Intertwined by Fate - 有意无意之间
/
Between Intention and Serendipity - 随缘相缠
策展人：侯唯唯
Curator: Weiwei Gluckman
艺术家：冯佳
Artist: Feng Jia
艺术家：许静
Artist: Jing Xu
"Intertwine" represents a bold cross-disciplinary artistic venture, an interactive creation and exploration where the very term "intertwine" aptly describes this artistic state. The exhibition draws from the collaborative efforts of Jing Xu and Jia Feng, two female artists who bring calligraphy and gold jewelry – two distinctly separate art forms – into dialogue with each other, allowing for mutual permeation. Each set of works is the result of deep, intertwined, and interwoven thoughts between the two. The installations presented offer us a dramatic, subversive sensory experience. - 《缠》是一次大胆的艺术跨界、交互式创作与探索，缠——字面意义就可以形容这种艺术状态。展览内容来自许静、冯佳两位女艺术家让书法、金饰两个原本界限分明的艺术形式对话、相互渗透，且每一组作品的都是经过两人深度的思想 “缠绕、交织”后的结果。目前所呈现的装置“景象”将给我们带来一场具有颠覆性的感官经验的“戏剧”。
Jing Xu and Jia Feng both identify as craftsmen, each embodying the virtue of dedicating their lives to their craft while also being infinitely curious. Jing Xu has a clear vision for both inheriting and breaking through traditional Chinese calligraphy. She continuously explores a more diverse array of artistic expressions, enabling a bold "chemical reaction" with Jia Feng's gold jewelry designs. Jia Feng, founder of the "Aurum Jewelry Design Studio", transitioned from stage design to handcrafted design. Under the tutelage of masters in China, Belgium, and France, she learned goldsmithing, enameling, and lacquer work among other traditional crafts. In this exhibition, her gold ornaments serve as a medium for Xu Jing's calligraphic art, re-"weaving" form and meaning intertwined with calligraphy's essence and strokes, revealing the "invisible spaces" within. - 许静和冯佳都自称“手艺人”，两位都具备择一事终一生的品德，同时也都是无限好奇的人。许静对中国书法传统的承袭与突破都有异常清晰的呈现。在不同的艺术表现形式之间，她持续尝试更多元的可能性，因而能与冯佳的金饰设计进行大胆的“化学反应”； 冯佳是“丈四笔金饰设计工作室”创始人，从舞美设计出身跨界到手作设计，她师从中国、比利时、法国在该领域的巨匠，学习金工、珐琅、大漆等传统工艺，本展中她的黄金饰品竟能与许静的书法艺术互为载体，重新“编构”与书法内蕴、笔触“互文”的形和意，揭示其中“看不见的空间”。
Named "Intertwine," the exhibition signifies not only a close integration but also suggests ongoing, evolving change. Through inspiration, collision, connection, combination, superposition, and chain reactions, it breaks silence, presenting an unprecedented romanticism that brings two ancient cultural traditions into a new context; it attempts to influence different forms and mediums mutually, exploring the "critical point" where art forms and even opens up a new dimension. This exhibition aims to initiate a dialogue that both deconstructs and constructs, prompting viewers to reflect on identity, language, tradition, values, and more. - 以“缠”为名，即是紧密结合，又具有延绵不断变化的意味，她们的灵感激发、碰撞、 关联、结合、叠加、连锁反应，打破⽆⾔，呈现⽿⽬⼀新的浪漫，将两种古老的文化传统引入另一种语境；试图在不同形式和媒介之间相互影响，探索艺术形成的“临界点”，甚或开启一个全新的维度。本展更希冀以一场“有所破亦有所立“的对话，引发观者对身份、语言、传统、价值、等问题的思考。
——Curator/Wei Wei Gluckman - ——策展人/侯唯唯
BECOME A MEMBER WITH AURUMSPEAK
