A Date with Artists - The Playful Photographer and Calligrapher Lin Taiping
Calligrapher Lin Taiping shows me his calligraphy "Auspiciousness" like a mischievous child.
Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. Lin (Bo) Taiping is an enigmatic figure who positions himself as a pagan, possessing a unique attitude toward art. He is overflowing with talent, full of ideas, and bursting with creativity. Small in stature with a mustache hanging from his mouth, his mind remains forever young; he is eccentric and avant-garde (one of the few in Taiwan who can truly be called avant-garde). He is not only a playful photographer but also a gifted calligrapher, known for his original fonts and experimental writing that transcends traditional calligraphy. His calligraphy is impressive, dynamic, and awe-inspiring. He masters both imagery and calligraphy, entirely self-taught.
In fact, Taiping has more than just two tricks up his sleeve—he has twelve. He takes all things in the universe as his teachers, demonstrating his macro perspective and vision. He sees through life and holds unique insights into living. As he says, "Laughing at the world's trivial matters, eating, drinking, playing, and having fun without fuss," which inspires admiration for his broad-mindedness. With a heavy destiny and boundless courage, he fears nothing and has no taboos.
He enjoys humor and criticism, living freely and cheerfully. His whimsical, unfiltered, and sharp words are fierce. For instance, he severely criticized the Taiwan Photography Association for failing to learn photography, and did not spare those practicing or claiming to be calligraphers either. He remarked, "It is truly hard work for moderns to copy the ancients, yet Wang Xizhi is visible everywhere," or "Copying and tracing is truly interesting, but ultimately it’s just a photocopier." His critiques of photography and calligraphy were merciless and incisive, biting at the system and lineage, making those who blindly follow tradition grit their teeth. To his admirers, he is dear; to his detractors, he is annoying. His profound insights embody an indescribable avant-garde artistic spirit.