Call Me Dotty. 叫我古怪。

The not typical fashion designer Sir Paul Smith doesn't like to mix with people working in the fashion industry. With the same mindset, I don’t enjoy going to any of the parties and private views, and pandering to the press all the time like a real typical fashion person does in New York.

I am not a hardcore hermit, but I hardly watch television (I just threw away my 15-year-old TV) and I don't read newspapers and magazines much. I am just the person who relishes the time of being one's true self, and finds it extremely exhilarating to be able to talk to cows, horses, and sheep as one's wish in the Swiss mountains.

When a city person like me feels at ease surrounded by the Swiss nature, every sensation of pleasure is enormously intensified, and several episodes from my hiking journeys have remained fresh in my memory.

A frequent and always wonderful sight was the astonishing number of cow that I passed on in the Jura mountains. They were usually in groups, often with babies alongside, and they never ceased to enthral me. I often amazed myself by the way I behaved when I was certain that there were no other human beings within fifty miles. All my inhabitation would suddenly disappear and I would walk cheerfully towards them shouting, "Hello, cows! Hello! Hello! How are you doing today?" The cows would tilt their heads very slightly with demure yet curious expressions but never ran away.

I could stay in cool lounges and hang out with fashion people–but I am more fascinated by having a joyful "conversation" with animals, that sorts of things that interest Sir Paul Smith, who refers his large brown cuddly monkey as 'the office manager' in his office.

I am often described as "dotty" by my friends in New York. But I take it as a compliment.

Back in Downtown New York! 再回紐約下城！

It is so good to be back to New York! Even though I have spent most of my time in Europe since last year, I embrace New York and see it as my dearly hometown.

Strolling down the streets, I noticed that there are at least ten retail stores are gone due to the downturn of economy in NoLita (North of Little Italy). Large "ON SALE" signs in different colors, shapes, and materials are posted on the windows of shops. The streets are crowded with beautiful people, but they seem to be enjoying the lovely summer breeze better than the fragrant air in fashion boutiques.

The recession is still lingering on. And the scent of recession to me is – beet.

Kandinsky in Color 多彩的康丁斯基

He smiled red when happy with excitement, of course.

And yellow, when at the Bauhaus, he completed his color theory

with new elements of form psychology.

Sometimes blue, when he used musical terms to designate his paintings.

Often cream white with a hint of pink, first thing in the morning.

Black, when the light was off.

Wassily Kandinsky always captures my imagination of colors.

*Poster design by Della Chuang

我﹣上﹣路﹣了！ Off ... I ... Go!

紐約忙碌的生活形態讓我成為一名不折不扣、迅速切實的旅行者。無論是商務或是休閒旅行，我的行囊配備即少又單純。我可以在既定的時間內以迅雷不及掩耳的速度呼嘯抵達美國，瑞士，或者是芬蘭的機場。

一些好奇的朋友們問我如何準備得體的輕裝行囊。在此野人現曝，把個人的旅行傢私簡列如下：
１． 美國服裝品牌J. Crew出品的牛津學院風格的前開襟麻織襯衫：麻織襯衫愈皺愈有味道，配上一條剪裁合宜的牛仔褲便是最安全、最古典的休閒穿著。
２．巴黎著名的棉織品公司﹣小船（Petit Bateau）所設計的T恤：我是該公司產品的忠實粉絲。最愛穿設計給男孩用的圓領T恤。單穿、內搭、室內、室外，樣樣皆宜。
３．紐約服裝設計師譚燕玉(Vivienne Tam)的紗質尼龍長洋裝：譚燕玉愛用的尼龍織品不起皺紋、不佔空間。永不過時又帶點亞洲風格的洋裝可以隨時隨地派上任何用場。
４．義大利Notify的牛仔褲：最愛該品牌古典剪裁、復古洗滌的基本款示。
５．美國Cydwoq的皮製無跟涼鞋：走得舒服、穿得入時，是該品牌高品質的手工藝術的最佳保證。
６．創意混搭的飾品：珠寶飾品不佔空間，又有畫龍點睛之效。
７．迷你小巧的化妝包：香皂，乳液，和香水的小贈品是旅行的最佳搭檔。
８．多功用的圍巾可以在寒冷的機艙和溫暖的沙灘上使用。

最後帶上永遠待命的佳能迷你型相機和蘋果筆記型電腦，我﹣上﹣路﹣了！



My experience of hustle and bustle life in New York City has the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveler. My wants are few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I am in a cab with my luggage, rattling away to the airport of JFK, Zurich, or Helsinki.

