趙無(wú)極(1920-2013)
25.06.86桃花源
1986年
畫(huà)布 油彩
Zao Wou-Ki
25.06.86
Painted in 1986
Oil on canvas
195×130 cm
文/陳沛岑
by Vita Chen
「早晨,當(dāng)我回到工作室,即使當(dāng)天的光線(xiàn)灰暗,地板上未完成的畫(huà)作總會(huì)讓我重拾力量,讓我拾起畫(huà)筆。如果畫(huà)布上的顏料已干,我又可以再去創(chuàng)造各式各樣的實(shí)與虛、空與滿(mǎn)。在有生之年,我愿以此表達(dá)繪畫(huà)給我不曾稍逝的喜悅···我不怕老去,也不怕死亡,我只希望能有足夠的時(shí)間,完成手上的畫(huà),要它比上一幅更大膽、更自由?!?/P>
—— 趙無(wú)極
"In the morning when I return to the studio, even if the light that day is gloomy, the unfinished paintings on the floor always fill me with renewed energy and I pick up a brush. If the pigments on the canvas are already dry I once again get to create all manner of reality and fantasy, empty spaces and filled up scenes. In the time I have left I would like to declare here and now the unremitting joy painting has always given me ... I am not afraid of growing old or dying, I just want enough time to finish my painting and for it to be bolder and freer than the last one."
— Zao Wou-Ki
上述是藝術(shù)家寫(xiě)于1993年,時(shí)值72歲之齡的一段文字。透過(guò)他的言語(yǔ),我們可以想象眼前的這個(gè)人,是用他全部的生命與熱情投入創(chuàng)作。
回顧20世紀(jì)以來(lái)從中國(guó)至海外留學(xué)的藝術(shù)家中,趙無(wú)極無(wú)庸置疑是最早在西方取得巨大的成功、打入核心藝術(shù)圈、最早被認(rèn)可的中國(guó)藝術(shù)家之一。如自1957年起,他的作品在歐洲與美國(guó)分別由當(dāng)時(shí)最具影響力的巴黎法蘭西畫(huà)廊(Galerie de France)與紐約庫(kù)茲畫(huà)廊(Kootz Gallery)代理,兩家畫(huà)廊是歐美戰(zhàn)后抽象表現(xiàn)浪潮的重要推手,代理的是一級(jí)的藝術(shù)家如哈同(Hans Hartung)、帕洛克(Jackson Pollock)等,經(jīng)過(guò)他們不懈的推動(dòng)與布局,在1960年代末期,趙無(wú)極的作品除獲藝評(píng)家關(guān)注,并得許多美術(shù)館與私人藏家收藏,奠定了他跨國(guó)界的收藏群體。如截至今日,海內(nèi)外收藏其作的國(guó)立藝術(shù)機(jī)構(gòu)逾138家,當(dāng)中包括:巴黎首屈一指的羅浮宮(Musee du Louvre)、龐畢度藝術(shù)中心(Centre Pompidou)、紐約現(xiàn)代美術(shù)館(Museum of Modern Art)、大都會(huì)美術(shù)館(Metropolitan Museum of Art)、古根漢美術(shù)館(Guggenheim Museum)、倫敦泰德美術(shù)館(Tate Modern)、日本福岡美術(shù)館與北京中國(guó)美術(shù)館等東西方博物館界巨頭。這樣的資歷,翻開(kāi)亞洲現(xiàn)代美術(shù)史,無(wú)人能出其右。而今年,巴黎國(guó)立現(xiàn)代美術(shù)館(Musée National d'Art Moderne)更將舉辦其回顧展,即便斯人已逝,他在藝術(shù)世界所掀起的浪潮,卻未曾停歇。
