Kintsugi – The Charm of Flaws

Glen Martin Taylor

前幾年日本「金繼」大行其道,這門源自十五世紀的修補技藝,把損壞瓷器的碎片重新黏合,再以金箔修飾裂紋,帶來別樣的器物之美。回頭過來,「金繼」的本質始終離不開「惜物」觀念,在損毀器物復又重生中的過程中獲得喜悅。然而當這門古老技藝越過海洋,來到藝術家Glen Martin Taylor的手上時,卻又得到了截然不同的理解。

Kintsugi is the midas touch of imperfection which rose to popularity in recent years. This traditional Japanese art dates back to the 15th Century, where new life is given to broken pottery items by using gold to accentuate the repaired cracks. This immaculate restoration given to broken objects manifests dedication to preservation. Fastforwarding to modern day, artist Glen Martin Taylor pays homage to this ancient craft and gives it a whole new interpretation.

Glen Martin Taylor本來是一位陶器藝術家,有天他意外認識到「金繼」這種東方的修補技藝,剛好他又懂鍍銅箔和焊接染色玻璃的技術,因此就創作出一系列以「Kintsugi」(金繼)來命名的破瓷器作品,然而作品非但沒有用金箔修復,卻用上了鐵絲網、鐵鏈、藤編,皮革和麻繩等,而甚至是利刃等非尋常物料以修補瓷器;有時甚至不是修補,只是勉強把瓷片連接起來而已。

剛才說到藝術家對「金繼」有著截然不同的理解,不僅在於他對異材質的想像力,更重要的是,每個瓷器都是他本人摔爛,並利用破洞或碎片的不規則型態,作為創作時重要素材,帶來的也許不是修復或重生的喜悅,卻能從他的作品中,感受到破壞與隨機性的美學。不知道喜歡日本「金繼」的朋友,會不會也喜歡Glen Martin Taylor版本的「金繼」呢?

Ceramics artist Glen Martin Taylor created his “Kintsugi” collection taking inspiration from Kintsugi – this unique craft from the East – together with his own welding and soldering techniques. Instead of gold, he fuses unlikely materials – from barbed wires and rusty chains, to twine threads and leather – to create his own version of “Kintsugi”. These whimsical pieces take up their original shape and, yet speak a completely different language from their past life.

Beyond his imaginative use of peculiar materials, Glen Martin Taylor may have found inspiration from each flawed fragment. Perhaps his art pieces do not evoke a sense of renewal, yet there is a certain allure from the volatility of each shatter and the randomness of each juxtaposition. Would Kintsugi enthusiasts be intrigued by his version of “Kintsugi”?

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