咪台灣 潘慧敏攝影展(更新)

自序 / 潘慧敏

從2007年在國父紀念舘舉辦過有關印度的個展後，曾經很奮力的想著，下一個創作目標要走到哪裡？法國？日本？這些遊歷多次的地方，必已累積充足的展覽作品；而在思索的當下，彷彿受到內心情感的召喚，熟悉再不過的台灣，竟冒出我的腦袋。

年少時夢想環遊世界，走過五大洲近40個國家後，“突然＂想到：“那台灣呢？＂一個這麼親近的地方，該如何表現它？該如何訂出展出標題呢？無緣由地，一個“咪＂字跑出來了！吃著白米飯長大的我們，“咪＂：為台灣訴說人與土地蘊藏的力量。對一位影像創作者而言，認識自己成長的土地是必然的歷程；就如同巴爾古提在他“回家＂一書中提及的文字：“倘使我不認得故鄉，那要如何歌誦世界？＂

攝影帶領我認識台灣，從表象的風景到在地的人文、從繁華的都會到謐靜的山林，隨著年月的累積，藉由思想與影像去解構、建構，重新詮釋對台灣的印象：我所認知有關於台灣的種種美好。一位攝影者的視野，通過旅行的心境認識自我的土地，縱使在經濟發展與汰舊換新的過程裡，有必要的與不必然發生的“破壞＂，如突兀的高壓電塔、不符合時宜的鐵皮屋、即將消逝的傳統文化、山林的保育問題等、以及伴隨著社會進步所產生的矛盾現象。在此難以改變的客觀環境下，卻引發自我創作的靈感與動機，希望以攝影者特有的“發現＂能力，加上對這片土地的親情，“再現＂柔美與溫暖的那部份。

本次展出分為兩個創作單元，一部分以純攝影角度觀看台灣，另一部分以後製建構記憶，以屬於台灣的符碼來詮釋心中的影像。創作的經驗猶如愛情蘊含酸甜苦辣，與其說是矛盾的煎熬過程，不如說是一種製造美感的衝突；有衝突才有掙扎與取捨，也才能萃煉出影像本質與謙蓄情感。

從創作的路程以來，常覺得“得之於人者太多＂，整整十年的攝影歷程，感謝不少熱心、專業的前輩指導與提攜，促使我穩健地創作。準備這次展覽的過程，感覺是階段性的自我省思與再啟發。原型必然是真實，或真實必須等同原型？ 期待這次的展出，能將影像的美感經驗分享給觀眾。

咪台灣

Glimpse: Images and Impression

Erika Pan Photo Exhibition

Preface

 

Since my last individual exhibition of India in Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in 2007, there were times I thought fiercely about where my creation should go next? France? Japan? Places like these which I visited multiple times should easily generate plenty satisfying pieces; while pondering such, somehow I felt summoned by an inner emotion telling me “Taiwan”, a place so familiar should be next.

 

As a child I once dreamed of traveling around the world, but after setting foot on 40 countries in five different continents, suddenly I realize why not Taiwan. How would I portrait a lovely place such as this? How would I come up with an exhibition title for it? Out of no where, the word “咪” (pronounce as “mi”)pops up in my head! The word “咪” speaks for itself, a combination of two words: “mouth” and “rice”, the underlying relationship between men and land. To an image creator, understanding one self’s nurturing land is a process of must. Just like Mourid Barghouti in his book of “I saw Ramallah” talks about one must understand one’s native land in order to praise the world.

 

Photography shows me what Taiwan is all about: from the appearance of the scenery to the humanities of the local, from the thriving of the metropolitan to the calmness of the mountain, accumulated experiences give me the ability to re-assemble and re-interpret Taiwan, as well as construct beauty and emotion into my creation.

Part of photographer’s vision is shaped by travel the native land. Though it be economic booming or elimination of the old, there’s always necessary and unnecessary damages caused. Just as frequently seen the sky rising electric towers and the torn down metal shacks among our community, or the culture fading out concerns and the environmental protection issues, all of these contradictions inspire my soul and give me motives to create. I hope to take advantage of a photographer’s sense of discovery, and with my affection for this land to rediscovery the beauty of Taiwan.

 

My exhibition composes two elements：one is from a pure photography point of view to see Taiwan, the other one is through post-reconstruction of memories to re-portrait the image of Taiwan.The process of creation can be compared with the mix feeling one could get on a date. It is these contradictions, struggles and rejections, that are the fundamental elements of a good photo piece.

 

In the past ten years of my photography career, I feel I’d taken more than I’d given. I was fortunate enough to encounter many enthusiastic who are kind enough to help and guide me. This exhibition is more like a self- reflection as well as self-enlightening. Or should I say it’s more like a beginning of a new chapter. I look forward to share my creation experience with you all.