Some of my friends are extremely curious about my tip of traveling light without compromising on style. Here is the contents of my luggage at a glance:

1. Oxford linen button down shirt by J. Crew: You can't go wrong with this classic style of shirt in any casual occasions.

2. T-shirt by Petit Bateau: I am a faithful fan of this Parisian cotton company. Short sleeve round neck tee for boy is my must-have to be worn outdoors as well as in.

3. Long mesh dress by Vivienne Tam: Tam's wrinkle-free mesh material doesn't take up too much space in my luggage, and her timeless dress with an Asian twist comes in handy in any different scenarios.

4. Bootleg Jeans by Notify: Classic cut with vintage wash is my favorite.

5. Leather flat sandals by Cydwoq: The high quality of the craftsmanship guarantees a good pair of walking and dress shoes at the same time.

6. Pack accessories that will offer some variety: The benefit with jewelry is that it doesn’t take up a great deal of room in your luggage and can be a great way to add some color to your travel wardrobe.

7. A mini travel cosmetic bag: I love bringing in sample sizes of soap, lotion, and perfume.

8. A multi-use scarf that will keep me warm on chilly flights. I can also wear it to the beach.

I've got my mini Cannon camera and Apple laptop at the ready. Off ... I ...Go!

你能說出多少的盎然綠意？ How many shades of green can you name?

上個禮拜當我獨自信步走在瑞士的鄉間小路上，茵茵、油油、蔥蔥的綠地讓我體驗到大自然是如何的鐘愛這個多山的國家。

放眼所及，盡是青翠碧綠。青蕨，綠樹，長春籐，濃裝艷抹、相應爭「綠」。春光溫柔盈盈，我卻吃力的對著滿山綠地一一點名，深怕褻瀆了瑞士自然的創意美學，我誠惶誠恐地想著自己到底能說出多少的盎然綠意。

Pear
Spring
Dark
Asparagus
Light
Blue
Kelly
Turquoise
Bright
Peacock
Neon
Yellow
Forest
Willow
Moss
Lime
Army
Camouflage
Jungle
Celadon
Olive
Chartreuse
Fern
Emerald
Jade
British Racing
Sea
Tea
Grass
Pine

注：未能將我的英文「綠色」名單翻譯成中文，實在是本人中文程度欠佳。中文讀者們，不好意思了。


How many shades of green can you name?

Last week as I strolled down the paths of the Swiss countryside, I sensed Nature exclusively gives plants their green color with a broad variety of shades in this mountainous country.

Everything is simply more green, the ferns and the trees and the ivy alike. I struggled to name the green while I perceived the nature surroundings in the soft spring sunlight, and wondered how many shades of green I can name?

Pear
Spring
Dark
Asparagus
Light
Blue
Kelly
Turquoise
Bright
Peacock
Neon
Yellow
Forest
Willow
Moss
Lime
Army
Camouflage
Jungle
Celadon
Olive
Chartreuse
Fern
Emerald
Jade
British Racing
Sea
Tea
Grass
Pine

我會輕聲訴說我的愛 I would softly tell my love

我對浪漫主義至信不渝。身為一名無可救藥的浪漫主義者無關好與壞﹣我平日雖然腳踏著實地，但難免有時走神地飄往太虛仙境。

無可救藥的浪漫主義者其實就是不折不扣的理想主義者及多愁善感的逐夢者。我喜歡在自己擬模的真實世界中堆築希望。對我來說，對這個世界絕望的人就是注定要孤寂一生。

秉持浪漫的態度當然不可能解決所有的問題，但是這樣的態度卻能振奮原動力及創意。就以土兒其作家Nazim Hikmet 為例，因政治立場與當局者不同而屢次遭拘捕的他（終其一生為共產黨員），即使進出監獄、流亡海外佔其成人歲月中的絕大部分，依舊悍衛浪漫的信仰，寄情寫詩從未間斷。

