fine arts @ zettl.fr

painting, graphic, calligraphy, art theory

[collectat]

Nature’s Calligraphy: The Art of Seeing We see how we think. What occupies our mind directly shapes our vision. In this post, I share a series of photos of ducks and swans that document my artistic shift from visual abundance toward minimalism. By observing waterfowl in their natural environment, you can trace what was driving me at the exact moment I took the picture—whether it was calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, or strict abstraction. Even as my own work evolves, nature remains the ultimate teacher for form and composition....

Nature's Calligraphy: The Art of Seeing

[collectat]

Visual Response to “The Last Rag” by Soundeagle Can you translate the "ragged time" of a contemporary piano piece into a visual language? Following a casual comment on a previous article, I took on the challenge of graphically interpreting soundeagle’s composition. Moving away from traditional calligraphy, I chose to take the word "rag" literally—creating an aesthetic of use where soft, faded layers of yin collide with the sharp, syncopated yang of structured fragments. Here is a look at the concept, the technique, and the deliberate choices behind this artistic dialogue....

Visual Response to "The Last Rag" by Soundeagle

[collectat]

Lang Lang in Vienna and Other Music Anecdotes

Music as the Ultimate Currency of Cultural Exchange Lang Lang’s recent performance in Vienna is the perfect catalyst for a few thoughts and old music anecdotes I want to share today. Viewing music as the primary currency of cultural exchange is an idea that struck me decades ago. When we trade goods internationally, we rely on banknotes and coins. In the cultural realm, music has always been…

Lang Lang in Vienna and Other Music Anecdotes

[collectat]

Light as State of Being

From Studio Light to Cosmic Ur-Light Light as State of Being – this title stands for an article about the use of light in painting and, in particular, for my own special integration of cosmic light or frozen light into my images. Actually, I had planned a different article for today: one in which I wanted to announce a break from writing about my art. That one will appear later. Why a break?…

Light as State of Being

[collectat]

Your opinion please!

Your opinion please!

[collectat]

Afterthoughts on the Yunnan Journey

Yunnan Spring Greetings (X) Afterthoughts on the Yunnan Journey – Preliminary Remarks I actually intended to write two or three more articles about my recent trip to China. I started, then stopped again. (Other articles on this can be accessed via this link: TAG: Yunnan). Essentially, I hold back because I am aware that China is usually perceived very distortedly in the West, and I do not want…

Afterthoughts on the Yunnan Journey

[collectat]

When the World Shatters

When the World Shatters is an article, featuring recent works—a mix of finished paintings, unfinished pieces, and studies— which explores my observations on the current global situation. Some of these works were intended for my Series on War but fit perfectly within this context. When the World Shatters sounds like a dramatic title. Most likely, we all experience the current events on the world…

When the World Shatters

[collectat]

I usually don’t spend much time digging through dusty boxes at the local flea market. But last Sunday, a bizarre album cover caught my eye....

The $20,000 Flea Market Find

[collectat]

An article about the significance of Dot and Emptiness in Chinese artistic traditions. This theme reveals the essence of Chinese painting after my lecture from January 9, 2026

View On WordPress

[collectat]

Buddhas Light and Other Joy

Yunnan Spring Greetings [IX] Buddha’s light comes later. First, there is a difficult path ahead. I’ll skip most of the struggle for now. I originally planned to go into detail, but I’d rather let the photos do the talking. Today is all about the visuals, and for good reason. Just a few pics from the road before. Even the journey there makes your heart beat faster. For many kilometers, the road…

Buddhas Light and Other Joy

[collectat]

Customs, Traditions, and Religion

Yunnan Spring Greetings (VIII): ​As previous posts suggest, this journey has been heavily influenced by the Dao. When you immerse yourself in this mindset, you enter a state of “flow” where unexpected events unfold naturally. A more prosaic mind might simply call them coincidences. Regardless of the label, today I want to share four of these chance encounters. ​A Modern Wedding Ritual While…

Customs, Traditions, and Religion

[collectat]

South of the clouds

Yunnan Spring Greetings (VII) Evening Mood and Morning Light: A Mountain near Pu’er Once again, we hit the mark with our hotel choice in Pu’er (普洱). It is spacious, the rooms are stylish and blend perfectly with the environment, and—best of all—there are two large pools. I had them almost to myself, sharing the heated one with just a few kids. ​On our very first evening, we drove up a nearby…

South of the clouds

[collectat]

Lushi, Lincang, Nakeli

Yunnan Spring Greetings (VI): From Fengqing, we took a taxi to Lushi (鲁史), another vital stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Although only 80 km away, the drive took over four hours. We wound our way down from 2,000 meters altitude through sometimes dangerous switchbacks, only to climb back up again multiple times. The reward for this white-knuckle drive was breathtaking scenery and the…

Lushi, Lincang, Nakeli

[collectat]

Pure Dao - Shi Dong Si 石洞寺

Yunnan Spring greetings (V) Shi Dong Si: A Glimpse into the Shadow and Light of the Dao I recently visited Shi Dong Si (石洞寺Stone Cave Temple), a place that feels almost suspended in time. It’s not just the architecture—the curved eaves and the weathered stone bridge—but the atmosphere. There is a distinct sense of “Pure Dao” here, a quiet strong power that comes from the balance of opposites.…

Pure Dao - Shi Dong Si 石洞寺

[collectat]

Every Day an Adventure, Every Day a Joy

Yunnan Spring Greetings (IV) “Every day an adventure, every day a joy.” It might sound a bit cliché, but here, one experience really does chase the next. We actually cancelled our planned trip to Mangshi (芒市) because Heshun and its surroundings simply have too much to offer. A couple we are friends with drove all the way from Beijing, accompanied by another couple, just to see us. After a proper…

Every Day an Adventure, Every Day a Joy

[collectat]

Density, Depth, Tradition, and Authenticity.

Yunnan Spring greetings (3) Density, Depth, Tradition, and Authenticity. Ever since my very first experiences in China back in 1978, these four concepts have been inextricably linked with my understanding of the country and its culture. So let’s first turn our gaze to a place that embodies all these qualities in a truly venerable way: Shibaoshan. The Art Historical Significance of…

Density, Depth, Tradition, and Authenticity.

[collectat]

Just Shaxi and Fengyu. Yunnan Spring Greetings (II)

Journey to Shaxi (沙溪) ​On the way from Dali to Shaxi, we passed through Fengyu (凤羽). It’s a quiet, traditional town, famous for its intricate stone carvings and inkstones. A good place to see the rural side of Yunnan before entering the Shaxi valley. Authentic Flavors We had lunch there and the restaurant was simple yet charming. Pieces of meat were hanging from a tree outside, air-drying in…

Just Shaxi and Fengyu. Yunnan Spring Greetings (II)