Thursday, February 21, 2008

空间艺术vs时间艺术

  • 吴亚鸿/Goh Ah Ang

《生活》 68cm x 68cm  吴亚鸿水墨画作品


  曾经到一所艺术学院去,谈有关《生活与艺术》的课题。

  讲座会完毕后,我在学院的大门口见到两位讲师。一位是戏剧系的编导,另一位是画家。他们正在谈论‘空间艺术’和‘时间艺术’的比较美学。

  所谓空间艺术,指的是雕塑、绘画和建筑,而时间艺术则是诗词、音乐和戏剧等。

  他们谈着谈着,语调渐渐转高。两人都非常坚持各自的观点。

  编导激昂地说:“你看,海明威的著作《老人与海》搬上银幕,其震撼力多么的巨大。作品中,那位孤独的老人置身茫茫大海中,与海、与鱼、与自己的体力和意志进行搏斗,确实展现出一股强烈的探索精神。”

  他接着又说:“试问有哪一位画家的作品能够有如此的力量和如此的精神?”

  画家回应:“帕布罗毕卡索于1937年所绘制的《格尔尼卡》壁画,它的震撼力更为强烈。画家把战争最恐怖和最令人惊怵的一面真实地表现出来,画面上每个形象都是一种情感的信号,都能拨动起人们不安与愤怒的情绪。”

  他们两人高谈阔论,我在一旁静静地听。

  忽然,其中一人转过头来对我说:“亚鸿,你是教儿童画的,比较单纯。你来说说看,究竟空间艺术还是时间艺术的影响力大?”

  就在那个时候,有个要过马路的小孩,不小心被路旁的石礅绊倒了。我急忙走过去,将小孩扶了起来,并带他越过马路。

  到了对面,我回头一望,看到两人还在指手划脚。显然,‘时间艺术’和‘空间艺术’还在对话。

  从一段距离看他们,‘时间’似乎变短了,‘空间’也变小了。

  在那一刻,我脑海中浮现一个想法:我们一直为空间艺术和时间艺术坚持己见,丝毫不肯让步。是否可以想想,在我们的实际生活中,还有一种叫着‘人间艺术’的呢?


Tuesday, February 12, 2008

莲花上的蚂蚁

  • 吴亚鸿/Goh Ah Ang


《莲花上的蚂蚁》 (局部)

  一位朋友看了我的蚂蚁图,说:“蚂蚁哪有这样的颜色?一般上不是红就是黑,再不然就是白的。你这一种是什么名堂?”接着又说:“还有啊,蚂蚁竟然爬在莲花上,如果画的是蜜蜂那才有意思!”

  我画蚂蚁,主要是借用蚂蚁隐喻人生。蚂蚁的色彩和出现所在,都有一定的意义和象征。可是,很多时候,看的人无法了解创作的意涵,更多时候是以先入为主的观念去判断和批评。

  以下的一则故事,最能体现欣赏者和创作者的不同角度与观念。

  苏东坡是宋朝名家,博学多才。他与宰相王安石是深交,因此时常登门拜访 。有一次,造访不遇,仆人请他在书房等候。苏东坡闲着无聊,左盼右顾,看到王安石留在桌上的诗句。诗云:

  “明月当空叫,黄犬卧花心。”

  苏东坡看了摇摇头,心想堂堂一个宰相,怎么写出如此诗句,明月怎能当空叫?黄犬如何卧花蕊呢?

  于是,苏东坡信手拈来,将‘叫’改为‘照’,再将‘心’改为‘荫’,然后得意地告辞。

  王安石回来,认得字迹,看了喃喃自语地说:“苏东坡呀苏东坡,你也有孤陋寡闻的时候啊!”

