B/ 02_ Artist Statements

Artist_ Hei Shing Chan
Title_ moon. under. alone. drink.
City/ Year_ London/ 2008
Material_ Mixed media
Size_ Approx 15cm x 15cm x 15cm (Books) / 21cm x 26cm (Typographic Posters)

One Sentence Version
This artwork is a conceptual yet beautiful exploration of the concept of the book as an object itself.

3-Sentence Version
This artwork, moon. under. alone. drink., consists of five typographic posters and five sculpture-like books. A Chinese poem, “Drinking alone with the moon” is applied to explain my reflection in a different world. Various materials, bindings, and structures are customised for each book to stimulate our sensations.

Short Paragraph Version
This artwork, moon. under. alone. drink., mainly consists of a series of five typographic posters, as well as a series of five sculpture-like books. A 1300-year-old Chinese poem, “Drinking alone with the moon” is applied to explain my experience and reflection of existence in a different world. With a thorough thought, different materials, various binding methods, and rhythmical structures are customised for each book in order to produce a mixture of visual, acoustic, tactile, smellable languages. A totality of all sensations is one narrative.

Full Version
“Studying in and experiencing London is like standing in front of a polished mirror, my reflection is clear. I regain awareness of the feeling of my body and its existence in a new and different world.”

This artwork, moon. under. alone. drink., mainly consists of a series of five typographic posters, as well as a series of five sculpture-like books. The inspiration is from my own experience in London as a Chinese. This is definitely a self-reflection in a different world. A 1300-year-old Chinese poem, “Drinking alone with the moon” [月下獨酌] is applied to explain my story and complex emotion in London. Five keywords in the poem are highlighted; each of them is made into one book and one poster.

1_ “Flower” [花] is a representation of London. It illustrates the positive and beautiful aspect of London, such as English garden and parks.

2_ “Liquor” [酒] is a combination of fire & water. Liquor is in liquid form but it burns in mouth and stomach. This exciting drink symbolizes my favorite Book Arts.

3_ “Moon” [月] is extremely attractive but too far away from me. This signifies the friendship (I established in London), which is so fantastic but also unpredictable.

4_ “Shadow” [影] is my self-reflection, which shows a mixture of complex feelings including confusion, happiness, and loneliness.

5_ “Myself” [我] demonstrates my own personality, which is quiet, fragile but spiritually strong.

Deconstruction of this poem with a kind of experimental typographic treatment are made to show my own confusion about language along with a feeling of lost in translation in a different country. A series of five posters is designed as a result.

With a thorough thought, different materials, various binding methods, and rhythmical structures are customised for each of the five books in order to produce a rich visual, acoustic, tactile, smellable languages which engage audience to experience these books. A totality of these five books is one narrative. After experiencing all five books, readers can completely feel my sensation and emotion in London.