Hikmet的浪漫精神對我影響至深。他的詩篇《我會輕聲訴說我的愛》有如月光瀉地，誏我心中有了一分對寫作的明白：即使天下只有一個知音讀者，我還是依然擁抱浪漫，持續創作。

各位先生和女士，現在Hikmet先生將要輕聲訴說他的愛給你們聽：

如果我是一棵梧桐樹，我將安息在它的碧綠濃蔭下
如果我是一本書
即使通宵夜讀千遍也不厭惓
如果我是一支筆我片刻也不願停留在自己的手指中
如果我是一扇門
我迎善拒惡
如果我是一扇窗一扇倘開且無窗簾的窗戶
我將引領這城市進入我的房間
如果我是一個單字
我會招喚美麗及純粹的真理
如果我是一篇短文
我會輕聲訴說我的愛。


I believe in romanticism, and being a hopeless romantic is not a good thing or a bad thing – I may have my feet on the ground, but my soul fly somewhere over the rainbow.

A hopeless romantic is an idealist, and a sentimental dreamer. I like to dream of an actual world in which I can harbor my hopes. To me, those without hope in the real world are condemned to be alone.

A romantic attitude may not solve all our problems, but it is an excitement with motivation, and a pinch of creativity. Take the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet as an example. Although Hikmet was repeatedly arrested for his political beliefs (he was a lifetime communist), he held romanticism up and continued his poetry writing under the stress of spending much of his adult life in prison or in exile.

I own a great deal to the romantic spirit of Hikmet. It is his poem I would softly tell my love that opened my eyes to the soul of writing. He makes me believe that even if there was only one reader paying the attention on my writing, I would continue to write with hope and, love.

Ladies and gentlemen, now I have Mr. Hikmet softly tell you his love:

If I was a plane tree I would rest in its shade
If I was a book
I’d read without being bored on sleepless nights
Pencil I would not want to be even between my own fingers
If I was door
I would open for the good and shut for the wicked
If I was window a wide-open window without curtains
I would bring the city into my room
If I was a word
I’d call out for the beautiful the just the true
If I was word
I would softly tell my love.

寂寞的氣味 Scent of Loneliness

明月一輪。

冷冽的風颳向細細長長的櫸樹，葉片颯颯作響。我凝視著對面灑滿北國月光的鄰家屋頂，靜靜在想，寂寞，到底是什麼氣味？

不能在這麼晚的時間叨擾調香師友人Christophe Laudamiel。對於氣味有著熊熊熱情的他，鐵定會從床上跳下來，拿下筆紙準備與我挑燈夜談。於是我替自己倒了杯紅酒，靜坐獨酌。這時，寂寞的感覺，就像那一絲絲銀白的月光，蹣跚地滲透地包圍過來。慢慢在想，明天，他是不是就可出院回家了。

原來，寂寞的氣味就是等待的滋味。

一期一會: 給我摯愛的讀者

雖然還沒看到我的新書「瓶裝記憶：京都之水」的最後成品（正由臺灣飛往芬蘭的路途中），但是摯愛的臺灣讀者, 我卻樂於暇想在翻書聲伴讀下的你，眼睛是如何好奇地隨它的文字遊移；鼻子又是如何小心翼翼地嗅聞它的京都氣味；當你的手指任意隨性地觸摸它的紋路時，臉部顯現出或驚喜，或感歎，或搐眉，或認同的表情。你知道嗎？由衷感謝你給我這個機會與你一起經驗一期一會的美妙。以下節錄該書短文「一期一會」，也與我海外的讀者們共享：

我得坦承告白一件事，為了吸引你的目光，我熱切地寫下「瓶裝記憶：京都之水」。如此這般，我希望能深得你心並帶你進入我的世界。我承認，我的體內蘊藏著多面性──渴望人們的注目，但不久後又想逃脫躲避那些視線。即便如此，我還是滿心虔誠地學習並親身體驗「一期一會」。

