Solidified music
By Zhao Jing Photos by Yao Fan

六十一尊无言的雕塑, 静静地伫立在会展中心酒店附近的广场上. 它们又像是一支庞大的乐队, 演奏着无声的交响乐, 把人们带回到反法西斯战争的洪流中.
"和平繁荣"全国雕塑巡回展, 8月15日至29日, 期待您的到来.



Sculptures can be seen as solidified music. Just as the metaphor goes, 61 sculptures located on the lawn beside the International Conference and Exhibition Center compose the magnificent thematic orchestra in Xiamen, a beautiful island of music.



This sculpture tour exhibition is organized by the Sculptors' Committee of the China Fine Arts Association, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Anti-Japanese War and the global defeat of fascism, as well as the 60th birthday of the United Nations. Starting from Changchun, Jilin Province on June 18th, the exhibition was scheduled to be displayed in Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Xiamen, Shanghai and Beijing. It is no coincidence that people from most of the above cities suffered greatly during the Anti-Japanese War.

Xiamen is the fifth city of the tour. At the opening ceremony on the evening of August 15th, citizens got their first look at these fine works of art, which will stay in the city for 15 days before continuing on to the next two cities, Beijing and Shanghai.



The 61 sculptures addressing "peace and prosperity" are placed in four different exhibition areas which are entitled "Image of War", "Warnings of War", "Fighting for Victory" and "Ode to Peace" respectively. According to the organizers of the exhibition, all of the sculptures were crafted out of glass fiber reinforced plastic and each of them was carefully selected from the works of outstanding sculptors from all over China.



Most of the sculptures were made in a realistic way. Walking among them, viewers are immersed in the reproduction of important events and figures from those ferment days. From ordinary Chinese farmers to the president of the United States, from individuals to groups, from the great triumph of Pingxingguan Battle to the forces joining at Elbe... The concrete images are interwoven with each other and depict one of the darkest episodes in human history.

To the pride of Xiamen people, members of organizing committee said all the works would eventually come back to Xiamen, which is to be their permanent home. Some of the returning sculptures will be displayed in public places and the rest of them will be stored in the Xiamen Culture and Arts Center. As the city nearest to Taiwan, Xiamen is no doubt the best choice to reflect the theme to people across the Straits that are looking forward to the reunification of the whole nation and eternal peace and prosperity.



Being a non-profit program, the open-air exhibition is totally free to visitors round the clock. In addition to this, free movies about the Second World War are available in the exhibiting areas. Visitors will have the opportunity to review familiar scenes such as the Battles of Landmine, Red Cherry and the Nanjing Massacre.



Auschwitz Eve
(Works NO.004)
A Jewish family of four. The husband hugs his family firmly, looking into the distance with inconsolable grief. His wife, a graceful and slim lady, leans against his shoulder, trying to comfort or seek comfort from her husband. The two frightened children hold their parents tightly, obviously smelling the air of danger, though they may not know what will happen to the family. The following genocide was the most brutal atrocity committed by Nazi forces.

The flying tigers
(Works NO.015)
The image of General Clare Chennault and a flying tiger is one of the most striking works. This great American hero led the AVG (American Volunteers' Group) fight against the Japanese air force in China and Burma, and left behind many miraculous stories. From him, Chinese people learned that they were not alone in the world-wide war against Fascism.

When I was your age
(Works NO.045)
This two-part piece produces a sharp contrast between two young men: one is in shabby clothes and armed with a cartridge belt and a rifle, while the other is wearing a warm and fashionable coat, "armed" with advanced photographing equipment. The former seems to have just come back from a fierce battle, while the latter enjoys his weekend by taking pictures - a peaceful and comfortable life comes at the expense of the hardships of those who came before us.

 

 

Eric Clapton



1945年出生于英国南部的Eric Clapton, 是他那一时代中杰出的英国摇滚吉他演奏家, 特别喜欢与人合作的他曾加入过无数乐队, 其中他在当时已代替了The Rolling Stone乐队的The Yardbirds乐队中担任主音吉他手时, 开始被奉为吉他英雄, 而由于乐队的发展日渐趋向流行, 限制其发展方向, 促使他离开了该乐队.

在相继与几个乐队合作过之后, Eric Clapton与其他两名乐手一同组建了Cream乐队, 从这时起, 不断壮大的Eric Clapton开始被英国布鲁斯歌迷们奉若神明, 而Cream乐队的音乐雄心也激励着Eric Clapton从一个出色的布鲁斯模仿者角色进入到以往在摇滚乐界被忽视的即兴表演的境界.

然而1991年, 不幸的事情降临到了Eric Clapton的头上. 这位在西洋乐坛素有"吉他之神"美誉的杰出人物, 五十多岁方育得一子, 然而造化弄人, 4岁的爱子竟从曼哈顿53楼的窗户意外摔下身亡. Eric Clapton在伤痛之余, 为死去的儿子写了这首他自70年代以来最热销的单曲"Tears in heaven".

Tears in heaven
天堂泪

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
Repeat the 1st paragraph

Vocabulary
genocide 种族灭绝
atrocity 暴行
shabby 破烂的
solidify 使固化
magnificent 壮丽的
coincidence 巧合
ode 颂歌