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is bigger better%3F
大的更好吗？is bigger better?
There is a grey box. It stands in front of the open door.Towering either side of the box are the two two metre tall 'fu' character symbols. On the box is a stack of posters depicting 'fu'. There is a sign saying 'Please take one'.There are the people. They see the 'fu' character symbols then they see the box, then they read the sign. The people individually decide whether to take a poster or walk through the door. The decision is theirs. I stand aside to watch.Some turn around, give me an enquiring look, I nod and smile.Others take time to view the symbols, discuss with theircompanions and select a poster from the stack. Yet others walk on.Once they have selected a poster I walk towards them,introduce myself, and thank them for participating. I ask if I may take their photograph for my publication. They can decide to have their photo taken in front of either symbol and display the poster as they choose.
1000 posters, 831 selected.
Pre photography
In 2008 the focus is on China. China focuses on Beijing and the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. China is showing the world its history and contemporary culture. Beijing is changing in preparation for the Olympics and commercial future.Everywhere there is largess, especially with promotionaladvertising. Is bigger better? I ask the question, who has the answer, is it an individual perception? During the Olympics "is bigger better" offers the opportunity to engage with the traditional symbol of good fortune that is big. Will it bring more good fortune because it is big? That is an individual perception."is bigger better" has however given people the opportunity to express their individuality. 108 individuals were selected for this publication and I thank all those who participated and gave me the opportunity to express my individuality.
Denise Keele-bedford
Suo Jiacun2008 October
大的更好吗？敞开的门前面摆着一个灰色的盒子。耸立在盒子两边的是两个两米高的 '福'字。盒子上有一叠带有 '福'字的海报。有一个标示写着：请自取一份！这里有一些人。他们看到了'福'字，看到了盒子，然后注意到了标示。他们个人选择是取一份海报，还是穿过门廊。这得他们自己拿主意。我站在一边看着。有的人转过身来，探寻似地看我一眼；我点头示意，并予以微笑。其他人花时间看这些标示，与他们的同伴商量，并从海报堆中挑选一张。但是，其他的人则毫不理会，继续走开。每当有人选择取一张海报时，我就会走向他们，做个自我介绍，对他们的参与致以诚挚的谢意，并询问是否可以给他们拍照，以供我出版之用。他们可以自己选择站在两个福字之一的前面，并展示手中的海报。海报一共有1000张，其中831张被人挑走。 摄影之前2008年，中国成为焦点，举世瞩目。中国聚焦北京，聚焦第二十九届奥运会。中国向世界展示其历史和当代文化。为了奥运会及其商业未来，北京处于变化之中。到处都有赠品，尤其是推广式的广告宣传。越大越好吗？我思忖着这个问题。谁有答案呢? 亦或这取决于个人感知？在奥运会期间，'大的更好吗'这个展览提供了使用中国传统符号'福'字的契机：福意味着好运。'福'字越大，它就越能带来更多的福气吗？这是一个个人感知问题。但是，'大的更好吗'给人们一个展现自己个性的机会。我在出版物中选择使用了108个人的照片。衷心感谢这些人的参与，是他们给了我展示我本人个性的机会。德尼斯•卡尔-贝尔福于索家村2008年10月
与'福'结缘2006年夏，'青州国际艺术展'在山东青州博物馆举办，就在那次展览上，我第一次见到了来自澳大利亚墨尔本的现代艺术家德尼丝。那次展出的作品是即兴创作的，她用当地的大米现场组成'青州旅行'四个汉字，博得在场艺术家与观众的好评。后来我们又同行去潍坊参观杨家埠民间年画，我买了几张喜欢的木板年画，当时我也没有注意她买了年画没有。今年8月在北京环铁艺术区举行的首届国际汉字文化双年展上，我惊喜的看到她的木版水印新作(福)。一个红红的大“福”字，一摞厚厚的“福”字海报整齐的放在展台上，观众可以自由索取，可将复数的展品带走并为之利用或欣赏，这是现代艺术的新观念。'福'文化在中国源远流长，根基深厚。上至帝王，下至贫民百姓，都希望事事处处，年年月月有'福'。'鸿福、'巨福'、'眼福'、'福星'、'福分'、'福地'、'福气'、'福相'、'福音'、'福祉'、'福如东海'、'平安是福'、'吃亏是福'等等。到了春节，人们又把'福'字倒贴过来，示意'福到'。德尼丝可能不一定知道那么多中国的'福'，但她知道了中国人对'福'的向往与期盼的心愿。德尼丝热爱中国文化，同时她也想体验并享受中国文化。他创作与印制的近两干个'福'字，希望看到并得到'福'字的中国观众都喜欢她的同时能给他们带来好运与'福气'。每个带走'福'人，由于他们的年龄、性别、经历与地位的不一，他们每个人似乎在诠释着各自幸福的表情与别样的体验。德尼丝似乎站在“福”字的一边，她默默地在说：谢谢你们!请在此带走一份属于你的幸福吧!德尼丝的'福'是一种新的艺术观念，她在研究中国传统文化的同时，把'福'的意识与理念转换成新的艺术形式，这是德尼斯的艺术特色。但从某种意义上来说也有行为的因素。她把拥有'福'字的幸运者一一拍下他们的芳容，再编辑成册。看着他们一张张手持'红福'的喜悦面孔，我衷心祝福与'福'结缘的朋友们幸福快乐，好运多多!这也许是德尼丝创作'福'的初衷吧!我想，她自己的'福'也就在其中了!郑作良国家一级美术师、前中国美术馆收藏部主任2008年银杏黄时
幸福是平凡而琐碎的，往往藏在生活的点滴细节中。我喜欢简单而认真的生活。正是在那些细小的琐事里，我虔诚地享受着幸福的每个细节。幸福不见得是多么大的目标，历尽艰辛实现后才觉得幸福。幸福更多的是在到达彼岸的过程中好好享受沿途的风景，过程的美好往往胜过最终的结果。因为心中有爱，因为心中有希望，因为心中有信念，幸福便在每个人的心里生了根，开着美丽的花。因为爱不 曾枯竭，希望不会泯灭，如同阳光和水分滋养着幸福之 花，在你有生之年永不凋零。沈娟 Common and trivial, happiness often hides in the minute details of life.I like simple but earnest life. In the triviality of the petty matters, I enjoy with piety every little detail of happiness.Happiness does not necessarily have to be a great objective; happiness is felt only after its realization through the vicissitudes of life. Happiness lies more in appreciating the landscape along your journey in getting to the opposite shore.The process itself often outweighs the final result.Happiness takes root in the bottom of one's heart and there it blossoms beautifully because also residing in the heart are love, hope and faith. As love does not wither away and hope does not get lost, together they nourish the flower of happiness like sunshine and water, and while you live, they endure.Carol
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
小牛和德妮丝在生产过程中
Niu Xiaogang and Denise during production
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
Denise Painting at Huanghua Studio
德妮丝在黄花工作室
