Traveling in Taipei 6 / 台北城市生活旅行 6

充滿回憶的城市

兩個星期前在報紙上讀到新光人壽基金會舉辦的一場小展覽，由藝術傳承志工帶領一群老人們，利用勞作把他們一生的回憶具像化。我在展覽的第一天便迫不急待地衝去誠品敦南店，這些作品並不是純熟的藝術，但是我無法拒絕圖像背後的真摯。

基金會的小姐充滿熱誠，向我一一介紹老人們的作品，她說，老先生老太太大多沉默寡言，簡單的藝術創作卻成為他們和世界的接口，用線條及顏色表達的回憶，令人大嘆他們安靜的外表下，居然曾有如此多彩的人生。在這些簡單卻吸引人的圖像背後，我看到這個城市的過往。雖然那些簡單或可愛的願望、夢想、初戀，已深埋在時間的洪流裡，但是至少它們曾經存在。

很想作一幅畫，訴說我看到這些作品的感動。有一位阿媽，最大的夢想就是種A菜和煮A菜給大家吃，這個夢想聽起來很單純，卻又帶著無限誠懇，有著關懷他人的大志。於是我用各種綠色畫了一張抽象畫，但是成品讓我想到Bruno，他是畫植物的專家，我的畫看起來比較像是劣質的仿冒品。

我在想，年老時我能用怎麼樣的回憶取暖呢？


The city filled with memories

Two weeks ago I read in the newspaper about a small exhibition held by Shin Kong Life Foundation. Two Legacy Art Works social workers led a group of elderly people in recording their life experiences in the form of visual art. On seeing the pictures, I knew I had to go. I was there in Eslite Bookstore the first day. The artworks were by no means sophisticated, but they spoke to me, with the language I am obsessed with.

The young lady from the Foundation introduced to me the elders' artworks with enthusiasm. She said that most old people in the nursing home were taciturn. However, the program helped them tell their past with lines, colors and collage. Underneath their quiet appearances, their inner worlds were overhelmingly colorful. And I saw the past of this city. Though their first love, dreams and wishes were deeply buried with time passing, at least they were once there. That makes this place warmer and less empty.

I wanted to do a painting to show how I was touched by these pictures. I was most impressed with a grandma whose dream was to grow veggies and cook them for other people. This is a simple wish, yet so full of thoughtfulness. I used all kinds of green and came up with an abstract picture. When I saw the result, I couldn't help thinking of Bruno. He is an expert at painting plants. Mine looks more like a cheap imitation of his works:-).

I am wondering, on which memories can I feed in my old age?