Jiajia is a skilled jewelry artisan with slender fingers, naturally dark eye circles, and tattoos all over her body. She speaks with a Beijing accent and has a really cool attitude. She doesn't seem like the type of girl you want to mess with at first glance. Strangely enough, we hit it off right away when we first met. We even started discussing our exhibition on the second meeting. - 佳佳是金飾手作人，細長的手指，自戴眼影的黑眼圈，一身纹身，北京話＂賊酷＂。一看就是不太好惹的姑娘。說來奇怪，我們的第一次見面就相談甚歡。竟然第二次就開始探討我們的展覽。
"Entwine" is the theme of our exhibition, proposed by Jiajia, and it makes perfect sense. For jewelry, "entwine" represents the intimate relationship between the adornment and the body. Whether it's a ring, a necklace, a brooch, or earrings, they all embrace the body in a way that creates an extremely intimate contact, even carrying a sense of belonging or an irreplaceable emotional attachment. Jiajia always manages to push the boundaries of form and meaning to their utmost extremes in a way that's truly exceptional. This completely wins me over. - ＂纏＂是這次我們展覽的主題，佳佳提出的。想來很有道理。對於首飾而言，纏意味着金飾與身體的關係。無論是戒指，項鍊，胸針，或是耳環都以一種環繞擁抱的姿態與身體產生了極為親密地接觸，甚至帶有某種歸屬性，或者不可取代的情感，佳佳總能夠以一種超乎妙境的獨特方式將形與意做到極致。這讓我完全服氣。
Calligraphy is the art of space, and the most direct expression of the ancient saying "the vitality and rhythm of qi" is the entwinement of lines. The solid lines constitute the planar part of calligraphy, while the combination of solid and void creates a complete trajectory of movement. The beauty of running script and cursive script lies in this very movement. Of course, we also overlay the thread of emotion into our writing, creating a more touching spiritual layer. - 書法是空間的藝術，古人說的氣韻生動最直接的表現就是線條的纏繞，其中實的線條構成了書法的平面部分，而虛實相加才構成了完整的運動軌跡，行草書的流動之美即在于此。當然我們也將情感這條線索疊加于書寫之中。從而構成精神層面更為動人之所在。
"Entwine" is love, mutual appreciation, and a two-way journey. It's also entanglement, pain, and the retrospective glance of farewell. In this life, we are often wrapped up in various relationships. Whether we are happy or not, we must always face the uncertainties, helplessness, and boredom of life with courage. So Jiajia and I are lucky. We not only have family and friends, but also the art that accompanies us. When we are alone, we enjoy it and find fulfillment in it. At the same time, we also share the joy it brings. - 纏是愛，是相互欣賞，是雙向奔赴。纏也是糾結，是痛楚，也是離別的回望。此生我們常常被各種關係纏繞。無論幸福與否，我們總要以勇敢的姿態去处理人生中的無常無奈與無趣。所以我和佳佳是幸運的，我們不僅擁有家人朋友，還有與自己相伴的藝術。獨處时，我們享受其中，因它而自足。同時也獲得了分享的喜悅。
Since it's a joint exhibition, we hope to blur the lines between us and create a seamless experience. So we've designed several elements that overlap between us. One is jewelry inspired by calligraphy, especially the overlapping calligraphic bookmarks that initially captivated me with their exquisite touch and seamless craftsmanship. Another is the installation artworks, which often feature spiral shapes. The spirals of rice paper connect heaven and earth, while the rotating gold jewelry creates a connection between different spaces, echoing Jiajia's patented design of the "mosquito coil clasp," a harmonious union of man and nature. - 既然是聯展，我們希望不分你我。于是設計了許多環節讓我們彼此疊加。一是以書法為載體的首飾，尤其是最初讓我心動的疊字書簽，嚴絲合縫的細膩手感讓我折服。二是裝置作品。裝置多以螺旋為主，宣紙的螺旋接通天地，金飾的旋轉構成大小場域的連通，也恰與佳佳的專利設計＂蚊香扣＂形成呼應，天人合一。