行到水窮處,坐看云起時(shí)
回顧古今中外,一個(gè)偉大的藝術(shù)家,總是不斷尋求超越自我。趙無(wú)極正是當(dāng)中一個(gè)鮮明的例證。他的創(chuàng)作經(jīng)歷了幾個(gè)階段的重大轉(zhuǎn)變與突破,如從50年代初期的半具象,在1954年進(jìn)入甲骨文時(shí)期,而至1958年轉(zhuǎn)向完全抽象,僅用色彩與線(xiàn)條向觀者展示他所見(jiàn)所感的世界。從甲骨文時(shí)期的神秘沉郁,到60年代初期的激越磅礡、力重如山,而至70年代在歷經(jīng)與親人生離死別,對(duì)生命有更大的體悟后走向凌虛御空,回歸自然與東方的哲學(xué)觀、坦然地順應(yīng)自己的本性。他不斷建立,后又跳脫在繪畫(huà)上已得的成就。他的勇于超越、大破大立,成就了一代大師,并為他建立起了國(guó)際聲名。而走入80年代,其可謂達(dá)創(chuàng)作與成就之巔。在歷經(jīng)過(guò)去30年投身繪畫(huà)的探索,趙無(wú)極說(shuō):「我變成熟了,過(guò)去累積的努力,有了成果,一切都變得容易多了?!乖谠撾A段,他全然可以筆隨己心,如入無(wú)人之境。技術(shù)層面對(duì)他來(lái)說(shuō)已經(jīng)不是問(wèn)題。
而亦是在此時(shí),藝術(shù)世界向他回報(bào)了豐碩的肯定。如在1981年,巴黎大皇宮國(guó)家畫(huà)廊邀請(qǐng)他于該處舉辦個(gè)展,如其自言,這是他的作品「首次」在「官方場(chǎng)所」展覽。大皇宮為法國(guó)一級(jí)的博物館,此展揭示了他為法國(guó)藝術(shù)圈從上到下的全面擁抱。法國(guó)「國(guó)際交流協(xié)會(huì)」更視其作為東西藝術(shù)文化交流的精神橋梁,在大皇宮展后,協(xié)會(huì)將此展定為國(guó)家年度文化外交重點(diǎn)項(xiàng)目,在1981至1982年將此展推展至日本五個(gè)美術(shù)館、香港藝術(shù)中心以及新加坡國(guó)立現(xiàn)代美術(shù)館巡回展出,在短短的兩年期間,迅速建立起趙無(wú)極在亞洲的聲名,而在1985年,趙無(wú)極更被中國(guó)官方邀請(qǐng)回杭州藝專(zhuān)講學(xué),大師地位焉然底定。完成于1986年的《25.06.86桃花源》一作,即誕生于其人生、國(guó)際聲望如日中天的時(shí)空背景中。作品除展現(xiàn)他在創(chuàng)作上的完滿(mǎn)、揮灑自如,亦反映了他遼闊、悠然自得的心緒,與其終極的美學(xué)觀。
華光綻放,東西交輝
回憶趙無(wú)極剛到法國(guó)時(shí),為避免落入外界對(duì)于東方藝術(shù)家的刻板印象與傳統(tǒng)水墨的窠臼,他刻意舍棄水墨,選擇全然以傳統(tǒng)西式的媒材來(lái)作畫(huà),并在當(dāng)中走出了自己的一片天地,然而在1971年,他的第二任太太陳美琴病重,并于來(lái)年過(guò)世,帶給他極大的打擊,讓他長(zhǎng)達(dá)一年半無(wú)法作畫(huà),而此時(shí),幫助趙無(wú)極走出陰霾與苦痛的,正是中國(guó)的水墨! 為排解心中的煩憂(yōu)與窒礙,他找回兒時(shí)熟悉的雪白宣紙與墨,在最單純的水與墨的浸染、嬉戲間,重拾繪畫(huà)的樂(lè)趣。水墨像讓他垂死心靈所攀附的一根浮萍,拉著他向上、重回創(chuàng)作的軌道,而中國(guó)水墨千年的深厚東方美學(xué),更在之后深深地影響他的油畫(huà)創(chuàng)作。我們見(jiàn)到他開(kāi)始「以東方的方法追尋生命的表達(dá)」。
