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The
beginning of a new concept - the systematic practice of Tai
Chi Calligraphy
The Origin
Since
I was a child, I practiced calligraphy at the demand of my father.
Now, after years of working in various fields in visual arts,
I have come to realize that the practice of calligraphy is indeed
a very rich and profound art form. After immigrating to Canada
in the late 1980s, I spent four years copying and learning all
Chinese calligraphic styles from the inscription on oracle bones
to modern calligraphy. The experience felt as though I was completely
immersed in the essence and spirit of the 5000 years of Chinese
culture. It is difficult to put this experience in words. Feeling
the inadequacy of self-learning, I was fortunate to come under
the tutelage of Mr. Lin Qianshi. It was Mr. Lin who inspired
me to use the language of contemporary art to express the essence
of calligraphy. Martial arts is another great interest of mine
since childhood. I learned different kinds of martial arts including
boxing, Mongolian style wrestling, Liuhe bafa and Yichuan in
my youth. When I was seventeen, I was asked to learn Wu-style
Tai Chi with my father in the hope that the practice would help
improve his health. After immigrating to Canada, I wanted to
rekindle this interest in my life. In the mid-1990s, I was taught
by the great masters Liang Baoshen and Liang Jianxiong at the
Jihong Tai Chi School. The school principal Luo Hongyuan also
has an enormous influence on my understanding of the theory
and movements of the practice. I am still practicing pushing
hands to enhance my understanding of the Tai Chi system developed
by Master Luo.
In the early
1990s, my friend Xu Chaoying (Director of China Alliance Press
& Christian Publishing) came to Canada for a visit. One day,
we were improvising with calligraphic writings. I decided to
write a few large characters using the movements of Tai Chi.
Chaoying called this creative form "Tai Chi Calligraphy." Ever
since then, I have been playfully experimenting with this art
form while continuing to conduct further research on both the
practices of calligraphy and Tai Chi. I have come to realize
that although these two practices were different in their forms
of expression, there are a lot of commonalities and complementary
qualities between their respective sets of theories. When I
create calligraphic works (especially large-format characters),
it becomes natural for me to incorporate Tai Chi movements in
the ways I wield the brush. At the same time, when I practice
Tai Chi, I naturally combine brush-wielding techniques into
my Tai Chi movements. These experiences coalesced into what
I called a "somatic art form." This practice does not only enhance
my understandings of both practices of Tai Chi and calligraphy,
it also helps to cultivate the body and the spirit.
Intention
If we want to
expand the practice of this "somatic art form," we need to develop
a systematic and standardized method for the practice. Accuracy
in both the intention and the understanding of each step is
crucial in order to attain the harmony between calligraphic
strokes and Tai Chi movements. The development of this systematic
method requires a lot of energy and resources. For me, Tai Chi
Calligraphy has surpassed its capacity as a creative art form,
it is also a practice that serves a social and cultural function.
The ultimate objective of practicing Tai Chi Calligraphy is
to achieve harmony with nature. Since the system itself is developed
according to the laws of nature, each step of the practice is
an expression of the harmony between nature and human. It is
my aim to put forward Tai Chi Calligraphy as an artistic form,
as well as a way for the practitioners to achieve balance between
the mind and the body, which will potentially benefit various
aspects of their life.
The nature
of Tai Chi Calligraphy
The Tai Chi
Calligraphy practice is a diverse concept of art. The following
are the defining characteristics of the practice.
1) Continuity
Activities of
the practice of Tai Chi Calligraphy continue beyond one or a
few exhibitions. It will also be consistently renewed and adapted
to changes in social and cultural circumstances.
2) Community
Courses on Tai
Chi Calligraphy are offered with the collaboration of different
community organizations. One of the objectives of the courses
is to introduce the practice to members of various groups. Through
creating Tai Chi Calligraphy, students learn to create works
of art while cultivating the body and the mind. Calligraphy
and Tai Chi embody the essence of Chinese culture. Through the
practice, students are able to learn both arts simultaneously.
3) A Discursive
Platform
Tai Chi and
Calligraphy are two profound systems of knowledge. Practitioners
in both fields are welcome to contribute to the further development
of Tai Chi Calligraphy practice.
4) Freedom of
Creation
Although practitioners
of Tai Chi Calligraphy are required to follow a set of training
methods, they are encouraged to freely express their ideas and
emotions in their calligraphic works.
5) Standardization
Tai Chi Calligraphy
is a systematic practice, it has clear objectives, principles
and standards. For example, the quality of brushstrokes could
reflect a practitioner's concentration and accuracy of the movements.
Brush wielding techniques are measured against the principles
of Tai Chi. Resulting calligraphic works are also expressions
of the essence of Tai Chi.
Conclusion
The Tai Chi
Calligraphy practice is an ultimate integration of Tai Chi and
Chinese calligraphy. It is a systematic training method with
the goal to achieve harmony of the mind and the body. After
years of developing and practicing this system, it is my aim
to disseminate and share my experience with those who are interested
in learning this new creative and martial art form. This exhibition
is only the beginning.
Henry Ho Toronto
May 3, 2010
Translated from
Chinese by Doris Sung
Artist's
statement in Chinese >
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