陳其寬：雙曲．交響 Chen Chi-kwan: The Duet between Arts and Architecture

「陳先生臨終前用微弱的聲音對我說：「God knows the truth, but wait.」，重復三次。我當時不明白他心中欲表達的，考驗著我的智慧，但我感覺有一種使命感能為他做些什麼？我先從先夫留下的歷史文件開始整理，十多年來從未停歇，過程也遇到了不少的挫折，我並沒有放棄，我的動力出於使命，冥冥中有上帝的旨意安排。今天看到許多至親好友為他工作，我打從心裏感激不盡。  --2024年3月18日，陳其寬遺孀—林芙美女士」

適逢陳其寬（1921-2007）百餘歲冥誕之際，臺南市美術館隆重推出「陳其寬：雙曲．交響」紀念展，以「生活」、「目光心象」、「宇宙」及「建築與家庭」等四大主題，精心呈現陳其寬一生的建築與藝術成就。同時，以「世界地圖」展現陳其寬生平橫跨歐、亞、美、非洲等地的足跡與建築作品，探尋陳其寬在戰後如何透過留學、工作、旅行與創作，逐步以現代性的精神建立個人風格。

展覽名稱中的「雙曲」，不僅象徵著陳其寬在建築與水墨雙重領域中的豐碩成果，同時與1950年代盛行於世界的「薄殼雙曲」現代建築概念相呼應。藉由視覺的、聽覺的、記憶式的鋪陳，感受其建築與藝術創作之間的交響之美。展場以東方園林式的門窗、白牆及動態造景，體現步移景動般的空間感，使觀眾深刻體會隱藏在陳其寬基因深處的文化特性與魅力。

「陳其寬：雙曲．交響」在藝術家家屬及其摯友們的大力支持之下，特別從美國夏威夷、香港、新加坡及國內各地商借珍貴藏品，更與東海大學創意設計暨藝術學院建築系攜手合作，在參觀展覽之餘，亦能透過座談會及校園走讀等教育推廣活動，親臨陳其寬來臺初始時所規畫的校園建築景觀，體驗其中的空間美學及布局巧思。展覽的舉辦既是向陳其寬致敬，也是對其經典作品的再認識。期待透過這場藝術之旅，邀請觀眾跨入陳其寬的生命歷程，探索這位文人建築師、藝術家非凡的品格與前衛的藝術風采。

"Mr. Chen, in his final moments, whispered to me in a faint voice, 'God knows the truth, but wait,' repeating it three times. At that time, I did not fully understand what he wanted to express, testing my wisdom. However, I felt a sense of duty, wondering what I could do for him. I started by organizing the historical documents left by my late husband, and for over a decade, I have never stopped. The process encountered many setbacks, but I did not give up. My motivation comes from a sense of duty, guided by the divine will of God. Today, seeing many close friends and relatives working for him, I am deeply grateful from the bottom of my heart." - March 18, 2024, Mrs. Lin Fu-Mei, widow of Chen Chi-Kuan.

In commemoration of the centenary of Chen Chi-Kuan (1921-2007), the Tainan Art Museum proudly presents the "Chen Chi-kwan: The Duet between Arts and Architecture" memorial exhibition. It meticulously showcases Chen Chi-Kuan's lifelong achievements in architecture and art under four major themes: "Life," "Gaze and Imagination," "Cosmos," and "Architecture and Family." Simultaneously, it uses a "World Map" to illustrate Chen Chi-Kuan's life journey across Europe, Asia, America, Africa, and his architectural works, exploring how he gradually established his personal style with a modern spirit post-war through studying abroad, working, traveling, and creating.

The term "Confluence of Curves" in the exhibition's title not only symbolizes Chen Chi-Kuan's fruitful accomplishments in both architecture and ink painting but also echoes the prevalent modern architectural concept of "Thin-Shell Structures" from the 1950s worldwide. Through visual, auditory, and memory-based arrangements, visitors can experience the symphonic beauty between his architectural and artistic creations. The exhibition space embodies a sense of shifting scenes with Eastern garden-style doors, windows, white walls, and dynamic landscapes, allowing the audience to deeply appreciate the cultural characteristics and charm hidden in Chen Chi-Kuan's genes.

"Chen Chi-kwan: The Duet between Arts and Architecture," with the strong support of the artist's family and dear friends, has specially borrowed precious collections from various places such as Hawaii, Hong Kong, Singapore, and domestically. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Department of Architecture at Tung Hai University's College of Creative Design and Arts, besides visiting the exhibition, visitors can also participate in educational outreach activities like seminars and campus tours. They can experience the spatial aesthetics and layout ingenuity planned by Chen Chi-Kuan at the beginning of his time in Taiwan, turning this exhibition into both a tribute to Chen Chi-Kuan and a rediscovery of his classic works. We look forward to inviting the audience on this artistic journey, delving into Chen Chi-Kuan's life journey and exploring the extraordinary character and avant-garde artistic style of this literary architect and artist.