Monday, April 21, 2008

Hungarians / 匈牙利人

在最近一封我和「小房間」的駐布達佩斯代表─匈牙利小姐的通信中,她引了這麼一段話來說明匈牙利這個民族:當美籍義裔的物理學家、同時也是諾貝爾獎主Enrico Fermi〈1901-1954〉,被問到他是否相信外星人的存在時,他回答:「他們就存在於我們之中,但是自稱為匈牙利人。」想了這段話好幾天,這個圖面就浮現於我的腦海。

In my latest correspondence with the rep of Little Room from Budapest--Miss Hungary, she quoted some words to describe the Hungarian people. When Enrico Fermi (1901-1954, Italian-American Nobel Prize winning physicist) was asked whether he believed extra-terrestrials existed, he replied, "They are among us, but they call themselves Hungarians." This quote obsessed me for a few days, and then voila, here is the image...

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Miss Motomiya / 本宮小姐

當你去旅行到另一個城市時,會優先拜訪以下的哪一類景點?
1) 百貨公司、購物商圈
2) 植物園、動物園
3) 美術館、博物館
4) 廟宇、教堂
5) 咖啡店、酒館

When you travel to a new city, which of the followings will you put on the top of your visit list?
1) department stores, shopping areas
2) botanical gardens, zoos
3) art museums, all kinds of museums
4) temples, churches
5) cafes, bars

今天和本宮小姐閒聊時,她說她最想拜訪的景點是廟宇,尤其是龍山寺,倒不是因為她本身是佛教徒,而是她到世界各地,習慣和當地的神祉打招呼,表示尊敬。大概是因為這樣,這次她的作品以龍為主題,好像和神話也可以扯得上邊。

Today when I chatted with Miss Motomiya, she said she would like to visit the temples in Taipei, especially Long-shan Temple. It is not because she is a Buddhist. She just wants to say hello to the gods when she travels to different places of the world as a sign of respect. I guess this can explain why the theme of her work this time is connected to the mythical animal--dragon.

這讓我想到,每個藝術家都有自己的核心主題,我喜歡探討很瑣碎的情緒、平凡的日常生活、片段的畫面,不過聽香小姐這麼一說,下次我到廟裡一遊時,應該也要好好探討一下廟宇的建築和神祉的造型,如果還可以習得用超脫世俗的眼光看待世間的一切,我應該會更豁達吧!

This conversation reminds me that every artist has his or her core subject. I like to explore very trivial feeling, ordinary daily life, and fragmental moments. However, on learning Kaoru's point of view, next time when I go to the temple, I should be more patient and try to take a closer look at the architecture of the building and sculpture of the icons. If I am lucky enough to master the art of viewing the world with detachment, I will be free from many worldly restraints.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

historic shot / 熱血寫真

這一天在關渡公園快要告一段落時,來自日本的藝術家本宮香拿出相機來記錄當天的工作進展,雖然她不喜拍照,但是看在我每次都辛苦地幫她打雜,便欣然答應。左三穿著工作服的就是Kaoru,而兩旁分別是熱心的義工和工作人員。

That day, when we were about to call it a day in Guandu Park, Ms. Kaoru Motomiya, the artist from Japan, took out her camera to record the progress of her work. Though I'd learned she was not fond of being the object in photos, she accepted nicely our invitation to take a picture together. (I assume that had something to do with my hard labor work for two days.) You can find Kaoru second from the left. On the right were the volunteer and staff member of the park.

這張照片對於在全球各地不斷參展的Kaoru來說,可能只是在台灣留下的一小步足跡,對我而言,卻無限珍貴,除了記錄著我曾有如此熱血的時刻,也代表著我的心願,希望有一天,也有人能被我這樣影響著。

This photo might be nothing other than an ordinary record of a few days spent in Taiwan for Kaoru, who travels around the globe all the time for exhibitions. For me, it means a lot. On the one hand, it reminds me of my burning passion and also my wish--I hope one day, there are people who can be influenced by me, in this way.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

these artists / 藝術家

最近的我,充滿了憤怒,與其說是針對任何人,不如說是我對自己內在的反動,而這樣強烈的情緒,讓我很認真積極地尋找出口,所以我並不覺得整件事是負面的。

Lately, I've been filled with wrath. It is targeted not so much at anyone as at myself. The overwhelming emotion prompted me to look for exits, with a more serious attitude than ever. Therefore, I don't think of it as a negative experience at all.

