《坐埋同一条船》

Bound Together on This Boat

Installation, 2024

第二届“艺术在樵山—广东南海大地艺术节 2024”已于 2024年 11 月 16 日正式开幕。本届“广东南海大地艺术节”的策展主题为“水係南海”，等同于“水就是南海”的意思。它通过一个预设，希望人们带着好奇，带着猜想和探问，再一次走近南海，在不断接触具体物象的过程中，感知背后的哲思与抱负。

南海地处西江、北江下游，拥有北村、官山等八大水系，近 2000 公里的水网河道，相较于首届“广东南海大地艺术节”，本届艺术节通过“跳村游”的方式，将西樵镇、九江镇等 10 个区域串联起了，新增 4 段艺术龙舟水上游线，为观众游客增强风土接触、提升观览体验。

The second land art festival "Art at Qiaoshan – Art Field Nanhai Guangdong 2024" officially opened on November 16, 2024. The curatorial theme of the art festival is "Be Like Water," signifying that water is intrinsic to Nanhai. The theme sets forth a premise, inviting people to approach Nanhai with curiosity, speculation, and inquiry, rediscovering the region through tangible encounters and experiencing the underlying philosophical reflections and aspirations.

Located in the lower reaches of the Xijiang and Beijiang rivers, Nanhai boasts eight major water systems, including Beicun and Guanshan, with nearly 2,000 kilometers of waterways. Compared to the previous one, it expands its scope through "village-hopping tours," linking 10 areas, including Xiqiao Town and Jiuliang Town, and introducing four new artistic dragon boat water routes to enhance audience engagement and viewing experiences.

经过四个月的筹备、五次线下实地考察与走访，陈粉丸的新作《坐埋同一条船》正式于“艺术在樵山—广东南海大地艺术节2024”亮相。本届艺术节呈现了来自全球 30 多个国家和地区近 200 位艺术节的艺术创作，其中 95% 为委托场域创作。这也是粉丸第二次受邀参加“广东南海大地艺术节”，在两年前的首届艺术节中，粉丸在南海西樵镇中的太平墟区域呈现了其在地创作作品《阿墙》和《大地窗花》。

After four months of preparation and five on-site field trips, Chen Fenwan's new work, Bound Together on This Boat, debuts at “Art Field Nanhai Guangdong 2024”. This year, the art festival showcases works by nearly 200 artists from over 30 countries and regions, with 95% of the pieces being site-specific commissions. This marks Chen’s second invitation to participate in the festival; in the inaugural exhibition two years ago, she presented Hello, Walls and Papercut on the Earth’s Window as site-specific works in Taipingxu, Xiqiao Town, Nanhai.

今年，陈粉丸的创作场域位于佛山市南海区九江镇。九江镇依水而建、依水而兴，九江龙舟文化因独特的地理环境和生活条件等历史传承的影响而名扬天下。7 月，粉丸受邀前往九江璜矶村，亲身体验九江龙舟文化的丰富内涵。她乘坐龙舟沿着艺术节后续将开辟的水上游线巡游，沿途感受着九江河网的水乡魅力。两岸古树与村舍倒影交织，朴实的村民向行进的龙船挥手问好。游览途中，村民和工作人员向粉丸介绍九江龙舟的悠久历史与独特传统。从祈求风调雨顺的祭祀仪式到激烈精彩的龙舟竞渡，龙舟不单单是一项体育竞技，更是乡村社群凝聚力的象征。

粉丸以水域为脉络，循江而行，借古老的九江龙舟民俗文化为根基，设计了“九江镇国风园-璜矶社区-河清社区”这条水上游览线路的 8 艘运营艺术龙舟。此外，粉丸还创作一艘极具个人特色的当代龙舟艺术作品《坐埋同一条船》，正微微摇曳于古烟桥的氤氲中。

