AOAart

Autistic or Artistic? Art, also known as AOAart is an organisation created by the Beijing Rehabilitation Association of Autistic Children, which allows autistic individuals to express their originality and personality through art. The society aims to raise awareness of autism whilst supporting the individuals in their realization of self-value and to become part of a community with their own power, thus regaining pride and dignity for autistic people.

The aim of AOAart is to regain pride and dignity for autistic people, support autistic people in their realization of self-value and to return to the community with their own power, and, through social interaction with autistic people, stimulate humanistic reflection and to rethink about human conditions and values.

Timeline[edit]

2 April 2008 The first annual "World Autism Awareness Day". The organisation held the first exhibition, "Love Beneath an Azure Sky", featuring paintings by autistic children. This national exhibition is the first one that addresses autistic children in China.

April 2008 AOAart's website was set up.

2009 AOAart's BBS This was set up for better discussions on autistic art tutoring. AoAart is short for "Autistic or Artistic ". As the name suggests, it reminds people to rethink general attitudes about people with autistic and their abilities.

1–6 April 2009 AOAart held the 2nd Exhibition "Love Beneath an Azure Sky" featuring paintings by autistic children.

April 2010 In order to promote the independence and self-improvement of autistic people, the first brand of autistics: AOAart was established. They experimentally used artwork to produce cups and T-shirts. The income made contributions to autistic children's treatments.

2 April 2010 AOAart held the 3rd Exhibition "Love Beneath an Azure Sky" featuring paintings by autistic children.

2–16 April 2011 AOAart held the 4th Exhibition "Love Beneath an Azure Sky" featuring paintings by autistic children.

16 September 2011 AOAart was invited by "Art Beijing" to sign the professional art gallery. This was a memorial moment as a symbol of autistic people's works of art recognized by the society.

31 March 2012 AOAart Studio was found in 798 Art District. This was the first professional art institution to address autistic people. The studio's responsibility was to make advertisements, hold exhibitions, provide guidance and treatments and volunteer training services.

April 2012 The fifth "Love Beneath an Azure Sky" introduced externally produced autistic people's works of art into China. They also invited many famous internal artists to examine the art.

1 June 2012 AOAart Studio partnered with 798 Art District held "International Children Art Week", which promoted the cohesion of autistic and neurotypical communities.

20 June 2012 AOAart was invited by Hoffer-launay Education Center in Paris, France to display a fresco of autistic paintings. Several French media organisations reported on the event. This was an international cooperation focused on disabled children's art activities. This event contributed to popularizing the works of the organisation throughout the world.

2–7 April 2013 AOAart held the 6th Exhibition "Love Beneath an Azure Sky" featuring paintings by autistic children.

September–December 2013 Artworks by autistic children were exhibited around the seven high schools along with the sale of art printed on merchandise. The income contributed to funding for services for autistic people.

25 September 2013 Shakuhachi concert. A small fundraising concert was held for the charity.

27 September 2013 Rubber Duck Sketch Competition AOAart's autistic children were drawing as guests of Beijing Design Week. The singer Allen Lin was also invited to the event with children.

4 November 2013 A collaboration between AOAart and "Star Bunny Love" (a fashion brand by model Chenbige). A Charity Bazaar was held at IZZUE's shop in Beijing. Halloween cloaks, baked goods and hand-painted T-shirts were created by the autistic children and volunteers.

6 November 2013 A workshop between AOAart and Intel was held in Beijing.

14 December 2013 two painting charity auctions

Dec.14th Organized by 10 families, the first charity auction sold 17 paintings, including original paintings of the AOAart Studio, paintings of the 10 volunteering families and other products deriving from those paintings. A charity fund of over 60 thousand yuan（US＄9930）was raised by this event. There was also a second charity auction held at this time for the 2013 International Wedding Fashion Week. In this auction, 3 paintings painted by the children were sold and raised over 20 thousand yuan（US＄3310.

Services[edit]

Classes

AOAart.cn offers 5 types of weekly classes. Each term of the class lasts for 3 months. Children who have finished 2 terms of any course will be told to pause their treatment for a period of time.

1. Interest Developing class: The aim of this course is to let children find their passion in various materials through different activities.

2. Music & Painting class: During Music & Painting class, music is played while the children paint. The course also includes basic vocal training.

3. General Art treatment:The purpose of this course is to deal with the children's behavioral and mental problems. While taking the class, the children build trust in the relationship with their teacher and develop social skills. The class offers a variety of art training. Painting, making models with clay, and basic dance class are included.

4. Training for Professional Art: The class is designed for children who have the potential or interest in pursuing a professional art. Professional artists give specific directions for every single individuals.

5. Handicrafts making: Handicrafts are made during this class by both autistic adults and children. The goal is to create works that go on to be sold.

AOAart.jp[edit]

Early July 2013 "24-Hour Project" in Tokyo, Japan (AOAart.uk and AOAart.jp collaboration event)

10–18 July 2013 "Communication without Language" Exhibition at Nagareyama Shougai Gakushu Center in Chiba (AOAart.uk and AOAart.jp collaboration event)

14 July 2013 Painting workshop at Nagareyama Shougai Gakushu Center in Chiba, Japan

15 July 2013 Guest Talk at Nagareyama Shougai Gakushu Center in Chiba, Japan

9 October – 13 October ASIA PARAART TOKYO 2013 AOAart was invited to take part in ASIA PARAART TOKYO 2013, displayed Paintings and Writings by disable artists in Asian countries. There was submitted the work of 600 from abroad and 400 from Japan. After being screened, 222 works are on display in the hall. Among them, 5 paintings by artists of AOAart.cn.

AOAart.uk[edit]

28 March 2013 Establishment of AOAart.uk (UK branch of AOAart) in London

24 April 2013 Painting workshop with Home Education students in Oxford, UK

May–June 2013 The launch of "24-Hour Project" in London

3 June 2013 "Communication without Language" Exhibition at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, Archway, London

6–10 December 2013 AOAart X Dear Lola first collaboration garment ss2014 showcase at Birmingham Clothes Show 2013

Upcoming Events 2014 AOAart X Dear Lola fw2014 collaboration collection Painting Workshop at CASS ART (To be confirmed)

AOAart.kr[edit]

Mid June 2013 "24-Hour Project" in Seoul, Korea (AOAart.uk and AOAart.kr collaboration event)

29 June 2013 Art performance by Professor Kim Hye-Kyun from Woosong University with Yuhi Shimomura (former AOAart.uk member, now a member of AOAart.jp), Seoul, Korea "24-Hour Project" in Seoul, Korea

References[edit]

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