「一期一會」這個概念由千利休提出，他是一位對日本茶道有深遠影響的禪宗和尚。 「一期一會」（按：一期一会）的意思是「一生一次的相遇」，這個字詞具體化了千利休的禪宗信仰──人們的相遇無法複製，所以不可褻瀆。「一期一會」的生活哲學態度是對人生的無常瞭然於胸。我也試著更加心懷感激，徹底盡情地活在當下，避免活得跟螞蟻一樣庸碌，忘記了人與人之間那誠懇真摯的互動。親愛的讀者，這也是我想要和你一起分享的。你知道螞蟻遇見同類時是怎麼「應對進退」的嗎？牠們會暫停，打招呼，再前進。日復一日。可是，我們是人，為什麼我們要遵從所謂的社會禮儀規範，循規蹈矩，墨守成規呢?

每個人的舉手投足、一字一句、四目交接，在在勾勒出對方聖潔的輪廓及眼前一瞬間的永恆無限。如果我們能體會每次的相遇都有可能是最後一次，那麼人生中就不會有「錯過」。

我對「一期一會」深信不疑。想想，我不僅意識到自我的存在，而且也注意到這世界還有一個你，這是何等的美妙！因此我願意敞開胸懷，與你分享我真實的一面──嗨！你這陣子都在做什麼呀？

Ichigo, Ichie

I have a confession to make. I love to write this book in order to attract your attention. And by so doing, I hope to reach out to you and to let you into my mind. I have to admit that I am a concoction of signs – I long to be seen, but then I lose my nerve. However, I strive for the learning and experience of Ichigo Ichie, a concept from Rikyu Sen, a Zen Buddhist who had a profound influence on the Japanese tea ceremony.

Ichigo Ichie (一期一会), meaning literally “one time, one encounter,” embodies Rikyu Sen’s ideal that each meeting between people is sacred, for it can never be reproduced. Here is what I want to share with you: the mindset of Ichigo Ichie appreciates that life is impermanent. As a result, I am trying to be more grateful, trying to live more fully in the present moment, and trying to have real human interactions instead of acting like an ant! You know how ants act when they meet comrade they stop, say hello, and continue for the day. But we are human. Why do we have to live strictly by the rules that we have acquired through social constructs – to adhere to and to follow?

Each gesture, each word, and each eye contact of a human being serves to frame the sacredness of the other and the extraordinary gift of now. And if we understand that every encounter may be the last, we won’t miss the chance.

I believe in Ichigo Ichie, and I think it is lovely that I am not only aware of my own existence but also of yours. Thus, I would like to open up and share who I am with you – Hello! What have you been up to?

The Graphics of Finland IIII: I Simply Know 芬蘭的圖像之四: 我就是曉得．．．

As the neuroscientist Steven Quartz at the California Institute of Technology says, “Our brain is computing value at every fraction of a second. Everything that we look at, we form an implicit preference”.

We see and evaluate everything in our surrounding, and eventually we establish the aesthetics of our own.

Therefore, I don’t have to decide if this image is beautiful. I simply know.

The Graphics of Finland III: Think of The American Artist Ed Ruscha 芬蘭的圖像之三

I am a designer, who photographs a bit.

I like to stroll down on the side-streets of everyday searching for the awareness of real life. I take things as I find them.

In this photo, the industrial complexes reminds me of Ed Ruscha, the American artist who is well-known for his strongly graphic work, such as the most iconic of American typographic expressions, the landmark, and once-temporary-now-permanent HOLLYWOOD sign that symbolizes his hometown to the rest of world.

Of course, there is no trace showing Ruscha's trademarked Americanism message in this photo. But on my first glance of this Finnish landscape, the faceless buildings, the endless gray sky, the flock of crows, the energy towers, and the smoky chimneys stand for anonymity, in the tradition of Ed Ruscha's "neuter gender" Black & White photography created between 1961 and 2001.

Like Ruscha's work, this photo is not something pregnant with meaning, but rather a documentary of my Finnish experience in a visionary manner.