In addition, our individual works are also quite diverse. My "Wine Calligraphy" series extends from running script and cursive script to seal script and official script, adding even more fun and interest. The traditional calligraphy sections attempt to enhance the visual impact of the works through innovative display methods. Overall, the entire process of preparing for the exhibition has been exciting, and we've both been immersed in it with immense joy. We've also received support from many good friends, and we sincerely appreciate it. Looking forward to our reunion in Shanghai! - 除此之外，我們各自的作品也比較豐富。我的＂酒書＂系列從行草書延展到篆隸，更多了幾分趣味。傳統書法的部分試圖以更新的展陳方式為作品的視覺感受助力。總之，整個准備展覽的過程是讓人興奮的，我們倆沉浸其中快樂無比。同時也得到許多好朋友的支持，在此表示誠摯感謝！期待上海相聚！
——Artist/Jing Xu - ——艺术家/许静
BECOME A MEMBER WITH AURUMSPEAK
My knowledge of Xu Jing preceded our face-to-face encounter, and it was a fascinating process. For a long time, a close friend would often show me some of Xu Jing's calligraphy works and firmly believed that we could do something together. Thus, the name of this lady was engraved in my mind. - 我对许静的认知远远早于我们面对面的相识, 这是个挺奇妙的过程. 挚友在很长的一段时间里时常会给我展阅一些许静的书法作品, 并坚信我们可以一起做些事情. 于是这个女人的名字便篆在了我的脑袋里.
It is said that the spirit of calligraphy reflects the person. Xu Jing's calligraphy exudes a majestic spirit that is disciplined. Amidst its wildness, there is always a respect for this ancient craftsmanship. The seemingly unreasonable sharpness of her strokes also contains the unique confidence and steadfastness of a woman. These qualities are what I admire. The familiarity I gained from constantly admiring her works carried over to our first meeting, and the instant rapport and mutual attraction seemed natural, at least from my perspective. - 人说字气如人, 许静字中所带着的豪气是规矩的, 狂野中又时时体现出对这种古老手艺的敬重, 看起来不太讲理的犀利笔锋中又蕴含着女性独有的自信和稳妥, 这些气质都是我所热爱的. 时时欣赏她的作品给我带来的熟悉感也就带到了我们初次见面时, 瞬间默契、相互吸引的似乎顺理成章, 至少对于我来说是这样的心态.
Our first "collaboration" occurred before our meeting. Xu Jing's overlapping characters in wine calligraphy directly struck my creative challenge urge, which is always simmering inside me. My friend said that it was unfortunate that calligraphy couldn't be transformed into jewelry or made into a three-dimensional form. However, converting a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional dimension is something I excel at in my gold jewelry works. Thus, the first gold bookmark was hatched. It also marked Xu Jing's initial understanding of me, realizing that gold could be used in entirely novel ways. Gradually, she also came to appreciate the "unrestrained" style of my gold jewelry designs. - 我们的第一次“合作”是在会面之前, 许静的叠字酒书直接击中了我心里那股永远在骚动的创作挑战欲. 挚友说, 可惜书法没有变为首饰的余地, 也没有生长成立体化的可能性. 而将片化转换为立体维度来实现, 正是我在我的金饰作品中最为擅长的. 于是, 第一枚黄金书签孵化成型. 它也成就了许静对我最初步的认知, 对黄金可以用完全不同以往的方式使用有所了解, 继而也慢慢体会到了我金饰作品设计风格的“肆无忌惮”.
