This exhibition is not only intended for appreciation of single pieces of work, but moreover to unveil the internal link - Things are metaphorized in the writing of Chinese character. Put it simply, the Chinese character speaks for Things, whereas other languages denote things with symbols (such as numerical symbol). An alphabetical word conveys meaning, but the word itself does not carry particular significance.The invasion of Western phonocentrism in contemporary and modern China almost obstructed the development of Chinese characters. In that course, simplified Chinese characters slashed the figurative meanings of traditional characters, and reduced the language to a mere one for communication. The history of the blend between traditional China with western culture is presented in this exhibition. We are fortunate to see that the effort of several generations of Chinese artists have brought the art of Chinese characters from traditional calligraphy to the context of modern global art world.

"From writing to concept" is the prime feature of the contemporary development of Chinese characters. We can observe, in works of Inoue Yuichi, the spirituality of Chinese character when it transcends the norm and tradition. In comparing "Shu Xiang" (Image of Characters) of Chinese characters with western abstractism, the works of Wei Ligang bring to our attention the potential of Chinese characters in constructing image, which is thoroughly exhibited in the depth and width of Wei's works. Chen Guangwu introduces conceptual thinking into writing: how to exhibit art among the entanglement of the black and white in ink painting, and of Yin and Yang of the world? Cheng Puyun is more inclined to restore the strokes of Chinese characters - to present the image built by every "enchanted" stroke in writing. Is that the voice of Nature? Gu Wenda combines writing and concept into One as he bonds Chinese character with image. The Chinese character writing of Zeng Zaocai, breaking the authority of the traditional forms of Chinese calligraphy, is like the return to rock painting and to graffiti - writing returns to real life; works fill public space, like the reincarnation of art when it comes back to the beginning of life - so what is the final purpose of Art ?

The exhibition urges us to reflect on that as we appreciate the works . . .