「酵種」（Culturing），取其意發酵、培種。「酵種」的出現，不是始，亦不是終，是一個過程，一個進化、演變和蛻變。「酵種」亦代表了一眾同學，在充斥細菌的環境底下，帶著對藝術的一點執著，一點相信，甚或一點不甘心，與其一起發酵；而那看著毫不起眼的酵種，如微細的種子，隱藏著意想不到的可能性。

 

由香港藝術學院與澳洲皇家墨爾本理工大學合辦，藝術文學士畢業展二零二一，以「酵種」（Culturing）為主題，假香港藝術中心包氏畫廊，展出三十五位應屆畢業生在主修媒介上的研習成果；透過一系列繪畫、素描、陶瓷、雕刻、裝置及影片等多媒體藝術，訴說對藝術的理解及追求。

 

過往兩年，不僅你和我，大家都面臨著意想不到的變卦。無常——那存在於生命中的不確定，打破了我們的習以為常。香港藝術學院學術總監林嵐女士表示，「在困境中，人類可以發揮的爆發力，往往無法想像。當世界逆行時，我們更清楚當下的自己，立於何地，關心何人，何事。」

 

過往的學習，猶如當初那顆不起眼的種子，在澆溉、吸收、掙扎下，萌了芽、長了葉；亦如此畢業展，不是始，更不是終，是三十五位對藝術有嚮往、執著及信念的應屆畢業生，手執所培種的「酵種」，繼續在藝術創作上的發酵，繼而進化、演變和蛻變的過程。正如香港藝術學院署理院長. 陳育強教授表示，「藝術學院的天然資源是來自不同年齡丶社會經驗和背景的學生，大多數進入學院的同學並非未直接地遵從社會所擬訂的人生進程階梯 ，反而從種種意外丶疑惑和障礙中找到這近乎浪漫的目標，當中的動力少不了藝術學習不可或缺的熱情和好奇，我敢說，這是享受藝術和創作藝術的最基要條件。我在學院就是看到這種類似種菌過程的生命力，過程未必好看，但充滿生機和力量。」

 

不論生活處於順流，還是逆流；不論過程是迅速，還是緩慢；不論結果是成功，還是徒勞，堅持藝術創作的過程，都可以好像「酵種」般純粹，帶著看似微不足道的力量，去撼動心靈。

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「酵種」（Culturing）borrows meaning from the laboratory technique of growing microorganisms in a particular condition for research and development purposes. Culturing, or cultures, appear not at the beginning nor the end, but define the process, evolution, transformation and metamorphosis.  As such, culturing, also represents the graduating students. Armed with a single-mindedness, a belief and perhaps even an unyielding resolve, the graduates have grown and cultivated their art practice in today’s bacteria-filled environment. The cultured result may be unremarkable, but like a tiny seed, it can hide unexpected possibilities. 

 

Culturing, is the title and theme of the Graduate Exhibition 2021 of the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) degree program, co-presented by the Hong Kong Art School (HKAS) and RMIT University. Held at the Pao Galleries of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, this exhibition is the culmination of the major studies of 35 graduates. The works of different media, including painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, installation and video, represent the collective call of the graduates in their understanding and pursuit of art.  

 

In the past two years, everyone has faced unforeseen changes. Impermanence, as the inconstant aspect of life, has disrupted what people have grown accustomed to. Jaffa Lam, Academic Head of the Hong Kong Art School, expresses her thoughts on how the current environment can affect art making: “In times of predicament, mankind can exhibit unimaginable bouts of power. When the world is turned upside down, we become distinctly aware of one’s self in that moment; where we are, who and what we care about.”

 

Like the act of culturing, this graduation exhibition is not the beginning nor the end, but it is the process of evolution and creation of the 35 graduates, who will continue their art making with their cultivated cultures, passion and belief. On the transformative process of art studies and learning, Acting Director of the Hong Kong Art School, Professor Kurt Chan, summarizes: “The Hong Kong Art School’s natural resources are the students who are of different ages, and who come from various backgrounds and walks of life. The majority of the students who enter the school do not follow the advancement path normalized by society, instead, they decide on this almost-romantic pursuit through encountering accidents, puzzles and obstacles. And they are motivated by the passion and curiosity that are crucial to studying art. I daresay this is the basic requirement to enjoy art and making art. In Art School, I have witnessed the kind of vitality as seen in the process of culturing microorganisms, and though the process may not be pretty, it is full of life and strength.”

 

It should not matter if the tide of life is flowing, or if it turns; if it is rapid or creeping. Nor does it matter if results are accomplished or the effort was futile. By persevering in the process of art making, it is possible to enact Culturing, using the strength of something negligible to stir people’s souls.