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Showing posts from March, 2026

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Misaki Nakayama

My favorite painting is “ Astronaut “ because it doesn’t use many colors and the atmosphere of it is cool.  It was amazaimg that the number of books and ephemera is large and such works at that time are real. It was wonderful that they protect old works. The pictures on the gallary are intresting. It is intresting that I think about what the paintings mean because they are abstract, so it is fresh experience. I would like to research a person who picture Astronaut because I want to ask the question about the work

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Airi Inoue

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  My favorite painting in the Ogee & Manaia is Untitled drawing (undulating body in the abyss).  he shapes looked like characters from Japanese exhibition, and at the same time, they also resembled shodo  (Japanese calligraphy). My classmates also said that it looked like Japanese characters, which made me feel an even stronger connection to the artwork. Also, I found the variations in the black tones especially beautiful. I think this is what I like most about abstract paintings. Even though the artist may not intend a specific meaning, viewers can interpret the shapes and forms in their own way.  At first, I questioned why the ground floor exhibition featured what appeared to be simple advertisements. Nevertheless, I found it particularly intriguing that items such as pamphlets can offer meaningful insights into the trends and cultural context of the time.

A Visit to the Hocken Collections --Hiroka Nakatsue

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 Today, I saw a very interesting painting. It is an abstract art with white, black, and gray colors. It looks like a big maze. When I look at this painting, I see many shapes. Some look like machine parts, and others look like living things. Everything is connected. I can feel a "rhythm" and "energy" from it. I think this painting represents "connections in our world." Our lives are connected by many things, like the internet, work, and people. These complex lines show how we are all linked together. I also learned about "balance." There are many different shapes, but they work together perfectly. It shows me that finding balance is important, even in a busy and chaotic life.

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Shuta Itami

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  I liked "South City".  It uses a style similar to graffiti art, and I found it interesting how those elements were transformed into a portable painting. When I looked at the collection of books, archives, and ephemera, I realised that there are far more materials preserved around the world than I had imagined. At the same time, I felt that even though such a vast amount of material exists, it is not easy to use it effectively or preserve it well for future generations. As a way of making good use of these materials, I think it would be interesting to carry out research that focuses on the life of a single, relatively unknown person from the past,  such as an ordinary merchant, and try to reconstruct their life from the available sources.

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Ryosuke

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  I like the picture called 'The Hub' the most. The reason why I like the picture most is that the house in the middle, just a little below the center, looks like a face and is so cute. When I look  the collection of books, archives and ephemera on the ground floor,  I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of history preserved there and the efforts made to preserve it. Sometimes there are some Japanese books, so it was interesting. If I could research a person, place or incident in the past, I want to research the history of famous pictures or paintings. This is because m any old paintings only began to be appreciated after some time had passed, so I want to know how they were received when they were first painted and what sparked their rise in popularity.

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Maria

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    During my visit to the Hocken Collection,  I thought these paintings are really broadens my perspective on art.  Among the artworks, my favorite work was Razzle Dazzle. It is because, I was particularly drawn to its bold use of colors and dynamic composition. The contrast and movement in the painting made me feel a sense of energy and imagination. To me, it represents the coexistence of different identities and perspectives, which I found both powerful and meaningful. I like this artwork because it leaves room for interpretation and allows the viewer to feel something unique.  In addition to the exhibition, I also explored the collections on the first floor, including books, archives, and printed materials. I was impressed by how carefully these historical resources have been preserved. The atmosphere felt calm and intellectual, and it gave me a sense of connection to the past. It was interesting to see how much information is available for research and how ...

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Yuna

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  Through visiting the gallery, I felt it was quite challenging to understand the meaning of the arts. What I was impressed with the most was named smoko, because this is the only one art that I could find some meaning in it. For me, this art gave me an impression of a vacuum. It seems to be sucking up all kinds of stuff around the world. I think this matches the name of the art. It’s vacuuming as if it’s smoking.   On the tour of collection, I’m surprised that there are so many collections, such as maps, newspaper, books, and magazines regarding New Zealand. They are all well organized so that easy to find. I was especially impressed that there was a blueprint of university of Otago. Although it was established in 1860s, the blueprint was kept there, which is amazing. Not only the university but also some house’s blueprints were there.   If I happen to have a chance to research something, I would like to know about architecture in Dunedin. There are so many histo...

