Wednesday, October 12, 2011

vida . arte . yo

Woah, your first ever solo exhibition will be in about two weeks.  How do you feel?
In the past 3 years, one dream after another came true.  I have become a witness/participant to the possibility of life.  This show is going to be the first official climax of the journey.  Since I landed in Barcelona, the only thought on my mind is this artwork I’m making.  Now that it is coming alive, my heart is in awe.

I am also amazed at your growth here.  Your life, art, and self are all connected at last.  Like trinity, they are inseparable.  Art transcends through self while life is awakening self.  Self creates art while art is expressing life.  Life inspires art while self is living life.  Sounds like an art theory lecture, ha…
It is not an easy concept to fully grasp.  Words can explain to a certain extent but have their limitation.  That’s when art comes in, taking our mind to heartfelt insights and soulful territories.

We certainly sound like one of those profound artists.  How would you describe the taste of this particular period?
Like authentic spring water…  One that is fresh but full of aftertaste.  Each day the sun softens my whole being and the sea extends my horizon.   I feel rejuvenated!

Even when you have to work day & night for your art?  Not exhausted?
Time will fly.  Before I know it, tomorrow will the opening of my show.  It is important to savor each bit and piece of the creative process in slow motion.  Never in my life has art been so vibrantly linked with every breath I’m taking.  You can’t imagine the joy of this artistic enlightenment.  Yes, it is hard work, and I do get tired from time to time, but that is the point!  I want to fully embrace everything, including the bitter, sour, sweet, and salty part.

I have faith this exhibition will become much more than a mere showcase.  Each move and decision you make is transforming your being from inside out.  Like your friends said, “You are having the time of your life.”  Yet I better let you get back to work as we know each blog entry usually take at least half a day to finish.
That’s right, love.  Gracias!  Using this time as a pause for high-speed motor, I need to record the present tense.  If I journal about the experience afterward, it will only be a reflection.  I am NOW capturing the very moment of writing in the gallery with my massive baby behind me.  He will grow into a representation of the subconscious realm.  Shall be patient to see the outcome though.

時間一分一秒地過去,距離開幕的日子日漸迫近,眼看巨大的裝置慢慢成形,心中有百般滋味,起初只是著一個信念和一顆赤子之心來歐洲闖蕩、但一連串的機遇已經載我到生命的一個里程碑,第一個個展固然重要,但更深刻的是在這個過程中,生命、藝術與內心終於融為一體,每一口氣、每一步,我的藝術都穿梭於其中,如今不再只有自己在創作,幻變的人生也在時時刻刻地啟示著我,雖然藝術正在拖著我走,但只要生命改變航道,我倆都會隨之而漂浮到下一個目的地,這個概念可能比較難用文字表達及理解,所以今次的展覽將會有平面畫作、立體裝置及行為舞蹈等多個媒介去展示三者的微妙關係。

熾熱的
熊火繼續漫延,連那些枯死了的夢都一併燒起來,我已作好準備,義無反顧地傾出真我,以單純的心去創作這件有靈魂的作品, 開花之日,不遠矣


 It's time to visit the famous Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi!  The ongoing construction is expected to finish in 2025 - one hundred years after Gaudi died. 
Both sides of the church give completely different feeling - it's even more strange now that I realize the lighting was not the same when I took picture of the front & the back.
The phenomenon interior!  Felt like I walked in a scene in Final Fantasy.  Deep respect for Gaudi & everyone ever involved in this project. 
The light, the height, the color, the geometry - together they took my breath away.  I wonder how it would be like to sit still and meditate inside without any tourist around.
Gaudi's Pedrera is also a nicely organic design, but I have to admit all the others feel less impressive after seeing the peak of his artistic development - Sagrada Familia.
Does it look like a local area in Hong Kong or what?
After 6 years, Irene & I met not in the US or HK, but in BCN!!!  What a coincidence?!
Friends from studio gathered as one of the artists, Roesja (2nd from the left) was having an exhibition at the end of her stay.
An authentic Catalan restaurant.  Got to love those huge candles.  They even serve unlimited free wine tasting as you're waiting for the seats.  Wohoo!  Too bad I'm not a heavy drinker.
3 course meal for only 6 at this Egyptian looking place.  Cheap food rules!
Have Spanish lesson twice a week on the 2/F at this center.  "Hablo poco español!"
Bossa Jazz!!!  Thanks to Tania's recommendation.  Felt at home with the music for my soul.
Lovely friends making dinner at home.  I could only witnessed the process but not tasted the result.  :(
What's going on?  Another one of those alien invading earth movies?  NO WAY!!!
YES, but those aliens are called fire dragons during Fiesta La Mercè.  These funny looking demons danced around with fireworks in their hands while people tried to run toward & away from them.  At some point, it did feel like scenes from those "end of the world" films.
Different feel from the fiesta - upcycle interactive installation at parc de la ciutadella.
Various shows were happening in the park, but this particular performance stroke me with the combination of dancing and rock-climbing.  A freaking strong but elegant lady!
It's especially amusing to see another fiesta in my local neighborhood because the crowd is not huge but warm.  Grannies all came out swinging their bodies in the plaza.
Run, everyone, it's dinosaur! No kidding!  He came to spice up our cozy little street.
Guess where I was?
Bingo!  A make up studio for movies!
And the Oscar goes to... my cute friend David!  Gosh, it's @#*$%^ HEAVY...
A studio activity - drawing skyline from the sailboat of the directors.
Falling in love with the sun & the sea...
Watched a photographer works about stories of people living along the mediterranean sea projected on the sail one evening.  Excellent way to show it & terrific time to hang out.
Experiment with Lena - yes, I was dancing & splashing paint again.
Love the humongous "t-shirt" behind us.  Well, it's actually an abandoned curtain.
At last, the secret is revealed.  You get to see parts of the progress...
It's growing, growing, and growing...
And it shall continue to grow till the opening on Oct 27th.