Forging a Bond with 'Fu' Qingzhou International Art Exhibition was held at Qingzhou Museum in Shandong in the summer of 2006. During the exhibition, I met for the first time with a contemporary Melbourne (Australia) artist: Denise. Her work was improvised and comprised four Chinese characters 'Qingzhou Lvxing' (a trip to Qingzhou), which were made of local rice. Her work was held in high esteem by participating artists and audience. Later, we traveled together to Weifang, to have a look at the folk arts at Yang Jiabu - Spring Festival paintings. I bought a few woodblock prints but failed to notice if she had bought any herself. In August this year, at the first International Chinese Characters Cultural Festival in Beijing's Huantie Art District, I was pleasantly surprised to find her new woodblock work 'Fu' (blessing, good fortune or happiness). A big red 'Fu' character, and a big pile of 'Fu' posters neatly placed on the exhibition desk, for the viewer to pick at will, to take away and to appreciate. This is a new concept in modern art.The 'Fu' culture is deeply rooted in China and has been in existence for years beyond count. From emperors down to civilians, people wish to be favoured by 'Fu' wherever they are and whatever they do. They hope that their days and years are filled with 'Fu'. Expressions associated with 'Fu' abound: hongfu (bliss), jufu (tremendous blessing), yanfu (visual pleasure), fuxing (star of blessing), fufen (good fortune), fudi (land of happiness), fuqi(bliss), fuxiang (auspicious looks), fuyin (gospel), fuzhi (happiness and benefit), furu donghai (as blessed as the East Sea is rich), pingan shifu (peace is happiness), chikui shifu (to be taken advantage of is happiness) etc.During the Spring Festival, people paste doors and walls with the character 'Fu' upside down, implying the advent of 'Fu' (Note: In Chinese, 'advent' and 'reverse' are homonymous). Denise may not know that many Chinese expressions of 'Fu' but she is aware of the Chinese's yearning for 'Fu'. Denise loves Chinese culture and wishes to experience and enjoy it. She has made and printed about 2000 characters of 'Fu', hoping that they would bring people good luck and fortune, when they are taken away. As the takers of the posters vary in age, gender, life experience and social status, they seem to display their respective happy facial expressions and varying impressions. Standing by one of the 'Fu' characters, Denise seems to be murmuring: Thank you! Please take your share of happiness here.Denise's 'Fu' is a new art concept. While studying traditional Chinese culture, she transformed the notion and conception of 'Fu' into a new art form. That is the characteristic of her art. But, to a certain extent, there is a behavioral element to her artwork. She took pictures of the fortunate new owners of these 'Fu' characters, and compiled them into an album. At the sight of their delightful faces, their hands each holding a red 'Fu', I sincerely hope that the friends who have forged a bond with 'Fu' will be blessed and happy. Perhaps that was Denise's motive in creating the 'Fu'. I reckon that her own 'Fu' also lies in this process. Text by Zheng Zuoliang, Grade-one Artist of China, former director of the Department of Collections, China National Art Gallery Written at a time when gingko leaves are yellow.福
大的更好吗？is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？
is bigger better?
大的更好吗？is bigger better?
There is a grey box. It stands in front of the open door.Towering either side of the box are the two two metre tall 'fu' character symbols. On the box is a stack of posters depicting 'fu'. There is a sign saying 'Please take one'.There are the people. They see the 'fu' character symbols then they see the box, then they read the sign. The people individually decide whether to take a poster or walk through the door. The decision is theirs. I stand aside to watch.Some turn around, give me an enquiring look, I nod and smile.Others take time to view the symbols, discuss with theircompanions and select a poster from the stack. Yet others walk on.Once they have selected a poster I walk towards them,introduce myself, and thank them for participating. I ask if I may take their photograph for my publication. They can decide to have their photo taken in front of either symbol and display the poster as they choose.
1000 posters, 831 selected.
Pre photography
In 2008 the focus is on China. China focuses on Beijing and the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. China is showing the world its history and contemporary culture. Beijing is changing in preparation for the Olympics and commercial future.Everywhere there is largess, especially with promotionaladvertising. Is bigger better? I ask the question, who has the answer, is it an individual perception? During the Olympics "is bigger better" offers the opportunity to engage with the traditional symbol of good fortune that is big. Will it bring more good fortune because it is big? That is an individual perception."is bigger better" has however given people the opportunity to express their individuality. 108 individuals were selected for this publication and I thank all those who participated and gave me the opportunity to express my individuality.
Denise Keele-bedford
Suo Jiacun2008 October
'is bigger better?'
Published November 2008
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