Have you ever felt drawn to a particular painting, sculpture, or handmade thing but you weren't quite sure why? It could be that the item was made by an artist who infused his or her chi into the work. The spirit energy per say of the artist; focused emotional energy implanted in the piece while it was being made. The artist puts an impression of his spirit and mental energy into the work.
Even with all the best technique in the world, a painting that lacks chi also lacks a certain vitality, that kind of ephemeral underlying energy that draws me to some work. This idea makes me think of this quote from painter Francis Bacon:
QiGong is a systematic method of working with the qi energy of the body, (QiGong translates to breath work or energy work) and is related to the practice of infusing calligraphy with qi energy. Breathing that correlates with the brushstrokes and the flow of energy is what can infuse the calligraphy with the artist's chi. The main principles of calligraphy are: good tools (paper, brush, ink), a good posture, your emotions synergized with the brushstroke, balance, and rhythm.
The concept of chi is not dissimilar to what physics tells us - that everything is comprised of atoms; of energy. Although some physicists probably frown upon QiGong has a science, some believe it is related to the quantum physics concept of zero-point energy. Physicist Charles Seife defines zero-point energy as: "The energy caused by the spontaneous creation and destruction of subatomic particles, even in the deepest vacuum. It is a prime suspect for the cause of the cosmological constant."
Upon various blogs and message boards where I and other artists share their work with each other, there is a somewhat common phrase used sometimes in discussing the work. It usually goes something like - I would love to see the painting IRL (in real life) - or - I am sure IRL it is even better. This is because you cannot feel the true essence of a work without seeing it in person.
The best Giclee print in the world although very nice, is still a lifeless copy of the original painting. Vincent Van Gogh's work is a prime example. I have stared at this one original of his - Olive Grove, at my local museum many different times. Certain times when I am alone with the work and/or focused into it without distraction, I begin to see an underlying radiating energy.
I think that all handmade items have an element of this; the chi of the artist infused with the work. And whether you want to call it prana, chi, qi, zero-point energy or anything else, this life force energy is real, and is a vital and malleable thing. Check out this related post: All Matter is Energy.
Digg It! Even with all the best technique in the world, a painting that lacks chi also lacks a certain vitality, that kind of ephemeral underlying energy that draws me to some work. This idea makes me think of this quote from painter Francis Bacon:
"I would like my pictures to look as if a human being had passed between them, like a snail leaving its trail of the human presence... as a snail leaves its slime." - Francis BaconIn Hindu culture this idea of energy is called prana, which translates literally to life-force and is involved with the practice of yoga. This energy also plays a vital role in Asian medicine, and in Chinese calligraphy painting. They believe that chi, also sometimes referred to as ki, qi, or gi, is in every living thing. It is like an energy flow or simply life energy.
QiGong is a systematic method of working with the qi energy of the body, (QiGong translates to breath work or energy work) and is related to the practice of infusing calligraphy with qi energy. Breathing that correlates with the brushstrokes and the flow of energy is what can infuse the calligraphy with the artist's chi. The main principles of calligraphy are: good tools (paper, brush, ink), a good posture, your emotions synergized with the brushstroke, balance, and rhythm.
The concept of chi is not dissimilar to what physics tells us - that everything is comprised of atoms; of energy. Although some physicists probably frown upon QiGong has a science, some believe it is related to the quantum physics concept of zero-point energy. Physicist Charles Seife defines zero-point energy as: "The energy caused by the spontaneous creation and destruction of subatomic particles, even in the deepest vacuum. It is a prime suspect for the cause of the cosmological constant."
Upon various blogs and message boards where I and other artists share their work with each other, there is a somewhat common phrase used sometimes in discussing the work. It usually goes something like - I would love to see the painting IRL (in real life) - or - I am sure IRL it is even better. This is because you cannot feel the true essence of a work without seeing it in person.
The best Giclee print in the world although very nice, is still a lifeless copy of the original painting. Vincent Van Gogh's work is a prime example. I have stared at this one original of his - Olive Grove, at my local museum many different times. Certain times when I am alone with the work and/or focused into it without distraction, I begin to see an underlying radiating energy.
I think that all handmade items have an element of this; the chi of the artist infused with the work. And whether you want to call it prana, chi, qi, zero-point energy or anything else, this life force energy is real, and is a vital and malleable thing. Check out this related post: All Matter is Energy.
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2 comments:
I started thinking about Van Gogh in reading your first paragraph here, so found it interesting that you mentioned him specifically soon after. Of course that could have something to do with the fact that--as I already know--you and I are both major fans. I think, though, that there's also something in the three dimensionality of his work--the way it's always seemed to me when looking at his paintings up close that they're quite literally reaching out to me--that he's trying to establish a kind of physical connection with the viewer...which also goes along with his putting his signature on the vase in sunflowers--as if he's a potter rather than a painter...or maybe I just need sleep....
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