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.