如在此《25.06.86桃花源》直式的宏大畫(huà)幅中,趙無(wú)極奔放地在畫(huà)布上施以亮麗的藍(lán)紫基調(diào)色彩,大膽地讓它占據(jù)畫(huà)布近乎三分之二的空間。他刻意加入大量的松節(jié)油,讓原本西方本質(zhì)上以濃稠、厚重為特色的油彩變得流利輕快,透過(guò)層層的渲染、掩涂、潑灑,成就了我們眼前所見(jiàn)的光華,在那大面積的色塊中,懸浮透亮的葡萄紫隨著柔韌綿延、躍動(dòng)飛揚(yáng)的墨黑線(xiàn)條由地面蒸蒸上升,和寶藍(lán)、靛青與墨色交織、迸溢出如山壁般的形象,層層向上遞嬗,蒼茫勁拔,柔中見(jiàn)剛,當(dāng)中還有如琉璃灑溢的點(diǎn)點(diǎn)金光,為作品注入一絲溫暖的氣息。如詩(shī)人亨利·米修(Henri Michaux)所言:「抽象的成分在擴(kuò)張,東濺西灑,精粹、沉淀,躍過(guò)形體化的線(xiàn)條,以絲綢的輕柔著陸,達(dá)到時(shí)總有一種說(shuō)不出的瀟灑,絕非西方式的?!冠w無(wú)極并在此將中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)書(shū)畫(huà)中「墨分五色」的概念,加之以西方絢麗的油彩重新演繹,匯融出新,以其極標(biāo)志性的藝術(shù)語(yǔ)言展現(xiàn)東西藝術(shù)精粹交會(huì)的灼灼之光。他的表現(xiàn)方式,與其所采取的路徑,顯然是在西方藝術(shù)家筆下,不可能出現(xiàn)的藝術(shù)格局與境界,此使他得以卓絕而立。
虛白的探索,道家哲學(xué)的反射:
朦朧氤氳,如夢(mèng)似幻
除此之外,趙無(wú)極更在此畫(huà)中挑戰(zhàn)如何表現(xiàn)「空」及內(nèi)蘊(yùn)的道家哲學(xué)。如若遠(yuǎn)觀之,在《25.06.86桃花源》畫(huà)幅的整個(gè)中心偏右,趙無(wú)極刻意留下了一個(gè)以白色為基調(diào)的空間,配合左方與右方濃重的色塊,展現(xiàn)「虛」與「實(shí)」間戲劇性的火花,并試圖營(yíng)造出若中國(guó)水墨中對(duì)于煙雨迷離、云靄蒸蒸的特殊境象的描寫(xiě)。趙無(wú)極曾說(shuō):「在畫(huà)布上表現(xiàn)實(shí)比虛容易得多,中國(guó)水墨畫(huà)中的白,是虛白,可以不描繪任何東西但仍給人對(duì)于空間的無(wú)限想象,但在油畫(huà)里,不能真的留白,油畫(huà)中的白,往往需要花上加倍的時(shí)間來(lái)處理?!箤?duì)照此作,近觀之下,觀者可發(fā)現(xiàn)在那片白色空間中,畫(huà)家以不同方向的筆觸施發(fā)相異明度的白色彩,并在其中融入粉紫彩、淡藍(lán)、鵝黃與青銅綠彩,透過(guò)多層次的肌理與細(xì)膩的深淺安排,創(chuàng)造出此氤氳朦朧,縹緲悠遠(yuǎn)之景,此或體現(xiàn)了中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)道家的哲學(xué)—以謙柔之心坐忘于天地自然,以及東方的宇宙觀。正如中國(guó)美術(shù)館館長(zhǎng)許江所說(shuō):「趙無(wú)極體悟到『惚兮恍兮,其中有象;恍兮惚兮,其中有物』中『道』的型態(tài)。他將煙雨之虛,寫(xiě)作穿梭無(wú)定的實(shí)體,又將山壑的實(shí)體,寫(xiě)作若有似無(wú)的虛境,或者,將虛與實(shí)來(lái)往穿梭,使得他的藝術(shù)成為西方抽象表現(xiàn)運(yùn)動(dòng)中最富詩(shī)意的一個(gè),東方的意象、西方的抽象,在趙無(wú)極的藝術(shù)中合二為一,實(shí)現(xiàn)劃時(shí)代的精神提升。」點(diǎn)明了他標(biāo)志性的非凡成就。
展開(kāi)的世界:垂直三澗式構(gòu)圖
「野獸派的作品給我上了一堂震撼教育,他們的空間,僅僅利用色彩運(yùn)用來(lái)營(yíng)造。」
—— 趙無(wú)極