  宰相本想派人把苏东坡追回来,告诉他诗句创作的原意。但转念间,又觉得应该让苏东坡自己去长长见识吧。

  话说,后来苏东坡因写诗得罪皇帝,被贬到黄州。

  在一个夏夜,他坐在树下乘凉,忽闻一阵清脆悦耳的声音,向人询问,得知那是鸟鸣声。此鸟常在月圆时,对月鸣叫,当地人称它为‘明月鸟’。苏东坡听了不禁失声:“ ‘明月’原来是鸟!”

  再过了几年,苏东坡又被贬到惠州。有一天他到泗州塔旁的栖禅寺游玩,那时正值春节,寺中摆满各种奇花异草。他被一盆盛开的花卉吸引住,只见每朵花的中间都有些黄色似蕊非蕊的东西卷曲着。仔细一看,原来是一条条的小虫。

  苏东坡好奇地问寺中长老,长老说:“这种奇异的花虫,惠州才有。只要阳光一照,它便躲到花蕊中,因为它是黄色的,当地人把它叫着‘黄犬虫’。”

  苏东坡听了,心头一震。想起自己错改王安石的诗句,后悔不已,回府即刻写信道歉。

  我的作品,莲花上那群蚂蚁,头黑腹黑,胸部丹红,出现在一朵盛放的莲花上,想传达的是‘有生命就有希望’。冀望,欣赏者能以不同角度和观念,去慢慢地观赏与体会。


  备注:更多作品请浏览《蚂蚁画家》。



Tuesday, February 5, 2008

A rat’s tale - Art Exhibition in honour of the little creature

Events StarMetro, Monday 4 February 2008
Article by Tho Xin Yi
Photo by wkimkiat




What happens when hundreds of rats ‘invade’ an art institution?

We can assure you that no one went scampering about screaming and no pest controllers were summoned. It actually turned out to be a very calm affair.

These special ‘rats’ were merely sculptures created by the Top-Art School of Art and Design students aged 12 and below for their special rat-themed exhibition.

Their creative works surely got the attention of the visitors of the exhibition who were surprised by the unique and often funny depiction of the pesky rats.

Being the chosen zodiac for this Chinese New Year, the rat has been enjoying almost a celebrity status this year. And the exhibition is one of the many ‘tributes’ in honour of this little creature.

Top-Art founder Goh Ah Ang said that throughout the sculpture making process, the students also had the opportunity to learn more about the Chinese culture.

“We told them stories about the 12 zodiacs and they found it very fascinating,” said the 54-year-old.

Besides, art plays an integral part in a child’s mental and intellectual development, he added.

“It stretches their imaginations, improves their observations and trains them to be dexterous,” said Goh.

Eventhough the rats are often reviled, Goh and his teachers have been teaching the children to be kind to the little creature.

“Look at Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, people often forget that it’s actually a rat. We should treat all creatures equally,” he said.

The choice of clay as the material to make the sculptures is significant as well.

“Clay is from the earth. We are able to produce beautiful things from it.

“Clay is soft when it’s wet and hard when it’s dry – this represents the yin and yang duality,” said Goh.

Goh pointed out that the three main features of the rats are its long tail, big ears and pointy mouth.

Goh said that with the basic information given to them, the children used their vivid imaginations to produce extraordinary sculptures.

“For instance, we told them about the story of a rat marrying a cat in the hope of ending their predator and prey relationship.

“One of the kids then made a rat and put it on a motorbike, saying that it is the bride’s ex-boyfriend and wants to catch up with the wedding troupe to win its love back,” said Goh.

Titled “Rat Says,” the exhibition tells the stories of rats through some adorable sculptures.

“Different colours generate different feelings. We let the children speak through the colours as well,” said Goh.

The exhibition is opened to public from 11am – 5pm daily until Feb 5. Top-Art is located at 43-B&C, Jalan Taiping, 41400 Klang, Selangor.

For details, call 03-33421753.


Proclaiming undying love: Will you marry me?


Time to indulge: A family sharing a sweet corn.


Me first: Three little rats sharing the Chinese ang ku kuih.


It's all about quality lifestyle: A family of rats enjoying a reunion.


Sharing the cake of development and growth.