就在我這麼需要和外在的世界接觸之際,剛好有機會參與關渡公園舉辦的第三屆「自然裝置藝術季」,於是我很難得地近距離觀察入選的藝術家,還有一同前來幫忙的義工。我的工作雖然只是做粗工,幫忙搬竹子撿石頭,但是同時我看到了藝術家的態度,這些人的名字輸入Google都可以找得到數個相關的網站,不過他們的外表卻不能夠再更簡樸了,創作的時候,就算是在炙熱的大太陽底下,依然一心一意;沒有漂亮的言詞,可是對於他們的作品,卻充滿執著和堅持。他們自己都說,單純做這一行是很難維生的,但他們仍然義無反顧地走下去。我想我對自己生氣的原因應該是,我的堅持不見了。

Righ when I was in urgent need to be in contact with the outer world, I was blessed with an opportunity to be part of the third Outdoor Sculpture Festival held by Guandu Park. I thus could observe the selected artists and other volunteers at a closer look. My job was no more than carrying materials and picking pebbles for the artists, but in the meanwhile, I witnessed the artists' attitude toward art. Their names, when keyed into Google, lead to tons of websites, yet they can't care less about their looks. While creating their works, even exposed to the sun, they were so single-minded. They are not eloquent speakers; however, they have such strong commitment to and insistence for their ideas. A lot of them said it is impossible to earn bread by doing only installation art. Still, they go on without any second thought. I guess, the reason for my anger should be that my insistence was gone.

今年的主題是全球暖化,在座談會上,藝術家呈現過去的作品集,也稍微帶過目前在關渡公園進行的作品,每個人創作歷史的軸心和保護地球息息相關,藝術家相信藝術是可以達到某種呼籲的效用,也講求和大自然的和諧並存。其實座談會上人並不多,我不知道藝術家從其他國家千里迢迢飛來,在台上看到台下只有幾十個人,會不會失望,但身為台下的觀眾,雖然我只是一個人,我卻如此地被感動,因為我的藝術一直都是為了自己,他們讓我看到了很大的世界,提醒著我要走出去。

The theme this year is about global warming. In the seminar, the artists not only presented their past works but also mentioned the projects in progress in Guandu Park. Everyone's art concepts are so related to protecting the earth. The artists firmly believe in the power of art, which can be used to remind every human being that our globe has been seriously damaged. They also stress the idea of making their works part of nature. There weren't many people present in the seminar. I don't know how the artists felt since they had flown from their countries to Taiwan, only to see a handful of participants. As the audience, I didn't count much, but I was deeply moved. My art was always for myself. They showed me a vast world, inviting me to take a step and join people.

回家之後,我想了一下自己因應這個主題可以做的事情,從今以後,我也要用我的方式關心環境、善加運用藝術,而不是只活在我小小的、狹隘的生活圈裡。如果你也需要一些感動,請在4月18日之後到關渡公園一遊,展覽會持續到九月,可是期間藝術家的作品會經歷許多改變,種植的種子會冒出芽來、雨水會重新塑造石頭、枝幹,這些是自然界會帶來的驚喜,而藝術家的設計稿裡已為它們預留了空間。

After going home, I gave some thought to what I could do in response to this issue. From now on, I want to show my concern for the environment in my own ways and make better use of art rather than just live in my own small, narrow world. If you need some stimulation, please take a trip to Guandu Park after April, 18th. The exhibition will continue until September, but during the five months, the artists' works will undergo many changes. The planted seeds will burgeon, rain will reshape twigs and stones. These are the surprises from nature, for which the wise artists have left room in their designs.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

shake off the reins / 脫韁

我的心就要飛出去了,畫畫是暫時的鎮定劑。

My heart is about to fly away. Painting is the temporary sedative.