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- ZOU Qingyang

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The most impressive piece of work in the   the Ogee & Manaia e xhibition is Navigator drawn in 2025. It w as its  pleasant color scheme that immediately caught my attention at the first glance. I don't have a deep understanding of the abstract art school, but this piece of work seems to depict someone holding a probe and wandering through a bizarre and fantastical space, which is imaginative.  As for collections on the first floor, w hat interested me most were those microfilms. Auctually I've heard about it from a certain listening test, but it was the first time for me to have a closer look at real objects.  Just as I had imagined, the projection was somewhat blurry, but it is without any doubt that microfilm still plays a significant role in preserving fragile or precious documents.  In addition, during my visit to the archive, I was astonished to discover that they had included the file of a prisoner among a group of scientists, politicians a...

'A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Sono Tomoka.

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I chose “Razzle Dazzle” as my favorite artwork from the exhibition at the Hocken Collections. The reason I chose this piece is that I couldn’t take my eyes off it from the moment I entered the exhibition space. At first glance, the artwork appears to be symmetrical. However, when you look at it more carefully, you will notice that it is not perfectly balanced. This subtle imbalance creates a sense of movement and tension. I didn’t know what “Razzle Dazzle” meant at first, so I looked it up. Through that, I was able to understand not only the meaning of the word, but also, what the artist was trying to express. When it comes to artworks such as novels or paintings, which ones tend to move you more—those created by AI or those created by humans? I think most of you would choose the latter. In my opinion, humans tend to be more deeply moved by things that are imperfect rather than those that are too perfect. Compared to perfect works, imperfect ones allow us to feel the artist’s emoti...

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Hinako

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 I visited the Hocken Collections and really enjoyed the exhibition of Reece King’s paintings, Ogee & Manaia. My favourite work was “Untitled drawing (strange fruits)”. I like this painting because it has no clear title, so it made me think more. At first, I thought the shapes were flowers, but later I realized they looked like fruits. I found it interesting that the artist expressed fruits without using color. It felt unique and made me imagine different meanings. During the tour of the collections on the ground floor, I saw many kinds of books, archives, and ephemera. It was very interesting to see such a wide range of materials. I was especially surprised that there were some items related to Japan. The most interesting part for me was the materials about city development plans. They helped me understand how the town has changed over time. If I could research something from the past, I would like to study the history of city development. I want to know how people planned cit...

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Mayu Saito

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 I chose “Fossil.” Because the image is black and white, I felt a sense of the fossil’s old age. I found it interesting, thinking that it expresses various kinds of creatures and objects from the past. I thought it was interesting to see books, archives, and collections—including items that would normally be thrown away—preserved here. I was most impressed by the preserved designs for the University of Otago’s Clocktower Building. Since I love art, I’d like to research historical paintings, photographs, and posters.

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Nozomi Kikuchi

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  I liked   South City   the most at   Reece King ’s   The Ogee & Mania Exhibition . This picture depicts various objects with different shapes and lines on an overall gray base. I felt that the design looked like street art, which I could associate with the word “City” in the title.  During the tour on the first floor, I learned that all kinds of paper materials related to   New Zealand —such as books, magazines, and newspapers—are preserved there. What left the strongest impression on me was the collection of architectural drawings. I think it's unusual that a library stores such plans, and I became interested in looking more closely at the designs of famous buildings in   Dunedin , as well as Western-style architecture that cannot be seen in   Japan , in order to understand the differences in design.