Mutual recognition, respect, and appreciation are what attracted us to "entwine" together, and this beginning was a firm and instant match, without hesitation. Calligraphy is both familiar and unfamiliar to me. The basic skills of calligraphy are something that an outsider like me cannot fully learn or understand. However, during the process of our entwinement, Xu Jing gradually guided me into it, bypassing the techniques and rules that I didn't understand, and allowing me to directly comprehend the "spirit" through her writing process, observing the flow of brushstrokes and the control of force. And while she was writing, I was mentally completing the design process. The two magnetic fields of movement and stillness intertwined simultaneously, completing the creation together. When we discussed how to write to make it easier to realize in gold jewelry making, I said that as long as I have a clear image in my mind, I can achieve it with my hands. It sounds arrogant, but this is my pride, and there is no need to be humble about it. This is also a guarantee that Xu Jing's creations can be fully expressed. - 相互的认可、尊重与欣赏是吸引我们“缠”在一起, 所开始的源头, 而这个开始是坚定的一拍即合, 毫不犹豫. 书法于我而言是熟悉又陌生的, 书法的童子功力是我这样的外行所不能学习和完全理解的. 但在“缠”形成的过程中, 许静一步一步的把我带入其中, 跳过我所不通的技法、规矩等, 直接在她书写的过程中去理解这股“气”, 观察笔韵的流动, 和力量的控制力. 而她写的过程, 即是我在脑中完成设计的过程, 一动一静两种磁场同时纠缠在一起, 同时完成创作. 当我们在讨论, 如何书写才能在金饰制作时更容易的实现, 我说, 对于我来讲只要脑中成型, 手中既可实现. 听起来有些嚣张, 但这正是我的骄傲所在,没有必要对此谦虚. 这也是能让许静的创作可以淋漓尽致发挥的保障.
To most people, calligraphy and gold jewelry are both considered "old" and "traditional." They are not modern enough and seem to have little potential for youthfulness. And traditional Chinese characters, apart from calligraphy works, seem to have no other form of expression. However, this is precisely what we are committed to changing. Our exceptional craftsmanship is our weapon. We deeply respect tradition, but we don't want it to be confined to the past. Thus, our exhibition was born. - 在大多数人眼中, 书法和黄金首饰都是“古老”的,“传统”的, 他们都不够现代化, 更没有什么年轻化的可能性. 而中国的传统文字, 除了书法作品, 似乎也再无其他形式的体现成型. 而这, 正是我们致力于改变的目标, 足够好的手艺活儿既是我们的武器. 我们非常尊重传统, 但我们不希望只能为传统养老送终. 于是, 我们的展览孕生了.
The entwinement described this time is a very literal adjective for our exhibition. In designing the exhibition installation, my sole purpose was to intertwine our seemingly unrelated works, bringing the vividness and solidity of "ink" and the youthful solemnity of "gold" together. They echo, admire, envelope, and love each other. - 这次的“缠”对我们的展览来讲, 是个非常直译的形容词. 在展览装置设计时, 我唯一的目的, 就是要将我们各自看起来完全不相干的作品互相缠绕起来, 把“墨”生动坚固, 把“金”年轻肃穆. 相呼应、相仰望、相包裹、相爱.
Calligraphy is not stodgy, and gold is not soft. - 书法不守旧, 黄金不柔软.
People who share the same path; works that compete and elevate each other. Such entanglement should be linear, upward, and ongoing. This is our first collaboration, and I hope it is a perfect start, opening people's eyes to new perspectives on "tradition" and paving the way for our deeper explorations in the future, using ink, paper, and gold to mark this first stepping stone. - 人与人, 同道中人; 作品与作品, 较量提升. 这样的纠缠应该是线性的、向上的、持续的. 这是我们的第一次合作, 我愿这是个完美的开始, 为人们打开一些对“传统”新的认知, 为我们自今以后更加深入的探索, 用纸墨和黄金契好这第一块踏步石.
