K YO T O初次見到……京都
ALAN CHAN
I FIRST WENT
to Kyoto 20 years ago with my family. I wanted to experience Kyoto culture, much of which was modelled on that of China’s Tang and Song dynasties.
The one thing that stood out on that first trip (and I’ve been back many times since), was the bamboo forest in Arashiyama, on the outskirts of Kyoto. Here was this pretty grove of bamboo canes with elegant paths snaking through them – it was incredibly calming. I also fell in love with Kyoto’s food – particularly its seasonal kaiseki cuisine.
Toji Temple gave me an insight into Japanese culture and their way of life. As well as ancient Buddhist shrines, it also has one of my favourite markets. The market, which sells everyday items such as bowls, dishes, kimonos and plants, has been part of local culture for the past 200 years.
My experiences of Kyoto have inspired much of my work over the years: such as a bamboo forest installation, video installations showing Kyoto’s minimalist designs and wallpaper and carpets inspired by the city’s history.
It has provided such inspiration that last year I decided to open Kyoto 27, a gallery promoting traditional crafts and arts. We change the exhibitions every couple of months, inviting an array of artists to show their work. Some are more established; others are newer and younger.
Alan Chan is a Hong Kong-based designer and winner of DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer Award 我於 年前初次與家人前往京都，想體驗當地的文化，因為這個城市有濃厚的唐代與宋代遺風。
我日後曾多次重遊京都，但首次前來時，最令我難忘的，是位於市郊嵐山的竹林。秀麗的竹林內，有曲折清幽的小徑，漫步其中，令人身心頓感寧靜。我也愛上了京都的特色料理，特別是講究時令的懷石料理。
東寺也令我對日本文化和生活方式有所了解。東寺不單是座古老的佛寺，還有個市集。市集出售的都是日常用品如碗碟、和服與植物等，已經有200年歷史，可從中窺見當地生活面貌。
多年以來，我的設計都從京都獲得啟發；例如我曾經做過以竹林作題材的裝置作品、以京都簡約設計作主題的錄像裝置，以及從這個城市濃厚的歷史氣息及寧靜的氛圍獲得靈感而設計的牆紙和地氈等。
京都給我的靈感非常豐富，去年我更在京都開設了Kyoto 27畫廊，推動傳統的手工藝及藝術品。畫廊每隔幾個月就會舉行一次展覽，邀請不同的藝術家展出他們的作品。無論是資深藝術家還是年輕新秀，我都會邀請。
陳幼堅是居港設計師，獲DFA世界傑出華人設計師榮銜