Exhibition poster by Jianping He
acquaintance - HE´s design work
Organizer: |
The 6th National Forum for education of visual communication design;
Nanjing University of the Arts, school of design; NUA Art Museum |
| Venue: | F3, NUA Art Museum (No.74, Beijing West Rd., Nanjing) |
| Date: | 24 Nov.-30 Dec., 2012 |
| Opening Ceremony: | 11:00, 24 Nov., 2012 |
acquaintance
The word “acquaintance” was originally used to describe the kind of relationship between friends who are on nodding terms but nonetheless nurture a light affection. I hold this word in high regard. One appreciates this word’s implication of calm and generosity, as if one could discern the conflicts and maneuverings between people without being part of them. Acquaintances do not need to exchange greetings in an affected way. Since we are mainly acquaintances, why don’t we learn from the ancient Chinese, and make a slight bow with folded hands? This way we could avoid the embarrassment of holding out a hand without being able to reach its counterpart, as well as the risk of catching a virus by shaking hands.
Who says acquaintances are loners without a feeling for friendship? Orchids grow in deep valleys and give off a fragrance even without their admirers around. Acquaintances are not like pragmatic dinner-table friends who gather for a drink and a laugh and leave as soon as the banquet is over. Acquaintances are free of the vulgarity of the secular world. Rather they uphold the Wei-Jin style. It is the first barrier on the way towards real friendships. The footnote to acquaintanceship is practical experience in dealing with a wide range of human beings yet with a clear focus on real friendship, quality rather than quantity.
In the context of graphic design, I have different understandings of the word than before. For two decades I have been travelling the world, yet I have always been moving in the rather small circle of “graphic designers”. I have been plagued with many troubles in design, yet I still make a living by designing, which I completely enjoy. I thought I had grown out of my acquaintance with design, and become a fully-fledged professional. Today, when I am going through my works in preparation for my solo exhibition at Nanjing University of the Arts, I realize there are few works that I find truly satisfactory. This epiphany makes me realize that I am still just acquainted with design.
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