——Artist/Jia Feng - ——艺术家/冯佳
BECOME A MEMBER WITH AURUMSPEAK
《缠》- 石
《缠》- 北斗
《缠》- 酒书
《缠》- 瓷
《缠》- 心
《缠》 - 叠
《缠》- 梦
《缠》- 不朽
《缠》- 空
《缠》- 琉璃
《缠》- 意
《缠》- 身
《缠》- 天地玄黄
Images of Curating and Exhibition Setup - 策展及布展图片
My thoughts for the upcoming simultaneous exhibition in Shanghai,
Since 2003, I have been actively teaching in China at the Beijing Fashion Institute Arts and Design to organize exhibitions between different cultures, Belgium, Italy, China and Japan. - 自2003年以来，我一直在中国北京服装学院艺术与设计学院积极地教学，并组织了不同文化之间的展览，包括比利时、意大利、中国和日本。
A little later, workshops are given on request in various Chinese institutes. The intention of organizing this from my point of view was not so much to convince them that things are better in Europe , on the contrary they are just different. It is difficult to understand another culture without acceptance, respect and serious communication. - 稍后，根据需求在中国的多个不同学院开办了一些工作室。我组织这些活动的意愿，并不是为了让大家认同欧洲的东西更好，相反，只是不同而已。没有接纳、尊重和认真沟通，很难真正理解另一种文化。
In fact, I was more interested in the cultural differences, new insights into jewelry design, and surprised by their high speed and understanding in different areas. There are specific differences, but that's another long story. - 事实上，我对文化方面的差异更加感兴趣，他们对珠宝设计有新的见解，并对他们在不同领域的高度发展和理解力感到震惊。确实存在一些具体的差异，但这是另一个故事了。
Although if a Chinese student wants to study in Europe, I have given them the opportunity to put together agood portfolio and actually support them in giving useful advice. - 尽管如此，如果中国学生想要去欧洲学习，我还是给予了他们好的机会，建立一个好的联系，并在实际上给予他们支持，提供有用的建议。
I came into contact with Jia Feng, she was a student who attended several workshops with me. Workshops such as “6 Rings” in Beijing / Shunyi District “Yangman's Studio” in 2014, followed by Experimental titanium 2015, Close and Under Pressure 2016. She also participated in the workshop “Transformation 2014” at Beijing Fashion Institute Arts and Design. - 这段时间我认识了冯佳，她是一位参加了我几次工作室的学生。2014年在北京顺义区“杨曼工作室”开设的“6个戒指”工作室，2015年的实验性钛金属工作室，2016年的“密闭与压力”工作室。她还参加了2014年在北京服装学院艺术与设计学院开办的“转化”工作室。
Her energy and strong motivation stood out, also towards fellow students, ever since I first met her. But I especially admired her positive and problem-solving attitude towards difficult and controversial issues and good insights into technical problems. Her approach was genuine and of high ethical standards, distinguishing herself as a creative thinker and as a constructive team player. - 自从我第一次见到她，她的活力和强大的行动力就很引人注目，以及对其他同学们的态度。但特别让我钦佩她的是对于困难和有争议问题的积极解决态度，以及对技术问题的优秀洞察力。她待人真诚，实事求是，是一个有创造力的思考者和建设性的团队合作者。
I am happy to hear that there will be a simultaneous exhibition in Shanghai May this year. Not a normal unseen confrontation because of the major differences between the two artists. A calligrapher and jewelry designer, Jing Xu versus Jia Feng. A challenge with surprising sublime results from Jia Feng. - 听说今年五月将在上海举行一个合展，我非常高兴。书法家许静对决珠宝设计师冯佳。这绝不是一次普普通通的前所未有的对决，因为两位艺术家之间存在着巨大的差异。对于冯佳来说，这将是一次会带来令人惊叹的卓越结果的挑战。
What struck me first is that I immediately recognized Jia's jewelry, her name was unnecessary. In other words: she has clearly further developed her own identity. I also notice that her technique is secondary and not that important because it comes naturally, normal, just like walking and breathing. For this reason, she was able to concentrate on what she had to say, more purely, the essential idea of what she would like to achieve, and she succeeded with full conviction and passion. - 我最先被震惊到的是，不需要看到设计师的名字，我立刻就认出了冯佳的作品。换句话说，她显然进一步发展了自己的个人风格。我还注意到对她的作品来说，制作技术并不那么重要，她的作品非常的自然流畅，就像行走和呼吸一样，已然是生命的一部分。因此，她能够真正专注于她想要表达的东西，她想要实现的核心理念，更加的纯粹，她以充分的信念和激情成功地实现了这一点。