This year, Chen Fenwan’s work is set in Jiujiang Town, Nanhai District, Foshan. Built and thriving along the water, Jiujiang Town is renowned for its traditional dragon boat culture, shaped by its unique geographical and historical heritage. In July, Chen was invited to Huangji Village in Jiujiang, where she immersed herself in the rich traditions of Jiujiang’s dragon boat culture. She toured the future festival water routes by dragon boat, experiencing the charm of Jiujiang’s river network firsthand. Ancient trees and village dwellings reflected on the water’s surface, and local villagers waved warmly as the boat passed. During the tour, villagers and staff shared with Chen the long-standing history and unique traditions of Jiujiang dragon boats. From ritualistic ceremonies praying for favorable weather to the exhilarating dragon boat races, dragon boating is not merely a competitive sport but a symbol of communal solidarity.

Inspired by Jiujiang’s water networks, Chen mapped her artistic journey along the river, using the ancient local dragon boat culture as the foundation to design eight operational artistic dragon boats for the "Jiujiang Town Guofeng Park – Huangji Community – Heqing Community" water tour route. In addition, she created Bound Together on This Boat, a contemporary dragon boat artwork, which now gently sways amid the mist of Yan Bridge.

“坐[co5]埋[mai4]同[tung4]一[yed1]条[tiu4]船[xun4]”，粤语俚语，意为同舟共济，利害相同。用同坐一条船表达人们作为命运共同体团结一致，为集体而行动的决心。在日常用法中，时常带有讽刺自嘲的意味，表达人与人之间千丝万缕的人情世故。如“宜家都坐埋同一条船啦，有咩唔怕讲喔。（现在大家同坐一条船了，有什么话就直说吧。）”

广东古为岭南蛮荒之地，并不适合生存，基于生存的需要，人们抱团取暖，于是族群之间的凝聚力不断加强。九江传统龙舟活动的起龙船（舟）、龙船采青、阿契文化（结阿契、请阿契、送阿契）、吃龙船饭、龙船会（游龙、竞渡、竞艳）、龙船出海、收龙等内容环节，都将一个宗祠、一个村的人聚到一起。齐心协力、通力合作，带动了每一个人的荣誉感，对广东人而言，龙舟文化更像是村落、宗族之间的凝聚力的依托。

游龙，又称为彩龙或龙船竞艳，是一种注重龙船外形装扮的龙船活动，越具有独特风格和美感的龙船越能吸引观众的眼球并赢得喝彩。粉丸创作的《坐埋同一条船》以“游龙”为灵感来源，通过极鲜艳的色彩、繁复的手绘图案和创新大胆的媒介，将群龙竞渡的传统文化和风雨同舟的集体智慧融入了当代艺术的语境。

"Zuo Mai Tong Yi Tiao Chuan" is a Cantonese idiom meaning "Sitting in the same boat”, emphasizing the actions that share the same fate. It expresses solidarity and mutual responsibility in a collective journey. The phrase carries a hint of irony or self-deprecating humor, often used in daily life to reflect the intricate social ties between people. For example, one might say, "We’re all in the same boat now—no need to hold back, just speak your mind."

Historically, Guangdong was once considered a remote and inhospitable land, prompting early settlers to band together for survival. This necessity fostered strong communal bonds. The traditional dragon boat customs of Jiujiang—including the rituals of awakening the dragon boat, plucking greens for good fortune, the A Qi culture (forming, inviting, and bidding farewell to sworn brotherhoods), the communal dragon boat feast, and the dragon boat festival events (processions, races, and decorative competitions)—all bring entire villages together, strengthening collective spirit and shared honor. To the people of Guangdong, dragon boat culture is not just about sports; it is a deep-rooted symbol of village and clan unity.

One of the most visually striking traditions is Youlong (also called "decorative dragon boats"), where boats are adorned with elaborate decorations to captivate audiences and win acclaim. Chen’s Bound Together on This Boat draws inspiration from this tradition, incorporating vivid colors, intricate hand-painted patterns, and innovative materials. The work blends the collective wisdom of dragon boat racing and the resilience of community solidarity into a contemporary artistic expression.

