Chen Chi-Hsiang – Original Image as Form EXCPT: "Original Image as Form" Series No. 6 Detail Acrylic on canvas 114x146cm -80F 2011

Text / Li Ruo-Ying

The elephant is round like a flesh pillar, says he who touched its leg.

The elephant is rough and flat like a wall, says he who touched its belly.

The elephant is long and round like a rope, says he who touched its trunk.

Is the nude woman blasphemy or art?

Is durian a stinky fruit or a delicacy?

Is the metropolis a tumor or civilization?

Are fallen leaves garbage or poetry?

Is bird song noise or heavenly sound?

Eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; touch, dharma, condition, emotion.

What is truth?

What you see is neither real nor unreal, both real and unreal.

What is original image?

What you see is neither form nor appearance, both form and appearance.

You, with a dusty heart—though unnecessary—

Explain everything.

Judge everything.

Blind and deaf to everything.