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Lot Essay
Nothing in the Heart (Lot 429) is in relation to Clear Soul of 2002, and continuation of Noumenon of Contrast of 2004, these three works are filled with transcendental senses of clarity, purity, and innocence. Clear Soul is figuratively speaking for a place without worries which could only be attained if people keep a mind as pure as that of a new born baby before they are able to become careless and lie down on the crystal clear water. The Noumenon of Contrast responds to it as an echo, calling forth the dual forgetfulness which permits one to escape the limits of material reality and corporeality as anchors to the frightful soul, revealing the endless sea of consciousness as ever closer to our humanism.
The unadulterated mind in Nothing in the Heart was inspired by Li Chen's personal experience. Having traveled through the Central Cross-Island Highway in Taiwan, Li Chen witnessed the magnificent scenes of Tienhsiang and Taroko, and bathed in cold or hot spring in torrential valleys; the artist was profoundly impressed by the precipitous terrain as cliff on both sides connected at the bottom to form a deep gorge. He raised his head to see the majestic mountain peaks amidst clouds, withdrew his eyes to gaze at the shimmering undercurrent, while a heavy mist turned surroundings into a bottomless abyss, just like where our heart is kept hidden. The person from the artwork traverses between the faintly discernible mist and cloud of Taroko, oblivious of oneself, with hands and toes dip into chilly water. The artist has successfully revealed a refreshing touch of cool water, and full aesthetic expression through resonating tranquil sleep with glistening light. In terms of this inimitable sculptural achievement, Li Chen has managed to capture the flow of water in its utter absence, and reflection, the solid and liquid in mutual contrast, as the perfect synergistic harmony of the noumemon of reality and phenomenon of virtuality.
The unadulterated mind in Nothing in the Heart was inspired by Li Chen's personal experience. Having traveled through the Central Cross-Island Highway in Taiwan, Li Chen witnessed the magnificent scenes of Tienhsiang and Taroko, and bathed in cold or hot spring in torrential valleys; the artist was profoundly impressed by the precipitous terrain as cliff on both sides connected at the bottom to form a deep gorge. He raised his head to see the majestic mountain peaks amidst clouds, withdrew his eyes to gaze at the shimmering undercurrent, while a heavy mist turned surroundings into a bottomless abyss, just like where our heart is kept hidden. The person from the artwork traverses between the faintly discernible mist and cloud of Taroko, oblivious of oneself, with hands and toes dip into chilly water. The artist has successfully revealed a refreshing touch of cool water, and full aesthetic expression through resonating tranquil sleep with glistening light. In terms of this inimitable sculptural achievement, Li Chen has managed to capture the flow of water in its utter absence, and reflection, the solid and liquid in mutual contrast, as the perfect synergistic harmony of the noumemon of reality and phenomenon of virtuality.