當代藝術有一個任務，就是企圖跳脫過去藝術分類的方式，返回生活，回到藝術的原初，回到一切正在發生、形成，無法歸類和命名的本源，再重新出發，重新看這個世界。無論是傳統與現代、工藝與設計、純藝術與應用藝術之間，經過創作者的努力，打破疆界、去除分類之後，和平寧靜之際，新的作品，就是新時代的精神。在古早智慧的引導下，反身翻轉，代表新的開始以及未來的可能性，而結果是令人驚豔的。

時尚、生活美學、傳統技藝一向被斥為非藝術品，但近年來卻是歐美各大美術館展覽的新趨勢，這說明了觀念的流變以及當代手法的無限可能性。本展覽的藝術家或設計者、工藝師，在傳統與現代之間來來回回地省思與手作，在讚嘆與驚覺之中，整合新的知識，並且成為時代的象徵。

本展覽所邀請的香港藝術家有張國威、張美儀、傅織女、李冠然、盧聲前。他們在玩一個懷舊的民間遊戲：他們回顧生活中的傳統老件，思考人生，並向老師傅學藝。老師傅不但成為他們創作上的繆思，更引導他們跳脫框架，重新審視自己，感受手作，感受自己。有些作品觀眾需要仔細觀察才會發現其中的細節，從而獲得一種「快樂的發現」，例如陶瓷、廢五金如何運用在時尚表現、陰陽五行元素俱全的衣服如何可能，同時觀眾也可以發現剪刀石頭布的遊戲在藝術中無所不在。

臺灣藝術家有楊偉林、賴純純、康雅筑、林淑鈴、陳宗萍、高勝忠、范承宗、嘎瑪魯岸、舒米．如妮等，他們在進行類似「螺旋運動」的行為，不斷往中心鑽研並且擴散，這個中心就是臺灣遠古文化，以及對臺灣土地的熱愛與幻想，他們樂在其中，如此而有更強大的創作活力。觀眾可以看到來自史前博物館古物的靈感以及它的華麗轉身、臺灣花布的現代設計、臺灣藍染的新魅力、青春島嶼的興起，以及古早漁筌器皿的建築化等等，令人驚喜。

本展覽除了表現創新作品所帶來的魅力，打破藝術、設計、工藝的分類再重新出發，同時也讓觀眾感染到藝術創作者，永遠保持活躍的心靈與創作的喜悅，而且正自信地移動中。


The Charismatic Rebirth of Yore

In contemporary art, one of the goals is to break free from previous categorization of art and return to life, the origin of art, and the original state when everything is happening, forming and defying classification and naming; it is an attempt to re-start and re-perceive this world from a new perspective. Between tradition and modernity, craft and design as well as fine art and applied arts, a creator must undergo a struggling process of categorization to shatter the boundary before everything can settle down and usher in new forms of artworks that represent the spirit of a new era. Seeking the guiding wisdom from the days of yore and putting it through a transformative make-over, the results will not only suggest a new beginning and possibilities for the future, but can also be quite remarkable.

Fashion, lifestyle esthetics, traditional skills are used to be considered as craft, however, they brought up a new trend in major art museums in occident recent years. This phenomenon explains the variations of concepts and unlimited possibilities of contemporary art. In this exhibition, artists, designers and craftsmen have incorporated new knowledge and created works characteristic of our time through a process of self-contemplation and handcraft, a process filled with wonders and surprises.

This exhibition features several Hong Kong artists, including Koyo William Cheung, Meiyi Cheung, Tricia Flanagan, Kenny Li and Singchin Lo, who have been conducting a nostalgic folk game. After contemplating on life, they have drawn inspiration from traditional, old objects found in daily life, and found elder craftsmen to learn their skills. These masters have not only become their creative muses but also guided them to think outside the box, re-evaluate themselves, and genuinely perceive the hand-making process and the self. Some of these works need to be observed closely to see the exquisite details, which offer the “joy of making discoveries.” For instance, one may find out how porcelain and scrap metal have been used in fashion design, how the concept of yin and yang as well as the five fundamental elements have been incorporated into clothing, and how the game of “rock-paper-scissors” has been integrated into different aspects of art.

Taiwanese artists featured in this exhibition include Wei-Lin Yang, Jun T. Lai, Ya-Chu Kang, Shu-Ling Lin, Zong-Ping Chen, Andre Kao and Cheng-Tsung Feng, Makota'ay. These artists have been conducting an art action that creates a spiraling force while rippling out its impact. At the center of this spiral is their passion and fantasies about the Taiwanese prehistoric culture and the land of Taiwan. The artists have immersed and enjoyed themselves in this project, which reciprocates them with tremendous creative energy. Therefore, in this exhibition, audience will find creatively surprising artworks inspired by and transformed from antiques in National Museum of Prehistory, modern designs of Taiwanese floral textile, the innovative charm of Taiwanese indigo dye, the rise of young generations on this island, and architecture inspired by ancient fish traps and utensils.

This exhibition displays the charisma of innovative artworks, providing a new beginning through redefining the classification of art, design and craft. At the same time, audiences can feel the artists’ forever active minds and creative joy, which demonstrate their confidence in the ever-changing artistic creation.