A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Saho

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  My favorite one is "Razzle dazzle" because I thought it looked like a face card(Jack, Queen, or King)  a t first glance. Also, just because I love blue!  I'm terrible at appreciating art , so the reason why I chose it is very shallow.    Upon researching,I found that " Razzle dazzle" is adjective meaning eye-catching or luxurious.  As for  introduction of collection, it was refreshing to visit a collection of old documents for the first time. Original  design plan of Otago museum and clock tower at Uni were interesting.  In response to this question "If you could research a person, place or incident in the past, what would it be and why? ", I think it only  exists in people's historical records and oral tradition. 

A Visit to the Hocken Collections

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Write a post on your visit to the Hocken Collections. Regarding the exhibition of Reece King's paintings, the Ogee & Manaia, share a photo of your favourite painting and say what it means to you & why you like it. Then regarding your tour of the collection of books, archives and ephemera on the ground floor, what was your impression? What did you find most interesting about this experience? If you could research a person, place or incident in the past, what would it be and why? Title your post 'A Visit to the Hocken Collections -- Your Name.'

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Kazuki

  Actually, it was quite hard for me to understand the lecture; I couldn’t fully follow it. This was mainly because my listening skills and vocabulary are not sufficient, and I am not very familiar with the topic. I face similar difficulties with my speaking skills. I can communicate basic messages, such as what I want or what I did, but I still find it difficult to talk about complex topics or express what I truly want to say. In the future, I am thinking of studying abroad, so I need to improve my English and reach an academic level of proficiency. If I study at a foreign university, I will have to read, listen, and write in English. Therefore, I think this lecture will be a good opportunity for my future.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- ZOU Qingyang

This Monday I listened to a meaningful lecture given by Julie Bakker called Sex differences in brain and behavior: Insights from mice and humans. Based on her studies in mice and humans, Bakker argues that sex differences arise from interactions between hormones, genes, and developmental processes, rather than from social influences alone. These biological factors help organize the brain in ways that influence behaviour later in life.  This was the first time I attended a lecture in New Zealand. The ceremony before the lecture made me feel fresh and interesting; Also, Bakker's speach was quite understandable with a clear logic. Although there were some professional terms, it wasn's that challenging to   keep up with her thanks to her excellent slides and some vocabularies I had memorized before.  Bakker's lecture demonstrates that scientists can have a profound impact on society. By studying how biological processes influence brain development and behaviour, research...

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Shuta Itami

  In the lecture, Dr Julie Bakker explained the causes of sex differences in the brain and behaviour. Although it was difficult for me to understand the academic vocabulary and the logical scientific explanations in English, I felt that I need to become able to understand this kind of content because my major is in the life sciences. I think that the influence scientists have on the world may seem small when we look at the results of a single person, but when many results are accumulated, they become part of a larger human work. The scientific understanding produced by such research can also help make people’s views on issues such as sex differences more concrete and stable.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Ryosuke Iida

Attending Dr. Julie Bakker’s lecture in New Zealand was an eye-opening cultural experience. The lecture uniquely opened with a traditional Māori song. It was so surprising for me. Scientifically, Using fMRI data, Dr. Julie Bakker demonstrated that brain responses vary even among biological females depending on their gender identity comfort, proving that gender is a complex mix of biology and lived experiences. Grasping the English technical jargon was challenging, though the presentation slides proved invaluable. I have a desire to become a researcher myself. I major computer science in University of Tokyo, so I want to become an engineer or something like that.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Yuna

Attending a formal science lecture in nz was a great experience for me. It was my first time taking a formal lecture abroad and even though I couldn’t understand anything without translation, I still found the atmosphere of the lecture and how it’s different from my university. Bekker’s lecture was about science, which I am not good at, and she also used many professional words. My English level was still poor, and I don’t have a good vocabulary in the science industry, so these components make me difficult to understand. On the other hand, she sometimes showed charts or pictures on her slides. That helped me understand her lecture a little bit. I roughly could get what she was saying. I believe that science has a great impact on the world. Science can change the world for both good and bad, and our life is related to science so much. It’s going to the key for the future. I’m not considering either scientist or researcher as a profession, because I am not good at science and I al...

