One of the projects I completed at JMKAC (John Michael Kohler Art Center) was called Diary Cup Project. While I was working in their pottery factory, I made a mold of a cup. The cup signifies our ordinal day, same shape, same material, and same blankness just like our days. But I think what makes each cup/day special is not what it's made of, how we see it and celebrate it. Everyday, I painted one cup at the end of the day (sometimes the next day) with everything that happened on that day to commemorate the residency. Each cup became special with events, places, conversations, weather, foods, work, projects, difficulties, joy, and people. Every moment in this residency was so extraordinary and I wanted to share this great experience with everyone. It is my hope that people can see how the residency is from one artist's point of view. This whole set that consists 74 cups to commemorate my residency from the first to the last day is now in JMKAC's permanent collection. The photo doesn't have them all, because the shooting happened before the end of residency (and of course the shooting itself is depicted on one cup of that day). I hope you will have a chance to see the whole set, to really see my experience at the residency.

Photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center

Each cup shows the events and everything I experienced on that day. This cups is my second day at the residency, June 16th, 2014. My first deep fried cheese curd, my first wurst sandwich, and my first factory tour. Each cup has the date on the bottom.

Photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center

This cup was a day 2/3 in my residency. Staffs and residents went to a local bar and we enjoyed the beer sample. While we were talking about local events, I learned about the wurst eating contest and their fascinating rewards. The winner will receive a year supply of wursts! I really wanted to enter the contest, but couldn't make it to the deadline. This was also a weekend day, so the magical slip pouring tube was not on. To fill up the giant mold I was working on, I had to manually pour clay slip into the mold, which requires about 17 buckets. Then the casting failed because my bucketing was taking way too long and creating the uneven thickness. Ahhh, it was a really good upper-arm exercise.

Photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center

The other project I was working on during the residency was called Pillar Project. Initially it was supposed to be a set of exchangeable units that depict similar myth and folktales from different cultures, as a part of my "Genuine Fake China" series. The challenge was that I didn't have any experience in slip casting technique and not capable of creating sufficient structures. It took me two months to make the originals and casting molds. The pillars were supposed to be taller as well, but for the safety reason, the ones in the photos were the maximum height. This was a great learning experience and I am so grateful that JMKAC gave me this wonderful opportunity. The coordinator and the studio technician were patience and kind, this couldn't happen without their guidance and support. The finished pillars depicts harpies and a mermaid, which show up in both Western and Eastern myths, though tier roles are completely reversed.

Photo courtesy: John Michael Kohler Arts Center

My residency was from June 15th to August 30th, 2014. That was the best season in Wisconsin, the sky was blue, air was dry, so many fun events in every weekend. The factory was hot and humid for the molds, but I would rather like working in the heat than cold. It was an amazing experience and I learned so much, I would recommend everyone. The people at Kohler were very generous, supportive and open-minded as well, you will have a great time. If there is anyone interested in applying for the residency or just learning more about the program, I can help you out. I would love to go back for the second time, when I come up with great ideas!

Photo courtesy: John Michael Kohler Arts Center