一個品格教育的故事
我是MC仁。這只是我在音樂上的名字,我的音樂風格在香港比較另類,在大眾流傳的其實只算我創作過的一小部份,而音樂創作,亦只屬於我從事的其中一項副業。其實我亦從事設計,藝術創作,教育工作和文化研究,等等。總之,都有一些共通點,就是非主流和另類。
我來自一個有很多人的大家庭,習慣了嘈、迫、趕,所以自小非常響往獨立、沒有人和寧靜的空間。記得在小學的時候,美術和勞作科的成續不俗,長期「A」,曾經跟隨老師學畫畫,但是不適合那種死板的教育方式,而沒有繼續。中學時期對學校所教的,無心學習,而當時理科學生不可以考美術科,後來自修會考,攞了一個「U」。會考後因為成績不好,唯有日間工作,晚上報讀大學的校外課程,遇到了啟蒙老師,他說:「若果你認真的想學藝術,第一件事,離開香港,到外面行一個圈吧!」儲了一年的生活費,所以後來我依然窮困,日間讀書,晚上工作,(其實個個都係咁!) 來支持學業。在法國留了七年時間,藝術學院畢業。
回香港後,不但沒有好好的在社會中尋找工作,更參與了搖滾樂隊,塗鴉,搞創作等等,不務正業。現在更搬到偏遠村落,獨自生活,為的,就是不進入象牙塔,不作打工仔,不看老細嘴臉!當然,代價便是如窮人般的自由度,更多私人時間,更專注創作。但是相反,賺到的是身邊經常見到窮人,呻窮的人,嫌窮的人,和欺負窮人的人。香港地,不適宜搞創作,搞藝術,搞文化,搞音樂,搞獨立,搞政治,搞理想,搞夢想。
在香港,我們經常被告知,我們不具備條件作這些,我們不具備條件作那些,一切一切,我們都不具備條件。
如此看來,我們也的確來自一個非常失敗的制度之中吧!而來自這個失敗的社會中的失敗者,應該是如何面對這一切的?
「失敗乃成功之母」本來我很有信心他們總會能夠教好兒女,有出色的下一代。
不幸的是,有一天,突然跑出了一個「阿爺」,來教大家認宗認祖、怎樣做父母、怎樣做子女、怎樣做子孫... 一下子,大家迷失了,該如何好?討好上面?怪罪下面?
非常抱歉,本人屬於社會中更失敗的一群,做不了人父母,難以感受到你們的壓力苦。
但是,我看到今天,二零一六年的年輕人,他們的創意,他們的勇敢,他們面對的逆境。我只希望香港家長們,支持他們吧!把未來交給他們吧!
至於那些仍然需要向上、向更上,向老爺們獻媚討好的人們,祝他們好運吧!很快「阿爺」便會帶同更多二奶三奶,來再教育他們的...
I am MC Yan. That is my name in the music industry. My music style is rather alternative in Hong Kong. What you hear in the mainstream is a small part of my creations. Making music is one of my jobs. I am actually involved in designing, artistic creations, education work and cultural studies et cetera. Nonetheless, they share one thing in common and that is they are all non-mainstream and alternative.
I come from a big family. I am used to noise, crowds and being in a hurry. That is why I have enjoyed being independent since I was young. I like space where there is no people and solitude. I remember during Primary school, I got fairly good grades for Art. I always got ‘A’ grade. I used to learn drawing from my teacher. But rote learning did not suit me. That was why I discontinued my learning. I did not pay attention to my studies while I was in Secondary school. I was a Science student and was not allowed to take the Art examinations. So I self-studied the subject and received a ‘U’ (‘undefined’) grade. As my public examination grades were not good, I could only work during the day and study university courses at night. I came across an influential teacher. He said: ‘If you seriously want to study Art, the first thing you must do is leave Hong Kong and take a look at the world outside.’ After saving up a year for my living expenses, I was still very poor. I studied during the day and worked at night to support my studies. Actually, everyone is like that! I lived in France for seven years and graduated from the art institute.