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response--Maria Okada

 Dr. Julie Bakker argued that differences in men and women's behavior arise from the structural composition in the brain, as demonstrated by neuroscience experiments.  Experiencing Maori culture was a truly valuable experience. Even looking at the photos and graphs on the slides, it was difficult to understand the English.  I believe her research will bring a new perspective on the world.   I'm not considering for myselfI the profession of scientist or researcher one, because I'm in the humanities.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response — Hinako Oya

  In her lecture, Julie Bakker talked about the causes of sex differences in the brain and behaviour. She said that environment and life experiences also affect how people think and behave. Attending a formal scientific lecture in New Zealand was a good experience for me. However, I found it difficult to understand because many technical terms were used. The topic was very specialized, so it was hard to follow everything. On the other hand, the slides and diagrams helped me a lot. This lecture made me realize that scientists and researchers can have a big impact on the world. I am not considering becoming a scientist or researcher. I feel that discovering something nobody knows is very difficult, and it seems challenging for me. Still, it was a valuable learning experience.    

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Hiroka Nakatsue

  Today I went to a lecture about differences in the brain related to gender identity. The speaker talked about research using functional MRI (fMRI) to study how the brain works. One interesting point was that even among people who are biologically female, there may be differences in brain responses depending on whether they feel comfortable with being female or feel some discomfort about it. I thought this was very interesting. The lecture also mentioned that the results can be different between adults and children. This made me think that the way people experience gender is complex and may involve many different factors. After listening to this lecture, I felt that gender identity is not something simple and that everyone may experience it differently. I was impressed that researchers are trying to understand these differences through scientific studies of the brain.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Nozomi Kikuchi

   In this lecture, Dr Julie Bakker spoke about what her research has revealed regarding the origins of sex differences in the human brain and behavior. For example, she showed that these differences are influenced by hormones: masculine traits are produced by testosterone, while feminine traits are produced by estradiol.   Her lecture was very difficult to understand because she used many  technical and unfamiliar terms . I think that scientists’ research, such as hers,  helps clarify how the human body works and contributes to promoting people’s health. I am studying to become a scientist in the future, and since English is essential for writing papers and giving presentations, I would like to use this experience to become more familiar with scientific English.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Misaki Nakayama

Her argument is that sex differences cause when not people are born but they are srrounded with their environment.   It is hard to listen to the lectures. I think the lecture is passive and input because I just listen to what the speaker want to tell. I need excellent English skills, the knowledge about the lecture and enthusiastic for the area to attend it. There are many graphs on the slides. The slide is changed soon. There are the words I have ever seen, such as female, reproductive and behavior. Brain is mysterious in large parts of areas, so I expect that they can discov er the somthing new. I am not considering these professions for myself because    I don't try to find somethinf new and don't have knowledge although  I'm intrested in the solved problems.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Asumi Nakamura

  1. Summarise the argument about the causes of sex differences in brain and behaviour. Dr. Julie Bakker argues that sex differences in behavior and brain function are primarily driven by kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamus.  2. The experience of attending a formal scientific lecture in the New Zealand context. The lecture began with a Waiata (a Māori song), which was a fascinating cultural experience that is not typically seen in Japanese academic settings. It highlighted how deeply Māori culture is embraced within New Zealand’s scientific community. Furthermore, I noticed that students here seemed more focused on actively engaging with the content rather than just taking exhaustive notes for exams. This contrasts with the Japanese education system, where there is often a heavy emphasis on memorizing grammar and vocabulary to pass tests, rather than developing practical skills or pursuing personal interests. 3. Difficulties and assisting factors in understanding the conten...

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Mayu Saito

  Whether creatures show male or female behavior may not depend only on its biological sex. It may also be influenced by hormones and by development before birth. The lecture used diagrams and graphs, so it was easy to understand. However, some parts with many technical words were difficult for me to understand. I thought that scientists and researchers help people live healthily both physically and mentally. By sharing research results with the public, misunderstandings and discrimination may be reduced. I want to focus on the subjects I'm studying now, so I am not considering becoming a scientist or researcher.

