Exhibition (展覽信息) :
Date: 24 Nov.-30 Dec., 2012 / 11月24日至12月30日
Venue: F3, NUA Art Museum (No.74, Beijing West Rd., Nanjing)
地點: 南京藝術學院美術館三層(南京市北京西路74號)

Opening Ceremony(開幕時間):
11:00, 24 Nov., 2012 / 11月24日11時

Organizer(主辦單位):
The 6th National Forum for education of visual communication design;
第六屆全國視覺傳達設計教育論壇
Nanjing University of the Arts, school of design;
南京藝術學院設計學院
NUA Art Museum
南京藝術學院美術館



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The word “acquaintance” was originally used to describe the kind of relationship between friends who are on nodding terms but nonetheless nurture a light affection. I hold this word in high regard. One appreciates this word’s implication of calm and generosity, as if one could discern the conflicts and maneuverings between people without being part of them. Acquaintances do not need to exchange greetings in an affected way. Since we are mainly acquaintances, why don’t we learn from the ancient Chinese, and make a slight bow with folded hands? This way we could avoid the embarrassment of holding out a hand without being able to reach its counterpart, as well as the risk of catching a virus by shaking hands.

Who says acquaintances are loners without a feeling for friendship? Orchids grow in deep valleys and give off a fragrance even without their admirers around. Acquaintances are not like pragmatic dinner-table friends who gather for a drink and a laugh and leave as soon as the banquet is over. Acquaintances are free of the vulgarity of the secular world. Rather they uphold the Wei-Jin style. It is the first barrier on the way towards real friendships. The footnote to acquaintanceship is practical experience in dealing with a wide range of human beings yet with a clear focus on real friendship, quality rather than quantity.

In the context of graphic design, I have different understandings of the word than before. For two decades I have been travelling the world, yet I have always been moving in the rather small circle of “graphic designers”. I have been plagued with many troubles in design, yet I still make a living by designing, which I completely enjoy. I thought I had grown out of my acquaintance with design, and become a fully-fledged professional. Today, when I am going through my works in preparation for my solo exhibition at Nanjing University of the Arts, I realize there are few works that I find truly satisfactory. This epiphany makes me realize that I am still just acquainted with design.

 

泛泛之交,本是用來形容人與人的關系,指那種點頭之交,平常之輩的朋友。我倒欣賞這個詞,輕輕品味後,傳達的卻是弦外的淡定豁達,仿佛可以置身於事外,又已洞察人際間的勾心鬥角各懷叵測。既是泛泛之交,見面大可不必費力寒暄,刻意找話;既是泛泛之交,不妨學作中國故人,抱拳作揖取代握手,既避免伸手卻握不到手的尷尬,又杜絕感染他人病菌的風險。

誰說泛泛之交就是無視友情,性格孤僻?芝蘭生於深谷,不以無人而不芳。泛泛之交非飯飯之交,不會有飯桌之上的酒酣耳熱,而呼嗚嗚,席散即人離的現實主義。 泛泛之交不帶凡塵俗氣,卻樹魏晉之風。泛泛之交是締結真情的第壹道關口。泛泛之交之後綴,便是閱人無數,對朋友之情寧缺毋濫的專註。

於平面設計,我對這個詞的感悟卻大有不同。20年了,來來回回東奔西走,總是遊歷在“平面設計”這個杯子般大小的圈子裏,伴隨設計的諸多煩惱,卻仍以設計為生,又以設計為樂。我自以為,已是深諳設計三味的專業者,理應早已過了與設計的泛泛之交時期。今天,在為準備南京藝術學院的個展,翻檢自己的作品時,才發現滿意的作品那麽少,猶如醍醐灌頂,令我清醒,我和設計也只是泛泛之交。