After returning to Hong Kong, not only did I not look for work, I even joined a Rock ‘n’ Roll band. I did graffiti, art and more. I had no job. As of now, I have moved to a remote village to live alone because I did not want to stay in an ivory tower. I did not want to be a wage earner and fear my boss. Of course, the outcome is similar to the freedom of poor people. I have a lot more time to myself and can further concentrate on my creative works. But on the flipside, I have earned an entourage of poor people around me. I am surrounded by those who complain about being poor, those who look down on others that are poor, and those who take advantage of the poor. It is not suitable to create, do art, embark on cultural activities, do music, be independent, go into politics, and have aspirations and dreams in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, we often get told that we do not have the qualities to do this or that. All in all, we are simply incapable. By the same token, we really come from a system of failure! And among this failing society and among all the losers, how do we face everything?
We can learn from our mistakes. I used to be very confident that our children can be taught well. Our next generation can be successful. But unfortunately, one day, a ‘grandfather’ suddenly showed up. He came to teach us to how to recognize our ancestors, how to be parents, how to be children and how to be grandchildren. At once, everyone became lost. What can we do? Abide the above? Or punish those below?
I am extremely sorry. I am the greatest failure of all. I cannot be a parent. I cannot easily understand your struggles. But from my observation today, the youth of 2016 are very creative, courageous and strong during adversity. I can only hope that parents support them. You can hand your future to them.
To those who still need to climb up the ladder and embrace the ‘grandfather’, I wish them luck. Very soon this ‘grandfather’ will bring his concubines to teach them…
「remote job art」的推薦目錄:
remote job art 在 董事長樂團 Facebook 的最讚貼文
眾神護台灣專輯的設計師蕭青陽今天獲得美國獨立音樂獎(IMA)最佳包裝設計獎!
Thank you Congratulations to everyone!
謝謝大家! 恭喜大家!
http://www.independentmusicawards.com/…/art…/qing-yang-xiao/
Responses to “Qing-Yang Xiao”
Gioia says:
One of the greatest designer I know. His album design works are something you can keep in your life. Every once a while you take out, they bring back to you all the memmories… 03/13/2012 at 7:35 pm
DESCRIBE YOUR NOMINATED WORK:
75 years ago, Macy’s grandfather left his family behind, boarding a boat in Keelung port in Taiwan heading for Osaka in Japan in pursuit of his dream as a jazz saxophonist, and he died there….75 years later, Macy, disappointed at her career as backup vocalist in Taiwan, decided to follow his grandfather’s footstep. She hopped on a plane, all alone, going to New York to pursuit her dream to make jazz music. Thus born the record After 75 Years. When I heard of this story, I realized this record is not just about music. It is also dream, memory, and passion. It is a journey across time and place, linked by family bond that was translated into 6 letters that travelled through the time and music. The envelops, stamps, papers, boats, pen handwriting, Japanese and Chinese characters, photos, and the last email. All of the proof that told the hidden secrets of the family touched me immensely and let me sink into deep thoughts. The one-year-and-half work was enjoyable, especially because it gave me a chance for the first time to fly from Asia to New York to bask in the soulful jazz music of local jazz bars. Only then did I realize the feeling of Macy’s grandfather when he embarked on that lonely trip chasing after his dream.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT?
When Macy flew from New York to Taipei to talk to me, sharing the music and story with me, I suddenly realized that this time I would not be just a designer but a director to re-create those memories of dreams on printed paper. The process of patching different memories and stories into one whole piece once made me feel melancholy too. But the result gave me much more happiness.
WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT & PROCESS? DID YOU & THE BAND COLLABORATE?