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Sono Tomoka

Summary Functional brain activation patterns in children and adolescents with gender anxiety appear to align with their experienced gender in certain neural networks. Feedback, future research and my future plan The lecture might have been the most difficult experience for me to learn something new in English. I did not have enough background knowledge about the lecture content, but the vocabulary we learned in class helped me a lot to understand it. In my opinion, future researchers and scientists might conduct more studies on how hormones and genes in the prenatal environment influence the development of gender identity and the brain. Personally, I am not planning to become a scientist or researcher in the future. This is not only because I am not good at mathematics or science at all, but also because trying to search for answers to questions that may never be fully solved seems like a very challenging task to pursue as a lifelong career for me. However, I deeply respect and ap...

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response – Michiko Nakamura

In this lecture, I learned that hormones shape the brain, and the brain creates differences in behavior between males and females. I’m not very familiar with science, and this was the first scientific lecture I have ever attended. Many technical terms and her rapid English made it hard for me to understand. On the other hand, I was sometimes able to understand by referring to words that were repeated and the illustrations on the slides. I thought her research might give a new perspective to society and science. If something that was once thought to be just an assumption is scientifically proven, it can help eliminate prejudice. I’m not considering becoming a scientist or researcher because I think it would be hard for me to keep spending time facing something when I don’t know whether I will find the answer. However, I think there are things in life that we must continue to think about. Therefore, I want to face myself with the same curiosity and courage as researchers like them!

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response. Saho Ono

She explained sex differences between men and women and  gender identity  based on  neuroscience research and experiments .  She also referred to tendencies of  transgender peoples' brains and identities , and suggested that many aspects of this field are still not understood.    The lecture was quite difficult to understand because I couldn’t keep up with listening to technical and academic English. Moreover, because I’m not strong in science.    I believe scientists or researchers are significant job because all of their efforts create something new and they are meaningful to someone. In this case, research on the brains of transgender people can provide scientific findings about them. And such evidence may promote that more people understand about minorities who suffer from social positions.  But I don’t have enough interests and patience to focus on single academic study for a long time, so I’m not thinking of working in such job....

Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response

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Write a post in response to Julie Bakker's lecture, with the title 'Dr Julie Bakker's Lecture: My Response -- Your Name.'  Can you summarise her argument about the causes of sex differences in brain and behaviour? How did you find the experience of attending a formal scientific lecture in the New Zealand context? What made it difficult to understand Bakker's content and on the other hand what factors assisted you in understanding it? Taking Bakker's lecture into account, how would you judge the impact that scientists and other researchers can have on the world? Is the profession of scientist or researcher one that you are considering for yourself? If so, why & if not, why not?

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Shuta

I feel quiet, sad, and also gently comforted. Ruby's Jone's art shows ordinary human closeness, like holding someone or caring for others, and it made me realise how precious safety and kindness are. The exhibition helped me believe that art and literature have strong power to influence people. Simple images and short words can stay in our hearts longer than loud messages, and they can slowly change how we treat others. Seeing what Jones has achieved really inspired me. She uses her talent to protect people’s dignity and to spread empathy. I would like to leave a mark by being kind and thoughtful in my daily life. My legacy would be helping others feel safe, seen, and valued, even in small ways.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Saho

1 How does Ruby Jones's art make you feel?  It gives me a warm feeling because her arts is painted with pale color. Also, the illustrations reinforce the meaning of her words.  2 As a result of visiting the exhibition, how much potential do you believe art and literature have for influencing others & for changing the world for the good? After visiting the exhibition, I believe that art and literature have some potential to influence and help people in a positive way. This is because they can present difficult social issues and complex emotions in a simple and easy way. So, the message can reach more people.    3  When you think about what Jones has achieved, are you inspired? What mark would you like to leave on the world?  The reason why I was inspired is her work is meaningful because it is not just about drawing pictures. offering warmth and support to people who are hurt.  I am not familiar with creative fields such as writing or draw...

