【文藝話匣子 Art Encounters - 何兆基 Ho Siu Kee】手工的溫度 Handmade through Time

大家好 Hello everyone. 歡迎來到香港中文大學文物館 Welcome to the Art Museum at CUHK 今天我們非常榮幸邀請到 It is our pleasure to have 中文大學藝術系何兆基先生 Mr. Ho Siu Kee from the Department of Fine Arts, CUHK 一同觀賞鑠古鑄今〈二〉展覽 to appreciate the exhibition “Golden Techniques II” 以及分享心得 and share his thoughts with us. 這次的展覽主題是金銀工藝 This exhibition revolves around gold and silver techniques. 請問何先生 Mr. Ho, 平時有沒有接觸金屬工藝 Are you familiar with metal crafts? 有沒有相關經驗呢？ Do you have any relevant experience? 我個人接觸並不多 I don’t have much experience, 不過興趣很大 but am very interested in it, 因為凡是工藝都有一些共通點 as all crafts share something in common. 無論任何物料、工種 With different materials and techniques, 透過不同工藝理解其中的共通點 similarities can still be found among diverse crafts. 即使物料廉價，譬如木或黏土 When cheap materials like wood or clay 和金銀比較 are compared with gold and silver, 物料方面可能價值相差很大 the material cost may vary. 但工匠都能專心致志 But artisans make concentrated efforts 同樣地對待不同的物料 to treat all materials equally. 我覺得這很迷人 I think it’s fascinating. 您提到自己對工藝過程興趣較大 As you enjoy art-making process more, 那會否對工具特別感興趣呢？ are you particularly interested in tools? 非常有興趣 Yes, I am very interested. 剛才說工匠的製作過程使我着迷 I'm obsessed with art-making process. 不過製作不可以單憑雙手 But our hands can't do everything. 工具，一般理解為雙手的延伸 Tools are extensions of hands: 拳頭不夠硬，要變成錘子 A hammer is harder than our fists. 指甲不夠尖，就用尖銳工具雕刻 Carving tools are sharper than fingers. 這其實可以體現工匠 This reveals artisans' efforts 怎樣透過身體嘗試改變物料 in changing materials by bodily forces 而其中發現到限制 where restrictions were met, 如何從工具或方法上補充 and compensating by tools or techniques 令自己真正能夠實現工藝 to achieve the craftsmanship. 我覺得這充分體現了人的智慧 I think this embodies human wisdom. 所以我看工具時 So, when observing tools, 更有興趣觀察背後的創造精神 I am captivated by the creativity in them. 往往創造工具比起創造成品 To me, creating tools is 對我來說更加有趣 more interesting than creating craftwork. 的確 Indeed. 一般來說在研究過程中 In research, 其實工具很難研究 tools are generally difficult to study, 因為無論出土文物 because the unearthed relics 或是存世的藝術品 or extant works of art 您所見到的是成品 are all final products. 工具若鐵製就容易生鏽 Tools made of iron are prone to rust, 或因未受重視而沒有流傳下來 or vanish if not valued. 所以工具方面的研究 Therefore, research on tools 也是我們非常關心的一個題目 is a matter of great concern to us. 我想到很有趣的一點 I have an interesting thought. 現今社會經常討論機械化製作 Nowadays we often discuss mechanisation. 其實機械化都會使用工具 In fact, mechanisation involves tools too. 兩者有何不同呢？ What's the difference between the two? 機械化製作當然能提高產量 Machines can no doubt boost productivity, 亦能提高生產效率 as well as production efficiency. 對滿足日常生活需要而言 In satisfying everyday needs, 確實有很大幫助 they really help a lot. 不過正如我們剛才所說 But as we've said, 現代化生產強調效率或經濟效益 will the stress on productivity or cost efficiency 會否反而阻礙工藝發展呢？ hinder crafts development in modern time? 傳統工藝製作精美 Traditional crafts are exquisite. 可能基於宗教，製作宗教器物 Some are created for religion, 或者基於王權，為皇室服務 and some for royalty. 這類產品可以不計成本 These crafts are produced regardless of cost, 所以才能花長時間 thus much time can be spent 在高超工藝上 on the superb craftsmanship. 現代化生產或許可滿足生活需要 Modernised crafts may meet daily needs. 但這類要求高且不計成本的製作 But the high-quality and cost-disregarded works 可能就用另一種形式出現 may appear in other ways 譬如昂貴的消費品、奢侈品 like expensive consumer or luxury goods. 用這方式可延續工藝發展 This helps the growth of craftsmanship. 這當然有好有壞 Of course, this is double-edged. 因為這始終是奢侈品 Those are after all luxuries. 纔能夠令這些工藝流傳下去 Crafts can be passed on 畢竟有需要 as the demand is always there. 但另一方面可能亦都和日常生活 However, this may estrange 或者一般人的生活愈來愈遠 ordinary people from the crafts. 如果利用傳統工藝製作器物 If traditional crafts are used in production 去滿足生活需要 to meet the needs in daily life, 這方面似乎仍有困難 there may still be some difficulties. 聽說您做了一個項目 I heard that you have organised a project 名叫「手作確幸」 called "Handmade Wellbeing". 想問您為何會舉辦這項目呢？ Why did you organise this project? 希望藉此研究和表達什麼呢？ What do you want to study and express? 我覺得現今中學生或年青人 Secondary students or the youth of today 其實接觸工藝的機會不多 do not have many chances to learn crafts. 就中學而言，視藝課程內容 It seems that the visual arts curriculum in secondary schools 似乎並不強調工藝的重要性 does not place emphasis on craftsmanship. 我覺得這有點可惜 It's a pity in my view. 因為工藝除了學習技術之外 Apart from equipping youngsters with techniques, 我覺得對年青人而言 I think craftsmanship can develop 可以培養譬如專注的能力 their abilities like powers of concentration 因為做工藝時要很專注 as staying focused is very important. 或者對物料的深層理解 They can also learn about materials: 如何透過物料認識物質世界 How to understand the material world 或者周圍的人和事 or people and things around them. 我覺得工藝教育其實很有意思 I think craft education is very meaningful. 構思工藝教育也強調這點 When making craft education plans, we also hope 一方面讓同學瞭解傳統工藝文化 students can learn about traditional crafts and cultures, 而且要理解若在當代應用 and know how the techniques change 製作會有何變化 if applied nowadays. 無論是製作方法或所需器物 Production methods, tools 滿足什麼需要 and the aims of crafting 可能都要因應當代環境轉變 may need to be adapted for the changing world. 何先生帶出了重要資訊 Mr. Ho brought out key points today. 即使進行當代創作 When doing contemporary works, 回顧古代文物或可吸收不少養分 one can still learn from the ancient artefacts 幫助不少 which may bolster art creation. 所以大家如果有機會 So if you have time, 都可來文物館參觀這金工展覽 come and visit the Art Museum’s exhibition.