, Peter Paul. “The Fall of Icarus.” http://paintingdb.com/view.pl?artist=11&image_id=1676&offset=121 (October 29, 2009)
[4] Kline, Anthony S. “Methamorphoses (Kline) 8, The Ovid Collection.” http://www.virginia.edu/latin/ovid/trans/Metamorph8.htm (February 20, 2010)
[5] Bellis, Mary. “Inventors.” http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bl_wright_brothers.html (October 28, 2009)
[6] Martin, Gary. “ One picture is worth ten thousand words.” http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words.html, (January 12, 2010)
[7] Hertwitz, D. Aesthetics- Key Concepts in Philososphy. London: Continuum International Publishin Group, 2008.
[8] Bandarin, F. “Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley.” http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/85 (October 27, 2009)
[9] Goetz, R. “The Passion of Picasso.” http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1734 (October 28, 2009)
[10] Urton, Robin. “The Tomb of Pope Julius.” http://www.eyeconart.net/history/Renaissance/michelangelo.htm (April 21, 2010)
[11] Hart, Eloise. “Moses and Those ‘Horns’.” http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sunrise/23-73-4/mi-elo.htm (April 21, 2010)
[12] “Angels & Demons Poster.”IMP awards. http://www.impawards.com/2009/angels_and_demons_ver3.html (January 12, 2010)

(The beauty of art! this flower is Sakuraaa flowerr (cherry blossom) if you don’t know! and guess what, there are loads of them blooming in Manchester now! fancy that! I’m not in Japan thoo, but I feel like I’m there! hahaha)
Hope you guys enjoy it!
Auf wiedersehen :)