Page 43 - 第19屆大墩美展專輯電子書

Juror’s Statement, Craf ts Category WEI Yen-Shun

"Crafting" means directly using your hands to manipulate materials to produce an item that should be both practical and artistic. "Manipulate"
here refers to the clever techniques used during this process. If the artist chooses to work with natural materials such as metal, clay or bamboo, then Da Dun Prize
the required processing methods have not changed much. However, due to the rapid progress of modern science and technology, new materials such
as plastic and tools have been developed. Modern machinery is also easier to operate and control, and includes anodic processing machines for metal
and gas ovens for clay and porcelain. All of these present new possibilities for modern craft design and manufacturing.
The creation and aesthetics of modern crafts should include the following four categories: appropriate materials, precise technique, profound ▲
artistry, and unique innovations. 類
1) Appropriate Materials: First, the artist should be able to work with various materials. They should not only know how to work with the
textures of traditional natural and manmade materials, but also expand their knowledge of the possibilities and limitations of these materials. These
are basic techniques and art appreciation requirements. Second, the artist should be able to feel and respond to the material on a spiritual and mental
level, and to understand its essence, plasticity, and the aesthetics which come from the interaction between material and individual audience member. Sculpture First Prize
By realizing all that belongs to the interactive level of the senses and emotion, the artist can use the material precisely in modern craft design and
manufacturing. Long-term accumulated experience concerning the usage and knowledge of different materials can inspire additional multi-media
designs, and broaden the structure and appreciation methods of material aesthetics.
2) Precise Technique: Crafting shows that the skills and artistic background of an artist have to be cultivated over a long period of time. In
other words, to craft means to manipulate materials with existing skills, and it is considered a process completed through the coordination between
the hands and brain. Additional changes and selections are included to explore the artistry and value of the entire process and ensure it is professional
work.
3) Profound Artistry: In the past, crafts were made to help make people's lives easier. Nowadays, crafts are the combined result of humans, life

and thought. The creation of modern crafts floats on the essence of art, and therefore the act of creation can be divided into three aspects: imitation
(to seek the innate rhythms for the objective world for truth), creation (to seek the subjective goal of human beings for kindness), and symbolism

(to realize the symbolism of art's essential strength of beauty). The artist's act of creation, done through free will and with a goal in mind, can reflect
the rhythm of artistic concepts. The soul is expressed through emotional symbols transformed by imagery in the objective world. The symbols of
creation and presentation are uncertain, diverse, non-patterned and ironic, while the symbolized imagery evokes identification, selection, localization,

independence, and discussions on the meaning of essence.
4) Unique Innovations: Modern crafts encourage creativity. Exposed to diverse cultures, new designers and artists understand creativity is not
only about skills, but a philosophical wonderland where "I think, therefore I can make unique innovations". The essence of creativity exists in the
accumulation of learning, depth of knowledge, living experiences, and the understanding of life. Creativity begins with thought and documentation,
so when an artist turns creativity into an attitude of thought, a habit of documentation, and a style of life, the very moment when inspiration gives
birth to creativity is a moment of unique innovation. And this is how new ideas create different artworks and presentations with fashion, culture and
coolness.
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There were 69 entries for the crafts category of the 19 Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City. Among them, three entries were from
abroad-two from Malaysia and one from the United States. The preliminary and final reviews were conducted by five professional judges. Entries

were judged according to the four categories: appropriate materials, precise technique, profound artistry, and unique innovations. The first, second and

third prizes, two Awards of Merit and six shortlisted entries were finally chosen, as per exhibition rules. It was unfortunate that we could not award
more entries.
This year's entries were made of various materials, including stone, porcelain, metal, lacquer and mixed media. All artists understood the traits
of their materials well and displayed excellent crafting skills, and therefore were able to leverage the dialectic between symbolism and imagery of
creation and presentation, and produce pieces with profound artistry and meaning. This year, we see the quality of works has begun to increase in
terms of sentimental spirit as mentioned in aesthetics-the ability to move, to evoke sentiment and feelings. The works are fashionable mobile arts
and sculptures which provide a mental connection to the audience, and can inspire classic, delicate, innovative and beautiful crafts in the future.
Hopefully, more artists working with different materials can participate in the future, so that we can see more diverse modern craft pieces in the
exhibition, and also enhance public aesthetics and appreciation for craft arts.

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