The calligraphy of Tong Yang-tze (董陽孜) is known for its expressiveness and movement, with vivid brushstrokes that seem to dance across the paper. Silent Symphony, Musical Calligraphy (無聲的樂章．有聲的書法), an exhibition showing at Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914) through Dec. 10, pays tribute to Tong’s work. In addition to 100 of her pieces, an interactive art installation by pop-rock band Mayday (五月天) vocalist Ashin (阿信, real name Chen Hsin-hung, 陳信宏) is meant to help younger viewers appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese calligraphy.
Born in Shanghai in 1942, Tong began studying calligraphy when she was just 8 years old. She received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her work is known for blending Western aesthetics with traditional calligraphy forms and techniques.
Ashin’s collaboration with Tong represents a return to his creative roots. Before becoming a musician, he studied art and earned a degree in interior design from Shih Chien University (實踐大學). Called Musical Calligraphy, the multimedia installation features an enclosure made of glass. Once inside, viewers hear a song written by Ashin as the lyrics appear in the form of an animated version of Tong’s calligraphy, highlighting the relationship between the brushstrokes and the rhythm of the music.
Photo courtesy of Trendmicro
The exhibit is accompanied by a series of discussions. Tomorrow, Demos Chiang (蔣友柏) will talk about the relationship between calligraphy and graphic design, while on Dec. 3 lyricist Vincent Fang (方文山), best known for his collaborations with Jay Chou (周杰倫), will discuss using Tong’s calligraphy as inspiration for a song. Ashin will give viewers a look into the creation of Musical Calligraphy on Dec. 10, the last day of the exhibit.
An online interactive art project overseen by Trendmicro, the exhibition’s sponsor, goes live today. The Web site, called 10,000 More (萬人墨象, www.10000more.com), gives visitors a chance to see pieces by Tong online, as well as enter a drawing to win a piece of her calligraphy.
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