圓融 Privilege

<12祭> 創作歷程最終回 

12個藝術祭祀，12段與天地經歷的難忘片段，每個開始都有終結，每趟結束亦是另一個起點。謝謝大海的守護，讓我以非言語方式與之溝通，作為創作者，能於此時此刻有此機會，是今生的榮幸。

The journey of <12 Rites> Final Chapter

12 artistic rituals turn out to be 12 memorable encounters with the heaven and earth.  The closure of each journey only leads to the beginning of another path. Thanks to the providence of the ocean, for giving me the privilege to have these dialogues beyond words.  It is my honor to have such opportunity at this particular point of life.

創作理念

有試過跟大地傾訴心事嗎？只要稍稍把腦內的雜音靜下來，走進大自然，隨處都會聽到她與我們對話，海浪是輕輕的私語，微風是溫柔的擁抱，鳥兒小蟲大合奏也時刻提醒我們在思潮中不至迷失。當文明只能帶來恐懼及紛擾時，也許是時候轉向我們的大地之母，她穹蒼的智慧令我們自已為是的想法更顯得渺小。

藝術是通往心靈的一扇門，當文字不能再傳釋內心真正的意思時，創造力便會就地取材把故事描述。而這系列作品獲得由大海預備數之不盡的物料，當中混雜了自然界與人類的廢棄物。每件裝置都與周遭的環境配合，透過創作者的手，顯示可能是土地給人們的密函，又或是我們謙卑的心對地球崇敬的祭品。

Artist Statement

Ever communicated with Mother Earth? Just try to pause the noises in our mind for a moment & listen to nature; we will realize what abundance we have been missing. While each wave could be a whisper, breezes are like gentle pads on our shoulders. The bird & insect symphony never ceases to get the attention off our brain chatter.  When our civilization can only offer fear & distraction, it is about time to turn to our Mother Earth for wisdom.  The more we listen, the less we will want to shout our thoughts.

Art is a doorway to our soul.  When words fail to express what's truly within, creativity comes in to use what's available to tell the story. In this case, the ocean has prepared numerous materials: some from nature; others from us human. Each work is specifically made from the environment. It may contain an important message from our land to us or a tribute from our humble heart to the loving earth.

The making of

Was working on the beach long before the actual performance

The sand drawing didn't turn out so well with the tide kept coming in to "taste" the art.  One example of letting go of the creation.

What a lovely smile right before the soulful act, LOL!

My fellow artists/child/audience

That's the other side you didn't catch from my previous photos.

Beautiful sky looking upon the art

So, what did you just say?

The human presence

When I wasn't out by the sea, sometimes I helped with other stuffs in the house too, hehe...  In this case, making newsprint bricks

特別嗚謝：海邊的家Café／猿林森活藝術駐村 (台灣北海岸)

Special Thanks: Monkey Style Café Artist in Residence (Taiwan North Coast)

開悟 ‬Liberation

<12祭> 創作歷程第四章

要參透人生奧秘談何容易，每個人都有自己畢生要學的課題，抱著一顆勇於探索的赤子之心，向未知進發，生命自會為你度身訂造一條開悟之路。途中別忘記欣賞沿岸風光，偶然停下來，靜心聆聽大地之母，休息過後，再上路，再與心靈翩翩起舞。

The journey of <12 Rites> Chapter 4

Who can fully fathom the mystery of life?  Everyone has his or her own lesson to learn in life.  A path of liberation maybe around the corner if we courageously step into the unknown with a pure heart.  Yet to slow down and appreciate the beauty along the way is just as important. Our Mother Earth is keen to communicate at all times.  All we have to do is pause and listen.  For only when we truly live in the moment, can we gracefully dance with our soul. 

一體 Transmute

<12祭> 創作歷程第三章 

用各種物料組成的環境裝置以不同形式與大地對話，被沖上岸之廢棄物中，以人類製造的最為醜陋，但大自然繼續包容我們的無知。其實不分美醜，時候一到，都要面臨改變，與現時的模樣告別，進入下個狀態，打從作品誕生的一刻，已做好了與大海再融為一體的準備。

The journey of <12 Rites> Chapter 3

Composed of different materials, these land art are in various dialogues with nature. The waves bring all kinds of ruins back to the land.  Though man abandoned objects are in contrast with the beautiful harmony, Mother Earth continues to tolerate our ignorance.  Nonetheless, all spectacular or hideous beings have to face transmutation.  When the time has come, we farewell our current form and enter into another state.  Likewise, The artworks are prepared to return to the ocean ever since the moment they were born.

Formosa

After 1.5 years of struggle in Hong Kong, I finally made the move to look for alternative opportunities and most importantly, a quiet place to create in Taiwan. Why was it so difficult back home this time? I could go on and on and whine about all the so-called practical reasons, but it seems silly to do so now. Who doesn't have baggage, heartache, and responsibility anyway?

