In collaboration with Bard College Conservatory of Music, M+ Museum, South China Normal University, and the Tianjin Juilliard School, this creative exchange project explored the aesthetic affinities and innovative potential of Ink Art and New Music. Through lectures, mentorships, commissions, and performances, this multi-phase series fostered meaningful conversations and inspired new compositions, connecting creative, knowledgeable, and curious minds. In recognition of its impact, the project received the HKU Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award in 2023.
Phase one of the project was commenced in September 2021 with four virtual lectures, conducted in a masterclass style, on composing for mixed ensembles inspired by ink art. Dr. Lesley Ma (M+, Hong Kong), Dr. Yeung-ping Chen (South China Normal University), Prof. Chan Hing-yan (HKU), and Dr. Yiwen Shen (The Tianjin Juilliard School) each delivered a lecture to their mentees, the four outstanding composition students selected from Bard and HKU.
Phase two was a two-day conference titled 'Ink and Sound: a Conference on Chinese Music and Visual Arts', held at the Bard Conservatory in the U.S. in April 2022. Inspired by the Ink Art Collection of M+ Museum, the new compositions by the selected students and their mentors were premiered by musicians of the Bard Conservatory during the conference.
In Phase three, these seven new works for mixed Chinese and Western instruments received their Asian Premiere in Hong Kong by the aspiring young talents of Ensemble Traversée. Images of the select artworks were digitally projected to enhance the audience's experience with ink and sound. Bringing the project to its culmination, audiences were invited to experience this finale and open their minds to a novel, cross-genre, cross-cultural perspective.
全新系列《水墨藝術與新音樂》由美國巴德音樂學院﹑M+博物館﹑華南師範大學﹑天津茱莉亞學院，以及香港大學音樂系與繆思樂季共同籌劃，是一個跨領域及跨文化創意教育項目。匯聚作曲家、學者、藝術家、作曲系學生、及學生樂團，通過一系列講座、工作坊、學術會議、及首演音樂會，探索水墨藝術和現代音樂的美學異同，開拓欣賞中西藝術的視野。為表彰其文化影響，該項目於 2023 年榮獲香港大學「學院知識交流獎」。
首階段於2021年9月展開，四場網上講座請來M+水墨策展人馬唯中博士、華南師範大學陳仰平博士、香港大學音樂系陳慶恩教授，以及天津茱莉亞學院沈逸文博士主講，指導四位選自美國巴德音樂學院和香港大學音樂系的作曲學生，以水墨畫為靈感，為中西混合室內樂譜出新作。
第二階段的研討會於2022年4月在美國巴德音樂學院舉行，作曲學生及導師以水墨畫為靈感的七首新作由巴德音樂學院中西混合室內樂團進行首演。
第三階段於2022年9月舉行，這些新作登陸香港大學作亞洲首演。樂曲皆取材自香港M+博物館的水墨館藏，並由Ensemble Traversée的一眾年輕亞洲樂手現場演出。各幅賦予作曲家靈感的水墨畫亦於音樂會現場投影，讓觀眾同時欣賞新音樂和當代水墨藝術，開拓視聽新維度，並見證這跨地域、跨媒介藝術交流的完滿成果。
Phase I 第一階段
【Virtual Lecture I】Introduction to Ink Art through the Lens of M+, Hong Kong
【網上講座一】從香港M+的角度認識水墨藝術
13 SEP 2021 | MON | 8:30PM
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【Virtual Lecture II】Development of Mixed Ensemble Music
【網上講座二】中西混合室內樂的演進
20 SEP 2021 | MON | 8:30PM
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【Virtual Lecture III】Traditions as Constraints or Resources?
【網上講座三】傳統是限制還是泉源？
12 OCT 2021 | TUE | 8:30PM
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【Virtual Lecture IV】Conversations Between the Western and Chinese Instruments in Selected Works
【網上講座四】淺析幾首作品中，中西樂器的對話
19 OCT 2021 | TUE | 8:30PM
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Phase II 第二階段
INK AND SOUND: a Conference on Chinese Music and Visual Arts
研討會
【Zoom Webinar】About the Art and New Music Project
【網上講座】關於《水墨藝術與新音樂》交流項目
8 APR 2022 | FRI | 9–11PM
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【Live-Concert Streaming I】Ink and Sound: Student Composers' Premieres
【直播音樂會1】《水墨藝術與新音樂》學生作品首演
9 APR 2022 | SAT | 7–8AM
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【Live-Concert Streaming II】Ink and Sound: Faculty Composers' Commissioned Premieres
【直播音樂會2】《水墨藝術與新音樂》導師委約作品首演
10 APR 2022 | SUN | 8–9:30AM
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Phase III 第三階段
Ink Art & New Music: New Works by Faculty and Student Composers
水墨藝術與新音樂：項目導師及作曲學生新作品
30 SEP 2022 | FRI | 8PM
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