On the afternoon of September 26th, Juan Ripolles, a famous modern artist from Spain, gave a special lecture on “Rainbow: Juan Ripolles’s world”, attracting more than 200 teachers and students.Zeng Fanren, The tenured professor of Shandong University, presided at the lecture.Professor Zhang Qinyuan from Foreign Language School attended lecture as a translator.
At the beginning of the lecture, Zeng Fanren welcome the arrival of Juan and admired his artistic vitality even though his venerable age of 81.
Juan Ripolles gave a exquisite outlined speech mainly focusing on artistic creation.From his opinion, the artistic creation was just a process from strange to familiar, from ignorance to cognition, where something useful was explored. He divided the world into two parts: one was those whose responsibility is to explore the unknown world like the locomotive offering power; the other was those who like the carriages carrying knowledge to get familiar with the existing world. Artistic creation belongs to the former. Then, he emphasized three key points people should pay special attention to when creating arts. The first is keeping innocence. He argued that the principle of art was being a child who was not afraid of risks but to sense and explore the outside. Only in this way will the creation has fundamental meaning.The second is freedom. Juan told that he never paid attention to anything except the painting. Although the political and economic factors could affect creation, they provide a kind of external support. The reason why he came to China was also to pursue a free lifestyle and was deeply impressed in China. The third is interest. Juan pointed that artistic creation is a kind of inside impulse that cannot be disturbed by external environment. It is the pursuit of heart and also the orientation of the future. In addition, Juan hoped Chinese culture can be more confident and international. He encouraged the young in China be brave to create art and their future.
Juan Ripolles also communicated with the teachers and students on the inheritance and innovation of traditional art, the previous and post Three Giants in the 20th century painting history of Spain and his own life stores.Mrs Huang Lanxi, the vice chairman of Chinese International Culture Promotion Association, showed and explained some engravings, oil paintings and sculptures of Juan. Corresponding to personality of freedom, his works were often made of unique materials such as self-made paper, mineral powder and colored glasses, etc. All the figures in his works are facing audience directly and the gorgeous colors always deliver a hope of love and peace.
At last, professor Zeng Fanren concluded lecture.He treated creation, interests and liberty as the key to artistic creation and aesthetic.Mr. Juan drew a painting and donated it to Literature and Journalism School. He also signed names as souvenirs to the enthusiastic students.