The HKUST Lee Shau Kee Library and Publishing Technology Center jointly present

Handmade | Digital
East | West
Old | New
Energy | Stillness
Simplicity | Complexity
Control | Spontaneity
·
Calligraphy is not just about the art of writing
Nor is it just about beautiful writing

When we write, we give birth to each stroke
And each stroke has a life and a path that are unique to itself

Despite its abstract qualities, calligraphy is not an abstract form
Despite its stillness, calligraphy is a dynamic entity

It is closely related to the forces of nature
And the energies of the human being

It is about harmony,
The balance of life itself
·

My feet are flat on the ground, my back is erect, my heart and mind are open — I breathe, and sense the energy flowing through my veins, feeling it in my heart, travelling through my mind and into my hand. As the pen touches the paper — I am totally connected.

The ink and my energy are inter-mingled; the two entities are inseparable, they are working in unison, a unity — and out it pours!

Calligraphy to me is like drawing with lines. I move the linear elements along the page and compose them intuitively. Calligraphy is also a process of capturing the essence of the line — it is an expression of life and beyond. In Chinese, they call this phenomenon ‘qi yun sheng dong’ (氣韻生動) — the rhythmic vitality and spirit of the line.

One could try and intellectualise this process but it feels pointless at times. It is the unforced but intuitive manner in which we draw or write that creates the instantaneous mark. It is as natural as breathing.

“Just as writing can become calligraphy when it’s creatively, skilfully,
and consciously performed, so can all other activities become art.
In this case, we are reflecting upon life itself as an artistic statement—
the art of living.”

—H.E. Davey, Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation

Dr Manny Ling

Officiating Guests

Dr Steven Ng, Acting Campus Director, University of Sunderland in Hong Kong
Mr Francis Chiang, Regional Director (East Region), University of Sunderland
Dr Manny Ling, Artist
Prof Wei Shyy, Acting President, HKUST
Ms Diana Chan, University Librarian, HKUST
Mr Thomas Ng, Director of Publishing Technology Center, HKUST

Gallery Tour

Date:    12 April 2018 (Thu)
Time:    12:30 – 2:00 pm
Venue:    Ping Yuan and Kinmay W Tang Gallery, Lee Shau Kee Library
Presenter:    Dr Manny Ling
Language:    English
Registration:    https://lbcube.ust.hk/ce/index.php/event/5440/

This talk and demonstration session aims at enhancing participants’ understanding of, and interest in, western calligraphy through an insight into the development of the artist’s works. The artist will also demonstrate the use of Tilt Brush in VR environments to create calligraphic works.

HKUST students may attain 1.5 hours credit for the HLTH1010 Healthy Lifestyle Course after attending the talk and demonstration.

Contents

• An overview of the artist works
• Sharing of the artist’s experience
• Demonstration of using Tilt Brush to create calligraphy with virtual reality
• Q & A

Feedback from participants / 活動迴響

• I thought it was really interesting and I was very glad listening to the speaker speak so passionately about his calligraphy
• to appreciate western calligraphy
• Passion is crucial for achieving success
• Know the rules before you break the rules
• the approach of how artist thinks and creates practically
• 对西方现代书法有了更多了解
• to appreciate the spirit and effort behind the beautiful western calligraphy
• 如何欣賞書法作品

Workshop on Calligraphy with the Folded Pen

Date:    13 April 2018 (Fri)
Time:    12:00 – 2:00 pm
Venue:    Multi-function Room, LG4, Lee Shau Kee Library
Presenter:    Dr Manny Ling
Language:    English
Registration:    https://lbcube.ust.hk/ce/index.php/event/5438/ 

In this workshop participants will make their own calligraphy pens using cut out sheets of aluminium from soft drinks cans. The design of the nib allows the creation of a variety of marks. You will be taught systematically how to write a variety of scripts. You will have opportunities to create calligraphic letters of your own.

HKUST students may attain 2 hours credit for the HLTH1010 Healthy Lifestyle Course after attending the workshop.

Remarks:
This Workshop is jointly organized by the HKUST Library, Center for Education Innovation, and Center for the Arts.

Feedback from participants

• I also like the part on making the pen myself so that I could do it next time. The activity is very engaging too
• Too short of the session, but the overall organization of the event was very good
• The fact that a calligraphy pen can be created using recycled cans
• Reuse things in a surprising way
  與他人合作
• You can make calligraphy writing tools out of anything
• using the folded pen to have the calligraphy and the own design of the word
• innovations n creatitivity
• There isn’t an ideal format of calligraphy, it’s about how you express your feelings on the words you write
• Simple way to start calligraphy without much investment (not much stationary r
• quired)
  Have hands on experience about calligraphy. Learn to express by hand writing