I always say the latter to new students: practice and work hard, believe and be yourself. Originality comes from within and not the other way around. Believe, stay true to yourself and be patient. A nice saying is; Everyone will choose their own path to climb a mountain, but when they reach the top, they will all be able to admire the same beautiful moon. - 我总是对新学生说：多加练习，努力付出，相信自己，做自己。独创性来自你自己，与其他无关。相信自己，忠于自己，保持耐心。有一句话说的很好：每个人都会选择自己攀登山峰的路径，但当他们到达山顶时，都能欣赏到同样美丽的月亮。
As for Jing Xu'soeuvre, I had a sense of Déjà vu when I sawher works. I suddenly remembered the work of Li Chi Mao, a Taiwanese artist I had met in Taipei 1991, not so much the colors or the subject matter, but rather the spontaneity, the virtuosity in the use of her brush on rice paper. Where the unwritten part is part of the total composition, the balance between black, gray and white. It is true that we (western people) cannot understand the characters of the word. - 至于许静，当我看到她的作品时，我有一种似曾相识的感觉。她令我突然想起了1991年我在台北遇到的台湾艺术家李奇茂的作品，颜色或主题并没有那么重要，重要的是她在宣纸上使用毛笔时的自由随性和精湛技巧。其中没有写出来的部分是整体构图的一部分，黑色、灰色和白色之间的平衡。确实，我们（西方人）无法理解字本身的含义。
It is more the overall image that appeals to the imagination, this is what we understand with a trained eye, I can definitely see the differences in calligraphy. Spontaneity, directness and knowing the right pressure to apply a brush. Speed and correct positioning of the image/character. - 更多的是作品的整体形象激发了想象力，这是通过我们的眼睛可以理解的，我绝对能看到书法中的差异。自由随性，直接，正确的用笔力度，下笔的速度，在纸上的完美布局。
Jing Xu shows all these distinctive qualities in her work and is an established name. - 许静在她的作品中展现了所有这些独特的品质，她也是一个知名的书法家。
Calligraphy and jewelry making/design are two completely different approaches. The spontaneity of a brush cannot be captured in material, I'm sure. - 书法和珠宝制作/设计是两种完全不同的艺术。在我看来，毛笔写出来的真实自然的感觉是无法用某种其他材料来呈现的。
Yet Jia Feng still manages to achieve this creatively in her own sublime way. For this she uses single gold that displays different shades, layers and lines through the processing. An eye for detail and control over the composition. Noteworthy is the excellent 3D object that has a double function: printing a calligraphic image. Apart from all this, she has a new item that serves as a leaf reminder, not a strange idea but clever because it is a closure that must be opened first. - 然而，冯佳仍然以自己独特的方式在珠宝中创造性地实现了这一点。她使用黄金展示不同的阴影、层次和线条。她对细节的把握和对构图的控制非常出人意料。特别值得注意的是，这个令人惊艳的的三维物体具有双重功能：打印书法形象。
Other differences between the two are undeniably the method of representation in calligraphy, the room/wall in which it is depicted is of great importance, while the jewel is not to be forgotten, worn by a person. - 两者之间的其他差异无可否认地是表现方法方面，对书法来说，展示用的房间/墙壁非常重要，而珠宝不容忽视的是，它是让人佩戴的。
I am convinced of a successful combination between the two artists, an exhibition in which the viewer can first admire the works of art up close and then from afar. Two dfferent art experiences in one exhibition. - 我相信这场由两位艺术家联袂呈现的合展一定会取得巨大的成功，观众可以先近距离欣赏每件艺术品，然后再远观整体的艺术构造。一场展览将带来两种不同的艺术体验。
Laurent-Max De Cock
Ex senior lecturer Jewelry Design Academy Antwerp
AP University of Applied Sciences Antwerp: https://www.laurent-maxdecock.com Study area Audiovisual arts and Visual arts Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp 3-dimensional design goldsmiths/jewelry.
Honorary Professor at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology Art & Design
Honorary professor at the Art & Design Academy of Nanjing University
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