In fact, Macy’s team had already done a design in New York. But one day, Macy accidentally saw an interview of me on TV talking about my works and ideals, she decided to engage me. She flew all the way from New York to Taipei and persuaded me into doing it. She has more confidence in me and myself, believing that I would translate the deep emotions and music of east and west into an artistic expression. The profound love and courageous pursuit of dream moved me so much that I decided to take this job. Without the same devotion and conviction, I couldn’t have made it cause my pay was already used up by the time I found the photographer and copywriter and flew to New York for the shooting!
WAS THE DESIGN/IMAGE YOU CREATED USED IN ANY OTHER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE ARTIST? PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Packaging design isn’t just sugar-coating. I always think that if one can express his heart through music, the packaging design should also deliver the emotions and thoughts of the music. It should touch people’s heart just like the melodies inside of it.
DESCRIBE WHAT IT WAS LIKE WORKING WITH THE MUSICAL ARTIST:
Each time I work with musicians, I feel like experiencing a different life. I enjoy listening and this has enriched my life.
WHAT OTHER INDEPENDENT MUSIC PROJECTS HAVE YOU WORKED ON?
Though I have always lived in the island of Taiwan I can listen to western music and the creative works via radio and other media. All these have become my nutrition and I always try to integrate various elements to create something new and unique. After 28 years in the business, the chance to always do something i haven’t yet done before keeps my passion alive and the opportunities to work with different talents are sheer pleasure to me. My works might seem more independent than independent. I did design for an album which features two grandmas from an indigenous tribe recording their tribe music in Spain. Another album features a children choir led by a principal at an elementary school located at a 1000-meter-high mountain in praise of God. Or a genius boy who hasn’t grown since the 5th grade flied from a small village on Taiwan’s east coast to Vienna to look for his dream. And there’re more…..Last time, I was very honored to receive the best packaging design from IMA for Island Story. To celebrate it, local government at my hometown held a press conference for me, allowing me to share my thoughts with the world. I made a vow there and then, saying that “I’d want to go farther into the mountains or the seaside to do the design. I want to contribute my skills and capabilities to those who still have dreams for music, even in the remote countryside.” The nomination of After 75 Years once again helped me realize my dream.
WHICH MUSICIAN’S WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH NEXT?
I’ve done it for 28 years in this island and now I’d like to work with musicians outside of my country. I haven’t done anything like reggae, punk, folk, world music, contemporary, blues, trance, break beat, big-beat, etc. As long as it’s something different, I’d like to give it a try.
WHAT ROLE WILL ALBUM ART/PHOTOGRAPHY PLAY IN A DIGITAL/STREAMING WORLD?
The age of digital music highlights the importance of physical texture of the packaging design. Like After 75 Years, if you haven’t touched it and flipped it though, you couldn’t have enjoyed it as much.
HOW HAVE CHANGES IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AFFECTED YOUR CAREER & ART?
From 80s to now, the world has gone from vinyl, cassettes, walkman, CD, to MP3 and more. The evolution from analogue to digital music as well as the device has also made me grow. But whatever the tool is, I think man is born to sing. That will not never change.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO SUBMIT TO THE 11TH IMAS?
My friend in the US helped me apply for the competition of last year and this year. I changed my mind of not wanting to venture out. Now I want to share my works with people all around the world.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS/GRAPHIC DESIGNERS/ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?
They have different antenna that transmits different message than I do. Collaborating with them help me develop imagination I never had before. I love working with those geeks. Each time, we make each other’s eyes wide open!
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?
In 1995, I was the first Asian ever to be dominated for packaging design at Grammy. Ever since then, I’ve started to promote those records that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS… WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR?
The music industry is about dream and passion. After finished the 2-year project of Story Island and one-year-and-an-half After 75 Years‘, I am now looking forward to meeting with musicians that share the same passion and dream as me.
WHERE CAN FANS FIND YOUR WORK?
My website: http://www.shout.com.tw
My blog: http://blog.yam.com/shoutstu
Mt FB: http://www.facebook.com/shout.cc
My emails: shoutstu@ms24.hinet.net shoutstu01@gmail.com
Or Google Qing-yang Xiao 蕭青陽