“无中之物——张子康＆Paolo Fraternali作品展”将于明日在意大利佛罗伦萨开幕

此次展览呈现两位艺术家近年来饱含情趣与深思的创作，为观众带来一场融合哲学意蕴的视觉与思想之旅。

（文/傅森）

From Nothing……

Creating ‘matter’ from ‘nothing’ means bringing tangible existence out of complete emptiness or void. This concept is often used in philosophy or creative fields to express the process of bringing something into being from nothing. It applies to areas like artistic creation, the formation of ideas, and even discussions of the origin of the universe, exploring how new things can emerge without any foundational basis. It emphasizes creativity and the ability to bring reality forth from the void.

The exhibition borrows the concept of "creating something from nothing" from Chinese philosophy。In Chinese philosophy, “creating something from nothing” (无中生有) is a core idea, especially in Daoist thought, where it holds profound meaning. In the Daoist classic Dao De Jing, Laozi proposes that “The Dao produces one, one produces two, two produce three, and three produce all things,” meaning that everything originates from the Dao—a formless, nameless, and intangible primal state. This expresses a cosmology in which existence arises from non-existence, embodying the concept of “creating something from nothing.”

This idea emphasizes a natural, spontaneous process of creation that does not rely on external forces or predetermined forms. Daoist philosophy suggests that the formless Dao possesses boundless potential, from which all tangible things emerge. Therefore, “nothing” not only signifies emptiness but also a state of limitless possibility, serving as the source and starting point of all creation.

In Zen Buddhism, “nothingness” is also regarded as a state beyond concepts and language, one that can be experienced through meditation and the practice of reaching a state of “emptiness,” thereby encountering the essence of existence. Thus, “creating something from nothing” not only pertains to the origin of the universe but also to the process of inner self-discovery. It represents an expression of wisdom that transcends material form and directly touches upon the essence of reality.

The artwork of Paolo Fraternali presents a unique “object-image,” a visual language distilled from the depths of his inner world. Unlike traditional abstract art, which often deconstructs and reconstructs tangible objects to convey abstract ideas, Paolo’s creations take an opposite approach. He begins from a formless, internal space, bringing forth elements that do not exist in the external world and embodying them in layered compositions that materialize the “unseen” through concrete forms.

This creative process is especially evident in his prints and paintings, where Paolo avoids relying on a single print form. Instead, he employs various shapes and forms, repeatedly layering and interweaving them, and even embedding disparate materials directly into the canvas. This multi-layered, multi-media approach infuses his works with depth and visual tension, as if each stroke and each layer seeks to captuwre and release an undefined “object-image” from within. Through this method, Paolo Fraternali constructs a distinctive artistic realm that bridges the intangible and the tangible, inviting viewers to explore often-overlooked inner landscapes and latent emotional layers.

Zhang Zikang's works often embody a state of "selflessness" and "non-action," reflecting the Daoist pursuit of harmony between nature and humanity. His creative process seems to transcend into the realm of "Dao follows nature," discarding deliberate expressions of external forms. In a state of complete self-forgetfulness, inspiration flows naturally and bursts forth through vibrant brushstrokes.