Writing the "Orchard Pavilion Preface" for One Thousand Times (or alternatively named as "Opus One") 书写兰亭序一千遍

Creator(s)

Zhi-Jie QIU 邱志杰

Preview

Date

1992

Format

Photograph

Exhibition Event Title

Ink Art: Past as Present in Contemporary China

Date of Exhibition Event

December 9, 2013–April 6, 2014

Location of Exhibition Event

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Materials

Ink on paper

Dimensions

each: 19 1/4 × 29 in. (48.9 × 73.7 cm)

Description

"In Work, Opus One (1992-1994) (or Writing the 'Orchard Pavilion Preface' for One Thousand Times) Qju Zi-jiecopied a text of Wang Xi-Zhi(4th century), the Lan Ting Preface, one thousand times. The writing was repeated on the same sheet of paper so that it eventually became entirely black with ink. The repeated copying of a famous masterpiece is a common enough traditional practice, but repeating it in this manner highlights the conscious subjugation of the self. Neither text nor calligraphy remains, hence liberating the artist from the burden of creation. The paper is blackened after a number of copies, and thereafter Qju writes as though on an invisible plate, the only guidance being the self- conscious adherence to calligraphic convention. The exercise of writing becomes a purely spiritual exercise, like the repetition of a prayer, or concentrated playing. This work was completed over a period of two years, from 1992 to 1994." (Chang, Qiu Zhi-Jie: Artist as the Writing Hand, available on Zhou Document) (Jerry Wu'23).