► Miniature Red Brick Art Creation
Miniature Red Brick Lego:
With the remaining brick kilns starting to contemplate innovation, miniature bricks are created as artistic pieces. After much trial and error, miniature bricks measuring 1.5 cm in length, 0.6 cm in width, and 0.5 cm in height are finally fired. These miniature bricks are much smaller compared to regular bricks, which are typically around 20 cm in length, 9 cm in width, and 5 cm in height.
Today, miniature bricks are fired using "electric furnaces" instead of traditional brick kilns. Before crafting small red brick artworks, soil is first excavated and mixed evenly using machines to create clay bricks. These molded clay bricks are then fired in kilns at temperatures reaching a thousand degrees Celsius. After cooling, the miniature red bricks are glued together using white glue and artistic creation begins using brushes. Following the predetermined patterns, the bricks are stacked together like building blocks to form various artworks, resembling the concept of stacking blocks in Lego.
2.Introduction to Traditional Courtyard Houses:
Houses constructed with bricks and tiles represent the most common residential form among early Han Chinese. People would also expand their homes into different layouts due to changes in family size or improved economic conditions. Common expansion styles include "Yi Tiao Long" (elongated single-story house), "Dan Shen Shou" (single-side extension), and "San He Yuan" (three-section compound courtyard).
"Yi Tiao Long" (elongated single-story house): In earlier times, when households had fewer occupants, they would construct only the main building (known as "Zheng Shen") of the house.
"Dan Shen Shou" (single-side extension): As the number of family members gradually increased, a single-side extension called "Dan Bian Hu Long" would be added to the main building ("Zheng Shen") to accommodate the growing population.
"San He Yuan" : As the number of family members continues to increase, two side extensions called "Liang Bian Hu Long" would be added to the main building ("Zheng Shen") to accommodate the growing population.
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Reading the Courtyard House Construction Manual
Divide the tasks to complete the construction of the courtyard house.
3.Points to Note for Creation:
- Do not apply too much white glue, as it may ooze out and look unsightly once dried.
- Follow the instructions for building temples or courtyard houses precisely, as deviating from them may result in unstable house structures.
- Ensure that none of the red bricks are lost, as the quantity of red bricks is precisely calculated; without them, the construction of the building cannot be completed.
4.Reflections on the Production Process:
Through this creative endeavor, I came to realize the hardships endured by workers in the past. Their selfless dedication and hard work were solely aimed at helping others have a sturdy house. While "building" the house, we used white glue instead of cement, and we had to pay attention to the stability of the structure, which was also crucial. Another challenging aspect was working on the roof. Although the main body of the red bricks seemed rectangular, their surfaces were uneven, and their sizes varied. Therefore, not only did we have to adjust the positions of the red bricks carefully, but we also had to ensure they didn't overlap, deepening our admiration for the patience exhibited by past workers in constructing houses.
Presentation of Miniature Red Brick Art
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► I. Linkou Red Brick Art:Linkou Red Brick Art:
"Red Soil Paradise" is a public art project participated by the community residents, showcasing the local history of Linkou. It echoes the red soil terrain of Linkou, which is predominantly acidic and infertile, a land where pioneers initially cultivated tea due to its suitability. Later, the red soil proved suitable for producing red bricks, leading to the development of Linkou's brick kiln industry.
This project specifically utilizes red bricks and employs contour line concepts to depict the red soil plateau of Linkou, brick kilns, and tea gardens. The walls made of red bricks represent both the excavated soil profile and symbolize the homes established on this red soil. The "Red Fortress" serves as a space for activities and also serves as educational material for leisure. The use of free-form curves to form contour levels and the arc-shaped gradient walls demonstrate advanced bricklaying techniques, allowing viewers to rediscover red bricks.
Since the completion of this large-scale artistic creation, many elderly people can be seen strolling with their grandchildren in the "Red Soil Paradise," narrating historical trajectories to future generations, thus passing down the memories of Linkou.