The Graphics of Finland II: The "Green" Sled Design 芬蘭的圖像之二

I love fashion design but I am not a fashionista. I am not here to talk about the season's must-have "green" fashion product out of a brand strategy. We have seen so many sustainable products from bag to shoes to clothes and on and on, emerging from fashion companies jumping on a savvy marketing opportunity. Here, I am just pleased to share a simply wonderful green (sustainable) design with you.

On an icy afternoon in March, I passed Cafe Regatta where I often take my afternoon break. I was heartened when I saw this salvational type of sled dutifully standing by for passengers on the snow. From an aesthetic point of view, this sled is far from a true design sensibility, and is too much of hippie-ness and naive. We all know that no matter how "green" this red sled design is – will not really help combat global warming or reduce our collective carbon footprint. But it was delightful to see that the manner of the builder was paying attention to a simple design with the existing materials from the surrounding. Things with contrast messages always attract me. Take this sled as an example: The red color reveals a green concept; the not-so-cool design warms your heart and makes you smile. After all, a good design doesn't have to come from a big concept.

According to the report from New York Times: some 2,670 new green products were introduced in 2006; the number has almost doubled since then. But the reality is that – most people say they want to do the right thing when making purchasing decisions but not ALL people actually do. However, I think the idea of simply creating more greener products is a good starting point. And the more of us out there doing, the better.

The Graphics of Finland I: Cherries On The Ice 芬蘭的圖像之一

In Alain de Botton's book, The Architecture of Happiness, he mentioned about the French abbot St. Bernard of Clairvaux traveled all the way around Lake Geneva without noticing the beautiful lake was even there. I still can remember how astonished I was when I first read it – Alas, St. Bernard.

As a graphic designer, I truly feel sorry for St. Bernard's determined efforts to scorn visual experience. Nature is divine, and I believe we always can find something more in nature than in books or galleries. Perhaps sensing that Nature is the best creative resource, and that walking has made me discover some significance about myself – I take a walk, rain or shine. Even under the harsh winter climate of Finland, I am bundled-up and march on the snow.

There is no shortage of ideas from Nature in any seasons. One day, while I was walking along the Baltic Sea under the weather of -7°C, my eye got caught by some delicious "cherries" sitting on the top of ice (in fact, they are buoys). I stopped and suddenly realized that I was exploring the discovery of visual analogy: "cherries on the ice" versus "buoys on the water".

Ideas come from anytime and anywhere. I was intrigued by the graphic landscape I saw that day and decided to work on a series of photography project to portrait Finland.

Are You At Home or Somewhere Else? 你在家還是在外頭？

"How Are You?" vs. "Where Are You?"

Since I have been known as a nomad in my circle of friends, I have noticed that most of the messages from my cell phone usually begin with "Where are you?" instead of "How are you?". Frankly, I have no problem with my dear friends being so getting-to-the-point with me, but I found it amusing that modern cell phones have affected our social exchanges. Just like what the American scientist Steven Pinker claims: "We make tools, and as we evolved, our tools make us".

Giving a choice between ideology and cool design , I usually surrender to the first. The substantial, stocky form of home phones (especially from the 60s) exude a sense of mystery, and offer an unexpected experience. But the light, ever-smaller design of cell phones allow people to be connected when they do not wish to be.

Regardless of how "being connected" has become essential to our idea of lifestyle comfort, we all know that the future is not necessarily better. To me, life would be very dull indeed without mysterious, and what would be left to strive for if everything were known?

The Rust of Colorado 科羅拉多的鐵鏽紋路

Somewhere along a highway in Colorado,
I found this car graveyard,
where it became a playground for me that day.

The Composition of Colorado 科羅拉多的圖像解構

Old and new,
big and small,
alive and dead.
The contrast between these two cars
made a striking composition.

The Smell of Colorado 科羅拉多的味道

The car graveyard
smelled of both death and peace.

The Memories of Kyoto 京都的回憶

THE MEMORY OF THE CROWD ON SANJO-DORI

In the hot Kyoto afternoon,
the old puppeteer with his puppet
and the audience
reflected so much of the history and charm
of this thousand-year-old city.