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Hiroka

  When I saw the picture of a woman hugging a woman in a hijab, I felt that we should live together kindly, even if we have different religions or backgrounds. The message, “This is your home and you should have been safe here,” made me feel sad but also hopeful. Everyone should feel safe in their home country. In New Zealand, people often smile and say “hi” to me. That makes me feel welcome. I think New Zealand is a safe country, and this exhibition reminded me that kindness is very important. I also learned that humans are just one part of the world. We are not more important than others. Ruby Jones’ illustrations are simple but powerful. They tell us that we are special and stronger than we think. My favorite words were, “All of this is for you.” I like it because it gives me confidence and power.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Qingyang

 Visiting Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy at the Otago Museum left me both moved and reflective. One of the most powerful works for me was Ruby Jones’s illustration responding to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, where dozens of Muslim people were killed. Her image of two figures embracing communicates something simple yet profound: care for others in the face of hatred. Without showing violence, she expresses solidarity, grief, and humanity. It made me feel a quiet sadness, but also a sense of warmth — a reminder that empathy can be stronger than fear. In contrast, many of her other works focus on care for the self: confidence, courage, allowing oneself to rest, and letting go of anxiety. These messages feel gentle but firm, like a friend speaking kindly. Together, her art balances outward compassion with inward resilience. That combination feels powerful. After visiting the exhibition, I believe even more strongly that art and literature have real potential to influence p...

A response to Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy -- Tomoka

  Ruby Jones's art made me feel the importance of cooperation with each other. People all over the world, regardless age, gender and nationality, must be given rights to talk and share their ideas. By listening to different voices, we can understand each other better. I believe that open communication can help create a more peaceful and fair society. During the exhibition, I realized that artworks can express feelings and social problems in ways that words only cannot. They make people reflect, empathize with others, and start conversations. Because of this power, art and literature can inspire society to become understanding and fair. Her work demonstrates that art which addresses difficult social issues can resonate with a wide audience. Her creative expression also shows how art can spark meaningful dialogue and encourage people to engage more deeply with the world around them. I would like to leave a mark by helping people feel understood and connected to each other. Even sm...

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy -- Michiko

Her art makes me feel peaceful and relief. I think visible information like art or literature has great influence on people because these ways of expression can easily be understood. Art are especially impact on people because we can watch and think about it even if you don't know the characters, even children. I felt her warm color palette and simple designs conveyed a wish for peace and the belief that everyone should be able to live freely. I also sensed her respect for people of all races, because she draws people of various fashions. I’d like to encourage and inspire those around me through my actions and words. I believe that cheering the people right in front of us is a step toward making the world a better place.

A response to Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy -- Misaki

Ruby Jones’s art makes me feel regretful because the sentence includes the nuance. It suggests that we should protect the safe place for everybody. The art and literature potentially have influenced people’s view because they do not tell us all meaning of works, which makes us think about that seriously. The works also are seen once by a lot of people, so it can spread through them. I’m inspired that Jones teaches many children the importance of peace, love and to be kind. Telling children who make future is significant for safe society. I’d like to leave as a person on the world who connect my country with other countries because I think it’s important to work hard with people from other countries. I’d like to tell children that helping each other and interacting makes better in the world.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Nozomi

   I felt that Ruby Jones’s art, with its simple and soft-touch illustrations and short messages, has the power to make people positive. I was also impressed by her clear messages against terrorism and by her strong desire for world peace and equality for all people.  Just as there was a video showing children engaging with Ruby Jones’s work, I believe that art and literature can change the awareness of a wide range of people—from children to adults—by using simple and accessible messages.  Although I am not majoring in art or literature, I hope to leave a legacy in this world by creating inventions from the field of science that enrich people’s lives.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Airi

Ruby Jones’s art makes me feel hopeful and more confident about the future. Her work shows that even though people have different religions, cultures, and backgrounds, we all live in the same world and should help and support each other. After visiting the exhibition, I think art and literature have strong power to influence people.  Art can make us feel empathy and encourage us to think about problems like war and discrimination. However, I also believe that art alone cannot completely change the world. Some people choose violence and conflict are very different from those who value art and peace. Because of this, a world without war or discrimination may be very difficult to achieve. When I think about what Ruby Jones has achieved, I feel inspired. She uses her art to share important messages and reach many people.  I am not sure what form it will take, but I would like my legacy to be one of kindness, empathy, and a sincere effort to make the world a little better than i...