Finally, on the living corridor walls of the Linkou public housing, artist Zhou Xuehan has presented his work "RE: Linkou." This artwork is based on the artist's field investigation of the former brick kilns, military bases, ancient houses, and tea gardens in Linkou. He collected red soil and designed square mosaic brick decorations unique to Linkou. Various recyclable materials collected on-site in Linkou public housing were then used to create artistic brick decorations, which are now displayed within the public housing complex.
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► II. On-campus Promotion
Monopoly Conceptualization: Our club has developed three board games focusing on brick kiln culture. Through the gaming process, we aim to provide students with knowledge related to Linkou's brick kilns. To promote these board games, we are converting tangible brick kiln assets into intangible cultural knowledge through static exhibitions organized by the club.
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Picture Book:
Have you ever noticed the two chimneys on Jialin Road during your daily commute near the Kang Chiao International School Linkou Campus? Do you know when they quietly stood there? Linkou, rich in sticky red soil, once had many brick kilns. These kilns used coal as fuel to fire bricks at high temperatures, forming the "red brick economy" that sustained several generations locally. Even though brick kiln culture has become history, many interesting stories have been preserved. Teacher Simon shared with us the creative process and storyline of the picture book "The Chimneys That Don't Smoke," encouraging us that despite our young age, we can still lead others to explore the wonderful history and culture of Linkou in our own way.
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Sharing about the Brick Kiln Culture in Linkou
► III.To the Brick Kilns:
黃學心
I hope we can preserve the brick kilns because they can help more people understand what happened in the past and prevent the history of red bricks from being forgotten! Firstly, red brick buildings, as a historical and cultural heritage, carry the memory of society and the essence of culture. By preserving red brick buildings, we can not only retain the beauty of the past but also provide valuable cultural resources for future generations.
梁恆
I think the ideas of cultural workers to protect the brick kiln culture are very influential, but these are actually things that adults can do better. Therefore, I believe that we can organize a small exhibition about brick kilns at school so that students can also learn more about this industry and culture.
杜昀叡
I think these disappearing cultures are meaningful, and many people are striving to preserve memories of the past. So, we should learn more about these cultures and help promote them to make more people aware of the importance of these industries.
汪宗辰
The preservation of red brick culture is an ongoing process. With the passage of time and changes in society, red brick buildings may gradually age and deteriorate due to various factors. Therefore, we need to constantly monitor and repair them to ensure that red brick buildings are effectively protected and managed.
張宇頡
I suggest turning the bricks produced by the brick kilns into art class content, making brick houses, and experiencing the feeling of workers building houses. Or in the future, the history of brick kilns can be written into social textbooks so that students can understand the history behind brick kilns.
吳庭葳
I think we can use small building blocks to let everyone build their own red brick house at home, and we can also organize an exhibition at school to let students know the importance of preserving brick kilns. The preservation of brick culture involves various technical and knowledge aspects, requiring the participation and support of professionals and the public. Through collective efforts, we can better preserve and pass on the red brick culture.
張羽安
Regarding the promotion of red brick culture, I am quite puzzled. Can we introduce red brick culture through some attractive themes or stories? Perhaps we can obtain more information and even inspiration from the efforts of our predecessors to create a story, allowing younger students to understand the prosperity of red bricks in the past and the crisis they are facing now.
張涵晴
After listening to Simon's lecture, I am a bit confused. What if the majority of local residents disagree, and regardless of how much effort cultural organizations put in to persuade them, there are still more people willing to demolish and rebuild than those willing to preserve? Does that mean we have to demolish the brick kilns? Therefore, achieving community consensus is not an easy task!
張語庭
After listening to Mr. Simon's explanation, I realized that the brick industry changes with the times. Initially, most bricks were made manually, but with the development of machines, employees only need to ensure that the machines are not broken. I hope that this industry can gradually gain more attention from everyone!
楊晴晴
After listening to Simon's explanation, I realized that the brick industry will change with the times. At first, most red bricks were made by hand, but with the development of machines, employees only need to ensure that the machines are not broken. I hope that the brick industry can gradually gain more attention from everyone!
