For those of you who are always glued to your computer and phone, do you remember the last time you picked up a pen to write? What did you write about? This year, the 34-year-old calligraphy artist Yiqiao has a very different lifestyle from all of you. She writes daily, seeing writing as naturally as breathing. I write with my hand, I write with my heart, using calligraphy and words to present the most beautiful life state and the most authentic self.
// 隨年月發芽的文字種子 //
Although exposed to calligraphy from a young age by family influence, Yiqiao believes that writing is actually a seed planted early in her heart. This seed of writing sprouted by chance with water and nutrients, and presented in calligraphic form, rather than a skill cultivated by the environment. In addition to being a form of self-expression and performance, Yiqiao sees writing as an outlet for emotions, even as a way to connect with others. “Calligraphy is a warm refuge, no matter what unpleasantness you encounter, you can find peace and a sense of security through calligraphy,” this sense of security extends to oneself and others. She ghostwrites letters for others, expressing difficult words to loved ones in writing, crossing over and connecting emotions, allowing writing to transcend the level of handwriting and touch the heart.
// 超越書法的書藝 //
“I often hear others mistakenly equate brush calligraphy with calligraphy, which is clearly a misunderstanding. Calligraphy is just the foundation. Once you master the basics of writing, you will begin to seek breakthroughs, then pursue the combination of practicality and artistry in ‘shuyi,’ as well as the philosophical and spiritually free ‘shodo.’ Describing herself as currently in the ‘break’ stage of ‘shuhari,’ Yi Qiao is in the process of establishing herself from different possibilities, enjoying the endless variations of horizontal, vertical, dots, strokes, and folds. Recently, she has fallen in love with the small regular script and calligraphy classics from the Wei and Jin dynasties, immersed in the quiet atmosphere of the two fonts, feeling healed by the fonts’ sense of detachment from the world, warm like cotton candy, filling her with positive energy.”
// 不曾存在之審美疲勞 //
Facing the same paper, pen, ink, and inkstone every day, even if you love it and are deeply immersed, aesthetic fatigue may still occur? “True beauty does not tire. If there is aesthetic fatigue, you need to reflect on whether you are stagnant.” From Yi Qiao’s perspective, aesthetics will improve with the growth of years, always examining events from a fixed angle and the same perspective, the world will always be singular, and soon boredom will arise. Integrating calligraphy into life and existence, maintaining a passion for calligraphic aesthetics, coexisting, you will understand that aesthetic fatigue is actually self-disgust, not the essence of things.
// 承傳文化過於沉重 //
Whenever it comes to inheriting calligraphy culture, Yiqiao always feels extremely heavy. “I am just a humble artist. Compared to me, there are many more people who should and are more capable of supporting cultural preservation. I just express my thoughts and feelings.” Indeed, for this 34-year-old woman in front of us, it is too heavy to talk about inheriting such a great calligraphy culture alone. Instead of an official and formal attitude, Yiqiao prefers to face it lightly, just like she chose to describe 2020 with the word “囧”. Other calligraphers may choose profound words to express, but Yiqiao chose “囧” because it looks like a person wearing a mask. Simple and direct, completely without a sense of unapproachability, this may be her alternative “inheritance” method, at least young people will not resist.
後記：
與其他被訪者的絕對配合不同，逸橋對整個訪問拍攝的細節也有著想法，更加主動提出一般被訪者都婉拒的戶外拍攝，為的就是更完美地呈現書法與人、自己共生的關係。沒有把自己困在舒適的室內影樓，寧願一個人背著一大袋文房走到室外，克服所有環境困難也要把書藝質感完美表達。逸橋對書法的愛，絕對是真愛！
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Producer: Vicky Wai
Editor: Candy Chan
Videographer: @wootwootvisual
Photographer: @mxkan_
Video Edit: @mxkan_
Designer: Tanna Cheng
Special Thanks: @cink_shan