而在1986年,趙無(wú)極的創(chuàng)作首見(jiàn)垂直的三澗構(gòu)圖。這樣的構(gòu)圖形式,在他其畢生創(chuàng)作中僅有三件,分別為《02.02.86向馬諦斯致敬I》、是次上拍的《25.06.86桃花源》與《21.05.93向馬諦斯致敬II》。此構(gòu)圖受馬諦斯的名作《科利尤爾的法式窗子》啟發(fā),回溯趙無(wú)極在初見(jiàn)該作時(shí)大感震撼,他曾說(shuō)作品「呈現(xiàn)了一個(gè)虛空和充實(shí)同時(shí)存在的門(mén),在那面前,我們可以找到生命、灰塵和我們所呼吸的空氣。然而在那后面發(fā)生什么事? 那里是黑暗的、巨大的空間,像是一扇真正朝繪畫(huà)展開(kāi)的門(mén)。」因而在1986年2月,參考其形式畫(huà)下向馬諦斯致敬的作品。接續(xù)在6月創(chuàng)作《25.06.86桃花源》,兩者雖同為三澗式的構(gòu)圖,但他將前作中心沉郁深黝的黑改以白取代,并更加瀟灑地在畫(huà)中注入奔放的情思,及若與天地自然合一的明亮心緒。晉代文學(xué)大家陶淵明在《桃花源記》曾寫(xiě)道:「晉太原中,武陵人,捕魚(yú)為業(yè),緣溪行,忘路之遠(yuǎn)近,忽逢桃花林,夾岸數(shù)百步,中無(wú)雜樹(shù),芳草鮮美,落英繽紛,漁人甚異之,復(fù)前行,欲窮其林。林盡水源,便得一山,山有小口,彷佛若有光,便舍船,從口入,初極狹,纔通人,復(fù)行數(shù)十步,豁然開(kāi)朗?!勾藢?duì)美好幻境的想象與《25.06.86桃花源》的畫(huà)意不謀而合,展現(xiàn)了完美的對(duì)照。
水墨大家張大千在1982年定居臺(tái)北時(shí),曾作潑彩巨制《桃源圖》,描繪對(duì)世外桃源的想象。趙無(wú)極與大千兩人為忘年之交,在巴黎時(shí)曾多次互動(dòng),1983年,趙無(wú)極在臺(tái)北國(guó)立歷史博物館舉辦個(gè)展時(shí),來(lái)臺(tái)參加展覽開(kāi)幕,期間特別至摩耶精舍拜訪(fǎng)張大千,有極高的可能,他在當(dāng)時(shí)曾見(jiàn)大千的《桃源圖》一作,張大千在50年代中期從細(xì)筆轉(zhuǎn)向粗筆、潑墨,60年代初期成就潑彩,此與趙無(wú)極從具象轉(zhuǎn)到抽象的創(chuàng)作轉(zhuǎn)折或互有啟發(fā)、互通關(guān)聯(lián),兩者同為勇于突破自我,追求更高境界的藝術(shù)家。對(duì)照大千晚年的《桃源圖》與趙無(wú)極的《25.06.86桃花源》,一以中式墨彩,一以西式油彩來(lái)表現(xiàn),但在構(gòu)圖與設(shè)色上卻展現(xiàn)了有趣的對(duì)話(huà),兩人分別以自我獨(dú)特的方式對(duì)傳統(tǒng)提出詰問(wèn)與創(chuàng)新。作品如同一扇展開(kāi)的大門(mén),向我們展現(xiàn)過(guò)盡千帆后,藝術(shù)家沉淀的人生智慧與其眼見(jiàn)的豐美。且讓我們走到作品前,安靜地,細(xì)細(xì)體悟畫(huà)中的世界。
張大千《桃源圖》1982年作 彩墨紙本 209 × 92.2 cm.(版權(quán)所有)
對(duì)照張大千的《桃源圖》與趙無(wú)極的《25.06.86 桃花源》,雖一以中式墨彩,一以西式油彩來(lái)表現(xiàn),但兩者在構(gòu)圖與用色上展現(xiàn)了有趣的對(duì)話(huà),均顯露其對(duì)傳統(tǒng)的超脫與創(chuàng)新,以及兩人在過(guò)盡千帆后,展現(xiàn)的人生智慧與其眼見(jiàn)的豐美世界。
趙無(wú)極《向馬諦斯致敬02.02.86》1986年作 油彩畫(huà)布 162 × 130 cm. (版權(quán)所有)此為趙無(wú)極1986年首度在創(chuàng)作形式上出現(xiàn)垂直的三澗式構(gòu)圖,該構(gòu)圖形式在他畢生創(chuàng)作中僅有三件,是次上拍的《25.06.86桃花源》是為其二
馬諦斯《科利尤爾的法式窗子》1914年作
油彩畫(huà)布?116.5 × 88 cm. 巴黎龐畢度藝術(shù)中心收藏(版權(quán)所有)
趙無(wú)極為野獸派大師如何運(yùn)用色彩形塑空間大感震撼與啟發(fā)
Of all the Chinese artists who have studied overseas since the twentieth century, Zao Wou-Ki was the first to achieve major success and one of the first to be welcomed into the Western art world with open arms.
