Past exhibition

Introduction

Special Exhibition/ S203

Floral Art for Pleasure–Appreciation of Flower Vessels and Lifestyle

Floriculture, as a lifestyle art, has endured since ancient times. People used various materials to make vessels for the cultivation of flowers. Flowers are also Vitamin F of life because they have super powers that can do wonders to your body, mind and soul. As time passed by, the beautiful flowers fade, but the containers have remained to be appreciated by future generations. In addition to the pleasure of floriculture and appreciation of flower containers, the chosen vessels and the ways of floral arrangement are also the embodiment of personal ideals and lifestyle. This exhibition is entitled "Floral Art for Pleasure" to reiterate the classical affinity of enthusiasts and flowers.

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, floriculture and the appreciation of floral containers flourished in China. During this time, archaic vessels were greatly used by flower lovers as floral containers because they evoked classical memories of the ancestors. Another trend encouraged artisans to create original floral containers that catered to elegant, fashionable or luxurious tastes, revealing an alternative thinking among the literati. Especially in the Qing dynasty, flowers have always been embedded with wealth and auspicious connotations, and the selection of matching floral containers not only enhanced those but made a space full of delight.

In Taiwan, early flower vessels were a blend of local craftsmanship with the Chinese and Japanese traditions of floral art, which resulted in unique characteristics. Such distinctive development is also featured in this exhibition for the audience to better understand the splendor of local flower vessels.

The exhibition is comprehensively divided into four themes – "Antiquities: Classical Simplicity," "Novelties: Trendy Brilliance," " Charms: Embodiment of Good fortune," and " Heirlooms: Lifestyle of Qur Grannies." We are able to connect with the ancients by understanding their choices of flower vessels, and explore the literati's exquisite and subtle mindscape. At the same time, we hope that the visitors can gather memories of this exhibition to build a lovely environment back home. In addition, a zen-inspired surreal garden created with multimedia will lead the audience into the fantasy world of flower vessels, where they can experience the fantastic fusion of technology and art.

Antiquities: Classical Simplicity

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the quest for antiquities flourished among the literati. They regarded the bronzes and jade objects from the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, ceramics from the 16th century and before, as well as flower vessels in ancient prototypes were unembellished, which refine one’s temperament. In this regard, antique vessels were preferred choice for flower containers. Some of them have long been used for this purpose, while some were originally ritual objects or utensils for daily use. Craftsmen added inner liner, customized wooden stands, or reinforced the base for use as flower vessels. Literati regarded flowers as their guests and friends, and ardorned their residences and studios with enchanting aesthetic objects that reflect their tranquil life philosophy.

Novelties: Trendy Brilliance

When the popularity of antiquities reached its peak, the quest turned to create flower vessels with new and extraordinary forms, colors and motifs became an inevitable trend. At this time florists were skilled at creating trendy atmosphere by matching colorful and enchanting flowers with novel vessels. The ability to appreciate such trend was not only a sign of one’s unique taste and unquenched curiosity, but also a way to cultivate one’s vibrant spirit. These fashionable products included new shapes and patterns, the combination of traditional forms and trendy styles of glazing, and modern creations inspired by foreign flower vessels.

Charms: Embodiment of Good Fortune

The pursuit of wealth and good fortune is a common aspiration of human beings. During festive seasons, people often try to decorate their halls and rooms in order to create a magnificent, wealthy, auspicious, and imposing ambience. Flower vessels with auspicious meanings were chosen to reinforce the happiness and grandeur of these festivals, matching with flowers of metaphorical significance symbolizing longevity, fertility and good fortune. In this respect, flower vessels resembling auspicious objects such as pomegranates, peach branches, bird-and-animal motifs as well as artificial bonsai trees made of precious metals and stones were highly regarded by contemporaries.

Heirlooms: Lifestyle of Our Grannies

Most of the early flower vessels in Taiwan were ceramics from Fujian and Guangdong provinces in China. They were mainly used for offering flowers and planting bonsai. During the Japanese reign, Japanese-style flower vessels and aesthetics spread with the introduction of Ikebana to Taiwan. In the meantime, growing local workshops of glass, ceramics, and bamboo art also began the production of flower vessels. Taiwan’s floral art blended the two traditions of China and Japan, transforming into another new expression, whereas the flower vessels present a unique Taiwanese taste. The vessels displayed in this section may resemble those hidden in our home cabinets and drawers for a long time. You might want to take them out and arrange some flowers or a branch to re-connect with the elegant lifestyle from Qur Grannies’ generation.

Plum Blossoms in Moonlight

Upon passing through the curtains, a surreal plum field combining ancient landscape painting and digital art comes into view. In “Plum Blossoms in Moonlight”, trees, flowers, slopes, streams and small animals appear randomly. At the center of the room, a pool of water is bathed in moonlight. Try to touch the surface of the water with your hands! The installation will generate an artifact and text such as "Tranquil cultivation" or "Lovely and refined" based on the ripples produced by each individual. Then, look up at the space surrounding you and the images inspired by the artifacts. Take a moment to immerse in the unique atmosphere that you have created. The projections are continuously being generated by algorithms, making each moment in the room unique. The installation invites you to linger in the digital world of infinite flowers and to enjoy the artifact-inspired fantasy land co-created by each visitor.