三条通眾生像的記憶
京都夏日炎炎的午後
年邁的傀儡師傅與木偶
還有他的觀眾，
忠實地反映出
千年古都的歷史與魅力。

The Memories of Kyoto 京都的回憶

THE MEMORY OF THE KIMONO

Nothing was moving
but the scent of kimono
and the shutter of my Canon.

和服的記憶
闐靜無聲
除了
和服餘韻
以及
快門的咔嚓聲響。

The Memories of Kyoto 京都的回憶

町屋的記憶
古老的寺廟與遠近馳名的庭園
也許能為古都的純淨靈魂定下註解，
但木造町屋那經歲月渲染過的幽暗門面，
才是古都的精髓所在。

THE MEMORY OF MACHIYA
The ancient temples and famous garden
may define the rarefied soul of the old capital,
but the dark façades of machiya
are the marrow of its bones.

Scented Memory

芬芳的記憶
我喜歡他從花園摘了朵嫣紅山茶花給我的時候；喜歡他用老式唱機播放台語或日本歌謠的時候；喜歡他騎腳踏車帶我出去閒晃兜風的時候；喜歡他用芒果核為我做發條玩具的時候。看完醫生以後，我喜歡他買熱烘烘剛剛出爐的葡萄乾麵包給我，讓我不再嚎啕大哭。我喜歡坐在他的大腿上，聽著他與朋友的閒話家常。還是個小女孩的時候，我喜歡嚷著要他做馬給我騎，或是賴在他身邊，聞聞他身上的味道，碰碰他上了髮蠟的黑髮。

而我最最喜歡的，是在他拿著毛筆寫書法時坐在他旁邊，滿心崇拜的看著他。好幾次的午後黃昏，他盤腿坐在榻榻米上，靠著矮桌練習書法，我則正襟危坐地在旁磨墨，當一個恪盡職守的小書僮。每當他寫完一張宣紙，我就會立刻替他換上新的。我們是一對缺一無二、合作無間的好拍檔。跟他那麼親近，就連那獨特刺鼻的墨汁味也讓我舒暢開懷。

幾年後某個溫柔的夜晚，在京都某間餐廳的木板陽台上獨酌的我，欣賞著遙遠天邊那一輪明月和點點繁星。當我的目光冷不防地飄向清酒瓶上的標籤，那優美的毛筆書法讓我陡然間聞到一股渴望的味道。就在這味道潛入我的嗅覺記憶，緩緩綻放的那一剎那，父親毛筆字跡所散發的芬芳，立即瀰漫空中。

人生的前八年，我們一起度過許多美好的時光。我深愛著他，也唯有隱含著父親的芬芳記憶，才能重新喚起這些往日時光。

Scented Memory
I loved it when he picked a big red camellia for me from the garden, and when he played Taiwanese or Japanese folk songs from the old record player. I loved it when he took me out for a bicycle ride, and when he hand-made winding toys for me from mango seeds. I loved it when he bought me fresh resin buns to stop me crying after a doctor’s visit, and I loved to sit on his lap to listen to his conversation with his friends. When I was a little girl, I loved to ask for a horseback ride or to lie down next to him, to smell his smell, and to touch his waxed black hair.

But what I loved most was sitting by his side and watching with heartfelt admiration as he was writing Chinese calligraphy with a brush. On many a late afternoon, as he sat on the tatami and practiced calligraphy on a low desk, I would grind an ink stick on a grinding stone to prepare ink for him. Each time he filled one sheet of rice paper, I would move the sheet and place a new one in front of him right away. Together we made a good team, and being so close to him, even the peculiar smell of the ink made me happy.

Years later, on a balmy evening on the deck of a restaurant in Kyoto, I was having a drink and gazing at the full moon and the stars. The beautiful calligraphy on the label of the sake bottle caught my eye, and suddenly I smelled the longing. And that first stab of longing came with the scent of my father’s writing.

For the first eight years of my life, we shared many wonderful moments. I loved him dearly, and nothing brings back these moments like my scented memories of our happiness.