Thursday, October 19, 2006

十九歲


兒子剛剛過了第一個我們不在他身旁的生日。他十九歲了。這相片大約是十年前吧?也記不清楚了。

只知道他正走上一個新的生命歷程......我們也是......

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Old Friend in Rome


If you exit the Pantheon to the right and then turn immediately to the right again, you will come to the piazza della Minerva, where Bernini’s famous Elephant Carrying an Obelisk is. Turn left down the winding street, just before you reach via del Corso, you will find Galleria Doria Pamphilj*, not far from piazza Venezia.

 Don’t let the ordinary wooden white gates fool you. Inside, you will find an abundance of visual treasure that you will not regret risking the trip. And my “Old Friend” too. This is where I first become acquainted with “Rest on the Flight into Egypt” by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Milan, September 29, 1571—Porto Ercole, July 18, 1610).

 Let me explain. I first found this painting when my wife and I spent our honeymoon in Rome (but that’s a different story). I was so struck by the beauty and theme of the painting that I simply cannot forget it. It wasn’t until 30 years’ later that I was able to come back and visit my Old Friend. Despite the years, it still retained its glory and charm. Except now it has a room to itself with all the modern security features and lighting.

 Why am I attracted to this painting? Well, it’s hard to put into words. Perhaps it is the perfect blend of classicism with naturalism which made such a breathtaking entry into the art world in the late 16th century (the painting in fact was an early work of Caravaggio, in 1598, to be precise; it was the first biblical painting of the artist). Perhaps it is the allegory relationship between music and religion, two subjects which I find myself unable to fathom. Then and now. Or the contrast and exchange between youth and old age, a favourite theme of Caravaggio.

 Or perhaps it is the mysterious and rebellious life story of the painter which fascinates me. It is only recently that we learnt that Caravaggio was born in Milan and not in Caravaggio, where his family owned some property. Roman judicial records from 1600 to 1606 tell us a story of duels and brawls and constant brushes with the law. He was forced to flee from Rome after committing murder. His life as a fugitive marked his downfall when he eventually died a young man of 39, in 1610, in a desperate attempt to reach Rome from the prisons of the Spanish enclave of Porto Ercole.

 But what does it matter? A good painting is a good painting. I even have a replica of it hanging on the wall of the stairs to my dinning room at home. I have it as a screensaver on all my computers. And I dream about it when I am stuck in the chamber of LegCo, being forced to listen to endless rigmarole. It is like an old friend to me. I certainly look forward to going back to Rome when I can visit him again, though I know not when. But if you go back before I do, please pay a visit to him and let me know how he is doing.

* The gallery of Pamphilj is a private museum housed in the palace of the Pamphilj family. There is an admission charge and the museum is not open everyday, so you will need to check before you go.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

歷史是重要的.........(History Matters)

英 國有近千所古堡及古老大宅。這些都是皇室、貴族及富商遺留下來的國寶。大多數這些國寶都是由一個叫國家信託(National Trust)的組織保留及保養,盡量將這些大宅回復昔日的光輝,開放給國民欣賞。如果你花大約四十鎊成為會員,你可以全年免費參觀所有這些城堡、大宅與及 它們的御花園。在這些大宅裏,你可以看到古代的宮庭式的裝修、無價的書畫、各式各樣的古董。最令人感嘆的,是差不多每所大宅都必然有中國的奇珍異寶,有的 更有整個房間,甚至整層樓以中國為裝修主題。
想中國歷史比英國長久,古老宮殿與豪宅肯定比英國的多出何止幾百倍!但今天可見到的卻是何其稀有?
今天英國的國家信託正推行一個叫「歷史是重要的(History Matters)」的運動,希望喚起國民愛護歷史古物之心。我們的特區在這方面又做過什麽、出過多少力?我們的歷史遺物又在那裏?
沒錯,歷史是重要的.........特別是我們的歷史.........

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

避世漁港

英國的鄉郊是出名的懶洋洋得來更覺迷人。在這裡,最大的問題可能是:今天想吃那一種海產?Mussels or seabass?這一刻,香港是那麽的遙遠........