Documentary on porcelain proves a smash-hit
By Xu Wei |
May 26, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PORCELAIN has long been inseparable from Chinese history and culture - look no further than the fact that the delicate ceramic is known as china in English-speaking countries.
Yet there are few screen productions exploring the relationship between porcelain and the country.
But recently Noel Wong, a passionate Hong Kong collector of porcelain and watches, joined up with director Ray Mak to make documentary "Soul of China."
The end result shows how ceramists pour their passion and expertise into their work to create masterpieces.
"Soul of China" has proved a hit in industry awards, winning the Silver World Medal at the 2013 New York Festivals Television and Film Awards in the Documentary category.
Wong says that through "Soul of China" he hopes to share with the world the beauty of Chinese art and culture in an accessible way.
"Whether you are an enthusiast or a novice, the documentary will provide you with an inimitable experience in exploring beauty," he said.
Wong started out as a journalist and was a correspondent in Pakistan right after the 9/11 attack.
Wong spoke to Shanghai Daily about his passion for Chinese crafts and collecting.
Q: What inspired you to make "Soul of China"?
A: As a Chinese, I would like to see our heritage pass from generation to generation. People nowadays have less patience than our ancestors, and are more profit-driven. They strive to find a quick way to earn money, and traditional time-consuming skills have become less popular. We have 5,000 years of history and a rich culture. I hope that "Soul of China" can inspire people, particularly the young, to treasure this.
Q: Were you surprised with your success at the New York Television and Film Awards?
A: The award came as a pleasant surprise and was recognition of the dedication and perseverance of the crew.
Q: What message do you seek to convey in the film?
A: "Soul of China" seeks to lead its audience to explore life through art. For thousands of years, artisans have poured the soul of China into their creations in the kiln: a masterpiece is created in the destructive force of fire. This seemingly paradoxical process is a metaphor for life.
Q: Do you have any mainland screening plans for the film in the future?
A: Not at the moment, but I hope the mainland audience will have a chance to enjoy this documentary in the near future.
Q: You are considered one of Hong Kong's most passionate collectors of antique porcelain as well as watches. How did you take up this interest?
A: Perhaps, this is what I call destiny. I worked at Sotheby's as the department head of watches for the Asia Pacific region in 2006. Even though I focused on watches, my colleagues from the ceramics department were willing to teach me about their area.
I also met ceramics dealers and learnt from them. The more I understand, the more I am fascinated about the craftsmanship.
Q: How many pieces have you collected?
A: My collection is small. I use the word "fate" to describe the relationships between me and the works. They're looking for a good home, and coincidently, I am the good home for them.
Q: What is the unique charm of Chinese porcelain?
A: The Chinese way to create a piece of porcelain is unique. A piece of porcelain cannot be made by only one person. It involves numerous procedures. Every step in creating a piece of exquisite porcelain requires the handling of one or many masters and craftsmen. The end product is the combination of perfections.
Q: How does Chinese culture reflect its art?
A: Chinese art is inseparable from its history or religion and philosophy. During the dynasties there were no distinctive artists, but the system nurtured grand craftsmen who served the emperors.
Q: Is it hard for an ordinary person to collect works of art?
A: Time is a must but money is not necessary. Collecting is not simply about possessing but the understanding of the collection's history, culture and craftsmanship. That is the most interesting part.
Q: What are your future plan for your collections?
A: Treasure them.
Q: Do you have plans for more films on traditional art?
A: I don't have any concrete plan but when the time comes, you will know.
Yet there are few screen productions exploring the relationship between porcelain and the country.
But recently Noel Wong, a passionate Hong Kong collector of porcelain and watches, joined up with director Ray Mak to make documentary "Soul of China."
The end result shows how ceramists pour their passion and expertise into their work to create masterpieces.
"Soul of China" has proved a hit in industry awards, winning the Silver World Medal at the 2013 New York Festivals Television and Film Awards in the Documentary category.
Wong says that through "Soul of China" he hopes to share with the world the beauty of Chinese art and culture in an accessible way.
"Whether you are an enthusiast or a novice, the documentary will provide you with an inimitable experience in exploring beauty," he said.
Wong started out as a journalist and was a correspondent in Pakistan right after the 9/11 attack.
Wong spoke to Shanghai Daily about his passion for Chinese crafts and collecting.
Q: What inspired you to make "Soul of China"?
A: As a Chinese, I would like to see our heritage pass from generation to generation. People nowadays have less patience than our ancestors, and are more profit-driven. They strive to find a quick way to earn money, and traditional time-consuming skills have become less popular. We have 5,000 years of history and a rich culture. I hope that "Soul of China" can inspire people, particularly the young, to treasure this.
Q: Were you surprised with your success at the New York Television and Film Awards?
A: The award came as a pleasant surprise and was recognition of the dedication and perseverance of the crew.
Q: What message do you seek to convey in the film?
A: "Soul of China" seeks to lead its audience to explore life through art. For thousands of years, artisans have poured the soul of China into their creations in the kiln: a masterpiece is created in the destructive force of fire. This seemingly paradoxical process is a metaphor for life.
Q: Do you have any mainland screening plans for the film in the future?
A: Not at the moment, but I hope the mainland audience will have a chance to enjoy this documentary in the near future.
Q: You are considered one of Hong Kong's most passionate collectors of antique porcelain as well as watches. How did you take up this interest?
A: Perhaps, this is what I call destiny. I worked at Sotheby's as the department head of watches for the Asia Pacific region in 2006. Even though I focused on watches, my colleagues from the ceramics department were willing to teach me about their area.
I also met ceramics dealers and learnt from them. The more I understand, the more I am fascinated about the craftsmanship.
Q: How many pieces have you collected?
A: My collection is small. I use the word "fate" to describe the relationships between me and the works. They're looking for a good home, and coincidently, I am the good home for them.
Q: What is the unique charm of Chinese porcelain?
A: The Chinese way to create a piece of porcelain is unique. A piece of porcelain cannot be made by only one person. It involves numerous procedures. Every step in creating a piece of exquisite porcelain requires the handling of one or many masters and craftsmen. The end product is the combination of perfections.
Q: How does Chinese culture reflect its art?
A: Chinese art is inseparable from its history or religion and philosophy. During the dynasties there were no distinctive artists, but the system nurtured grand craftsmen who served the emperors.
Q: Is it hard for an ordinary person to collect works of art?
A: Time is a must but money is not necessary. Collecting is not simply about possessing but the understanding of the collection's history, culture and craftsmanship. That is the most interesting part.
Q: What are your future plan for your collections?
A: Treasure them.
Q: Do you have plans for more films on traditional art?
A: I don't have any concrete plan but when the time comes, you will know.
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