3 years ago, things were going smooth. I nonetheless decided to take off to Europe for a life-changing adventure. It turned out to be the climax of my life. Yet the same thing which brings you to the top can also haunt you for the rest of your life. That's probably why so many heartbroken romances leave the couples devastated. Hong Kong simply cannot compare to the inspiring London and blissful Barcelona. It still doesn't have the soil to nurture creativity and the capacity to embrace differences. To be honest, my heart was barely alive in this dark period.

Anyhow, there is no one to blame, including myself. Although something could have been handled better, all was meant to be. I have to learn this necessary lesson possibly no other way. How could I be reconstructed if not broken first? Both the glorious and gloomy time of life clearly show me that nothing is permanent. My priority is no longer searching for more highs to fill the holes but a tranquil dwelling to ground my soul and cultivate my art. Surely inner peace is attained from within not without, but I'm also aware that my spirit is not calm enough to go far at the moment. A location with soothing energy can give me a lift. Thus, this is where I am at, Formosa.  Here I carry on my soulful journey in mindful pace.

在台灣一個月，感覺平靜了。放下香港的工作室及其他瑣事後，我再踏上旅途，這次目標更明確：尋找機會，靜心創作。無需任何華麗刺激的冒險，只要讓我重新感受大地，使困擾已久的心靈得到休息，令差點枯乾的藝術得到滋養，就足夠了。

離開前個多月，胃部忽然感到脹痛，起初以為只是消化不良，嘗試過多種坊間療法，情況也沒有好轉，於是中西醫雙管齊下，入院差不多全身檢查， 但仍找不到所謂的病因。其實心中有數，身體不適往往是生命其他部分出了亂子，從歐洲回港後這年半充滿了深層掙扎，難道我真以為可以免於一病嗎？

謝謝胃病老師，為這趟旅程揭開了一個謙卑的序幕，現在只要稍為緊張急速用餐，身體便會立刻發出警告，終於沒有選擇餘地，要把所有生活節奏 - 慢 - 下 - 來。

近日生命之河帶我到北海岸「海邊的家cafe」駐村創作，每天跑去看天色、聽浪花、寫隨筆，把非筆墨所能形容的觸動幻化成一件件與大自然對話的環境裝置。這裏的體驗讓我有感而發，為總結這篇相隔十八個月的網誌，寫了八句似詩非詩的文字：

「久違了的， 寧靜和平，身心所需，就是如此 ，一切從簡，回歸基本，放空當下，海闊天空 。」

Ready for yet another go?

Teaser for a series of installation/land art by the sea.

And your catch for the day is...

The Blue Monument

Mini Nazca Lines?

Daily visit to the beach.

Precious space, time, and people

Can breakfast be more enjoyable?

Ease

My little cutie chalk drawing!

All set to paint.

靜心 Be Still My Soul

[Kituru] means practice or learning in Paiwan, an indigenous tribe in Taiwan.  LOVE the earthy but minimal aesthetic of this cafe.  [Kituru] 排灣語練習或學習的意思，這家位於台東的原住民咖啡店暫時是我的台灣至愛。

Our lovely host in Hualien.  Thanks for lending me The Path to Freedom by His Holiness The Dalai Lama! I'm learning a great deal about Tibet and the scary liberation by China.

生彩 Breathing Hue

One magnificent view of our mother earth.

Grounded - a closure piece for this life period.  From here on, it's highlight of 2013-14 Hong Kong flashback.

爸爸媽咪，多謝你們一直以來的支持，我會努力的！回來再一起行山！

Let's shout, my beloved sisters in HK! Thank you for your company all along.

The closing ceremony of "Grow On" - a disastrous installation during JCCAC Art Festival.  I squeezed out the last bit of energy from the chaos of life to perform this creative offering.

Paint! Mess! Crap!  Pretty sure JCCAC won't let me do a large scale installation there again but neither would I.  No hard feeling.  It's just over.

My much missed JCCAC art critique group!  Wai, second from the left, is my first and only art residence student from Netherlands.  Mentoring her was a rewarding experience.

Here we're trying the set up of an upcycle X'mas decoration.  This big project wouldn't be possible without the help of many many many friends.

Last touch at Zero Carbon Building.

Colorful rubbish art, baby!

Upcycle wedding decoration for the same client.  All made from abandoned woods and furnitures.

Jeff from Canada, also the first and only resident artist I received, investigated the idea of HOME in HK, where his father was born and raised.

His closure exhibition was a great turn out!  Glad I was able to offer this opportunity to him.

Modelling performance at John McArthur's solo exhibition opening. Drawing by Jack Loo on the right.

Can you find the Tao?

Big thank you to my dear friends who came to help out an important blind-folded session for my Right Brain Potential Creative Course.  Really proud I managed to pull off this class with Conney in the midst of ups and downs.

Close your eyes and see.

Thanks to yoga; I could enjoy the periodic peace and silence.

You can tell who has a better posture OR you can say I'm not a very good teacher, ha...

Thank you, dear, for leaving me with a delightful memory in the beginning of 2013.

2013 is over.  2014 is half way done.  Let the rest unfold in peace.