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Hinako

  Ruby Jones’s art made me feel calm but also thoughtful. Her drawings are simple, with soft lines and gentle colors, but the emotions behind them are strong. It made me slow down and think more carefully about other people’s feelings. Even though the drawings look simple, they carry meaningful messages about empathy and understanding. After visiting the exhibition, I realized how powerful art and literature can be. They may not change the world immediately, but they can change the way people think. When I think about what Ruby Jones has achieved, I feel inspired. I hope I can leave a mark on the world by spreading fairness and kindness in my own way.  

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Ryosuke

Through watching Ruby Jones' work, I had a deep appreciation for the importance of mutual support, love, and peace. I have come to understand that art and literature can profoundly influence the world, capable of evoking a wide range of emotions in those who experience the work. Like Ruby Jones, I want to tell and leave behind a legacy that emphasizes the importance of kindness and peace in the world.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Ryota

  What strikes me most about Ruby Jones’s art is its tenderness. She translated social issues ― grief, injustice, political unrest ― into humanity. Rather than shouting, her illustrations hold our hands. Her art reminded me that empathy is not weak. After visiting the exhibition, I think that art and literature hold strong power to influence others and change the world for the better. Social movements are sustained not by policy but by imagination. Art helps us imagine a better world. Thinking about what Ruby Jones has achieved is deeply inspiring. Her journey makes me reconsider the scale at which change happens. We don’t have to change everything at once, we just have to move someone.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Yuna

When I saw Ruby Jones’ illustrations, I felt relieved, kindness, and a warmness in Jones’ pictures. Her illustrations are very simple and soft. She often uses light colors in her work. Those components make me think the way. I believe that art and literature have boundless potential. One art could be received in 100 different ways, and one poem could broaden people’s perspectives. They have the power to change people and the world for the good. Through her work, Jones has achieved to bring people together through art, and showed the importance of being kind. I was very much inspired by her work, and I would like to do such a beautiful thing as her. Expressing something in a picture and telling people in a visual way not verbal. 

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy -- Maria

    Ruby Jone’s art made me feel like we shouldn’t hurt someone not related to problems. It’s good to have a safe place.   I came to believe that art has the power to convey a message, transcending language and cultural differences for influencing others and for changing the world for the good.   She did great effort and achieved development as person & an artist but she lost her self-consciousness.   I would like to leave happiness and kindness as mark on the world.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Mayu

  A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' Mayu   Saito I felt a sense of safety and trust from Jones's art. In New Zealand, I found many people are accepting and kind to everyone, no matter their country, race, and religion. Visiting the exhibition, I felt the potential for people to accept others through art and literature. In Jones's art from adulthood, I thought she expressed connections with others, and I was deeply inspired by the importance of connecting deeply with people. I want to create places where people can connect and share kindness.

A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy' -- Asumi

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A Response to 'Soft Lines: Illustrating Empathy'  - by Asumi Nakamura How does Ruby Jones's art make you feel? I feel confindent in myself, or if not, her art makes me feel I can just be myself.  As a result of visiting the exhibition, how much potential do you believe art and literature have for influencing others & for changing the world for the good?  So much. However, what I thought is one of her art’s strength is naturalness. The words and picutures are not overly powerful or porposeful. That’s why her art naturally goes straight to people’s hearts. When you think about what Jones has achieved, are you inspired?  Yes, I’m very inspired by her. I also want to be infuluential to people and help them feel confindent about themselves. What mark would you like to leave on the world? What would you like your legacy to be? I would like to leave peace and happiness. I don’t want anyone to question the meaning of his life. I want to make the world a place where every...