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台中市長序
文化局長序
策展人序 
學者序 |
 A Date with Rodin in
Taichung
Modern Art Gallery which
has been fervently promoting art of classic stature in recent years
had organized several large scale international traveling
exhibitions in China and around Asia, such as: “Impressions of
France – Works by Renoir & Guino”, and “:Listen to the Universe – A
Teh-Chun Chu Retrospective” and
they had all garnered attention of the press from around the globe.
Many friends of the arts who had viewed the exhibitions all
expressed the wish to see the exhibitions returned to Taiwan. Mayor
Jason Hu was very much in favor of private businesses and
enterprises sponsoring international exhibitions, like the Renoir
Exhibition. He showed his support by making personal appearances at
Modern Art Gallery several times. The rich and unique exhibitions
were well received by the public. Mayor Hu believes that private
sectors and public agencies should pool their limited resource and
collaborate together on promoting art which ultimately benefits the
public, and turns Taichung into a true capital of Cultural Art. In
addition, during “Impressions of France
– Works by Renoir & Guino”,
Mayor Hu effectively exercised his influences and gathered various
media outlets from around Taiwan to get the words out. Thus the 2007
Asia traveling exhibition of Rodin will be organized by Taichung
City Cultural Bureau, and planned by Modern Art Gallery, displaying
artworks by world-class sculptor, Auguste Rodin.
In the long history of
Western art, Rodin is considered to be a world-class master. He has
a museum devoted exclusively to his works. He blended the artistic
essence of master Michelangelo into his own work, and he never
seized to innovate to create something original always breaking new
grounds. Although his one foot stayed in the garden of Classicism,
his other foot had already crossed the doorstep of contemporary art.
It could be simply summed up like this: Rodin honed his skills and
matured in Classicism, in turns, opened the door of contemporary
sculpture for others. Almost all of his sculptures are memorable,
destined to last for generations, like The Bronze Age, The
Thinker, The Gates of Hell, The Kiss and etc.
The Rodin Exhibition will
be held at the former Municipal Office, whose outer appearance is
reminiscent of the classical architecture of 19th century
Europe. The 13th century Louis XIII style stone building
meshes well with the style of Hotel Biron, Rodin’s private
residence. Hotel Biron was more than just his home. It was also a
showroom for his art, and his studio. His home wasn’t very big but
it always managed to attract a wide variety of people, his friends,
artists, famous people, and people of high society. Hopefully, this
exhibition will attract the best of the best, as Hotel Biron once
had by injecting new energy and start a rebirth of the old town
center. We hope this revolution of re-adapting older buildings for
new contemporary uses will soon give off some sparks.
Rodin’s sculptures weren’t
entirely rooted in Romanticism, or Naturalism, or Impressionism. He
was able to impact the viewers with his sculptures by almost
perfectly capturing that one moment or experience in life that
everyone can relate to. Through his extensive knowledge of the human
anatomy and his ability to make acute observations, he was able to
express passion, energy, and feelings that normal artists would shy
away from. With changes in detail, original poses, daring movements,
and his treatment of unfinished fragments, Rodin created vigor and
tension. Skillful manipulation of uneven surfaces to accentuate the
strong contrast was a principal of Expressionism; he no longer
insisted on having similar appearances, in return, he imparted
symbolic meanings. The Thinker and The Monument of Balzac
are two such memorable pieces that leave indelible impressions upon
the viewers. The Gates of Hell consumed all Rodin had
to offer and it still wasn’t finished by the time of this death. He
was able to translate the wild imagination and novelty of nature
which Dante depicted in his Divine Comedy into a work filled
with alluring beauty, touching emotions and mournful sorrows. His
perceptions of light and dark were so delicate and insightful that
he allowed us to witness how unmerciful Hell is –as if making us
realize how glorious Heaven could be.
With his own unique flair
and style, Rodin carved out a niche for himself in the 19th
century art world. In the 20th century, his influences
are evident worldwide, and his works have been shown in various
traveling exhibits. We are surprised to find that many of his works
and creations convey the quality of being eternal, tenacious,
intimate, sensuous and yet masculine. Awhile ago, the nationwide
Praying for Mrs. Mayor was started. Mayor Hu, evoked Love Prayer and
Vitality when he broke away from tradition and demonstrated his love
and compassion. Rodin’s work says it all. The entrance of the
Municipal Office will be framed by The Gates of Hell, and the
theme in the vestibule will be Love. Having Love, Prayer, and
Vitality as the main theme, this exhibition is different than other
international exhibitions of Rodin’s works. Mayor Hu’s image of
being a passionate, humorous, energetic and innovative person, and
the adoration and love he has for his wife are epitomized by Rodin’s
famous sculpture, The Kiss. Let’s hope that Taichung will
become the place that people and arts come together, and the city
will always be filled with love.
Modern Art Gallery
Li-Jen Shin
RODIN IN TAICHUNG 2007.9.22-12.22
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