Even at the End of the Road There is Always Hope
Since ancient times, great artists whether Chinese or foreign, have pursued a path of constant self transcendence and Zao Wou-Ki is no exception. Indeed, his approach to painting underwent several major changes. In the 1980s, it could be said that Zao reached the pinnacle of his creative work and artistic achievements.
The painting 25.06.86 was completed in 1986, at a time when Zao's life and international reputation were at their zenith. The work not only showcases the artist's creative success and freedom, it also reflects the vast sweep and laid back nature of his emotional world as well as his ultimate aesthetic outlook.
Wonderful Panorama, East Meets West
On arriving in France, Zao Wou-Ki abandoned ink art in an effort to avoid being pigeonholed by the outside world's stereotypical view of Eastern artists or limited by the confines of traditional ink art. Instead he chose to paint using only Western materials and sought to forge his own way in the art world. IIn the large vertical painting 25.06.86 Zao Wou-Ki presents a bright blue and purple colour motif which he boldly allows to take up nearly two thirds of the space. In addition, he adds a great deal of turpentine so the thick and heavy Western oil colours are lighter and flow more. Through layers of colour, daubing and splashing Zao showcases a panoramic view and within that vast expanse of colour the transparent grape-purple follows the flexible, vital black ink lines up from the floor, intersecting with royal blue, indigo and black to explode in the image of a mountain wall, its transmuted layers rising upwards, vast and towering, like steel shrouded in softness.
Exploring Virtual White and Reflections of Daoist Thought: Creating Dreamlike Scenes
Seen from a distance, the central focus of 25.06.86 is the right of the painting. Zao deliberately leaves a predominantly white space, which in conjunction with the thick colours on both the left and right, showcases the dramatic sparks between reality and virtuality. He also attempts to depict a scene reminiscent of hazy rain and mist in the Chinese ink painting oeuvre. Zao once said: "It is far easier to express reality than virtuality on the canvas, the white in Chinese ink painting is virtual white, it can express nothing and still create in the viewer boundless imaginings about space, but in an oil painting one cannot really leave a white space, because the white in an oil painting requires far more time to deal with." In contrast, looking up close viewers discover that through the use of different directional strokes, the white space in the painting is made up of hues of white that differ in brightness as well as light blue, goose yellow, bronze green and violet. In addition, this multilayered texture and rhythm of depth create hazy indistinct depictions and dimly discernible scenes in the distance, which could be viewed as representations of traditional Chinese Daoist philosophy, as the viewer sits there with a humble heart, lost in meditation, surrounded by nature and the Eastern view of the cosmos.
An Unfolding World: Three-Stream Vertical Composition
"Viewing the works of the Fauvist School was such a shock and an education when I saw how they used only colour to create space."
- Zao Wou-ki
In 1986, Zao Wou-Ki produced his first vertical three-stream painting. This approach was inspired by Matisse's French Window at Collioure which on seeing for the first time left Zao feeling surprised. Although both pieces are three-stream compositions, in the second the artist uses white rather than the gloomy black of the former. He also adds unrestrained sentiment and emotions that appear at one with heaven and earth.
In 1982, when Zhang Daqian moved to Taipei he painted the splashed-colour masterpiece Peach Blossom Spring as a depiction of paradise. Despite their age difference, Zao Wou-Ki and Zhang were friends and had met on numerous occasions in Paris. In 1983, Zao held a solo exhibition at the National Museum of History in Taipei and attended the official opening. He then spent time in the city and visited Zhang at his home. It is highly likely that he saw Zhang's Peach Blossom Spring at this time. In the mid-1950s, Zhang exchanged his brushwork from thin to thick and in the early 1960s his ink-splash works evolved into splashed-colour. It is possible that this inspired Zao's creative development from representational to abstract painting or that the two artists communicated, particularly as both men were courageously prepared to break with ego in pursuit of a higher artistic plane.