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Calligraphy-ism
is the first exhibition of its kind in Canada. The art show
and symposium bring together traditional and contemporary
works that explore the concepts and elements of Chinese calligraphy.
Works in the exhibition consist of traditional calligraphy,
conceptual calligraphic art, installation and performance.
Showcasing works by artists in Toronto and China, this event
is a multi-perspective, intercultural forum that aims to introduce
the creative approaches of Chinese calligraphy to the Canadian
art world.
In
the exhibition, works of traditional calligraphy will be shown
alongside those that defy the aesthetic, cultural and social
boundaries of the calligraphic artform and practice. While
the works by Houston Lok and William Fahn best exemplify the
essence of traditional Chinese literary culture, Sharon Cook
questions the literary function of calligraphy in her interactive
installation. Cook explores the cognitive power of words and
non-words through experimenting with the transformative states
of ice, water and ink. Through contemplating the work of an
11th Century Buddhist poet and calligrapher, Johnny Koo creates
an installation to interpret the meditative quality of calligraphy
in the 21st Century. Although David Cheung and Paul Wong's
writings may seem offensive and nonsensical, the works play
with the subversive power of calligraphic practice in public
space. Henry Ho's outdoor installation of calligraphic inscriptions
on long rolls of paper further questions the sign systems
of Chinese writing. The 14 artists bring to this exhibition
their unique interpretations of the rich tradition of calligraphy
in Chinese culture.
The
symposium aims to create an opportunity to inform and engage
the artists, scholars and audience in dialogues on the aesthetic
and philosophical concepts in Chinese calligraphy. Among the
panelists of the symposium will be Professor Jay Goulding
(York University), who will talk about the practice of calligraphy
in relations to Chinese mind and body theory; independent
scholar Dr. Lien Chao will discuss the connection between
calligraphy and abstract painting. Also at the opening, Henry
Ho and Houston Lok will collaborate on an interactive performance
based on the somatic nature of calligraphy.
Media
contact: Doris Sung, shufashu@gmail.com
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