粉丸为《坐埋同一条船》编织出一张既天真又有野心的船帆。异形图案拥有剪纸的灵动韵味，选用透彩色PVC材质，以雕刻与手绘结合的方式打造出如万花筒般绚烂的视觉效果。镂空的船帆在阳光下映出微波粼粼的倒影，自然的灵动与人文的厚重就此交织。船帆上的“坐埋同一条船”，通过鲜艳的手绘字形传递出赛龙舟运动中合作无间的精神，同时也暗喻着人们在日常生活中命运与共、共同进退的智慧。

Chen has designed a sail for Bound Together on This Boat that is both playful and ambitious. The irregularly shaped patterns echo the fluid grace of traditional paper cutting, crafted from translucent PVC using a combination of engraving and hand-painting to create a kaleidoscopic visual effect. The sail’s cut-out patterns cast shimmering reflections on the water, interweaving the organic beauty of nature with rich cultural symbolism. The phrase "坐埋同一条船（Zuo Mai Tong Yi Tiao Chuan）" is prominently displayed in bold, hand-painted typography, symbolizing both the spirit of seamless teamwork in dragon boat racing and the interconnectedness of people’s fates in daily life.

船身以粉色、黄色、蓝色和白色为主色，增强了视觉上的一致性。吸睛的荧光粉体现了粉丸先锋的艺术表达。圆形符号作为主体元素，它们并非单一色块，以粉色、黄色、蓝色和绿色层层叠加，呈现出如同彩虹般的几何视觉语言，反复出现的笑脸符号传达了愉快的氛围。整条船身设计通过流动感与对称性，回应了河流的蜿蜒曲线，体现了“顺水顺风”的文化寄托。

鼓是龙舟中的精神焦点，敲鼓人通过挥动握持鼓槌指挥龙船行进的信号。《坐埋同一条船》中，鼓、鼓凳和船桨不仅作为功能性的元素存在，也在视觉与符号层面延续了船体的整体设计，它们以繁美的花纹装饰，将吉祥、热闹的节庆氛围推向高潮。

The hull is painted in pink, yellow, blue, and white, ensuring a visually cohesive effect. The fluorescent pink stands out as a bold artistic statement, while circular motifs—layered in pink, yellow, blue, and green—create a vibrant, rainbow-like geometric language. Repeated smiley face symbols add a playful and joyful touch. The overall design, with its fluidity and symmetry, echoes the winding curves of the river, embodying the cultural aspirations of "smooth sailing and favorable winds."

The drum is the spiritual heartbeat of the artistic dragon boat, with the drummer using rhythmic beats to signal and synchronize the paddlers. In Bound Together on This Boar, the drum, drum stool, and paddles serve both functional and symbolic purposes, seamlessly integrating into the boat's overall aesthetic. Lavishly decorated with intricate patterns, they heighten the festive energy and celebratory atmosphere of the artwork.

粉丸选用未经处理的白胚龙头、龙尾，再加以手绘，龙头的细腻笔触与线条设计展示了粉丸的个人风格。相较于传统金色、木色的龙舟，用色更加大胆、罕见，却在情感上释放出欢快与活力。荧光色的龙头与龙尾消解了传统龙舟的威仪姿态，强化了龙舟作为社群文化象征的亲切感。

Chen chose untreated white dragon heads and tails, hand-painting them with delicate brushstrokes that showcase her distinctive artistic style. Unlike the usual gold or wooden tones of traditional dragon boats, her bold and colorful palette conveys an uplifting and energetic mood. The fluorescent-colored dragon head and tail soften the imposing presence of traditional dragon boats, reinforcing the warmth and accessibility of dragon boat culture as a symbol of community.

创作过程中，粉丸多次前往烟南村实地考察，与当地的村民与龙舟工匠深入交流，探索九江龙舟文化的历史与当代意义。当地村民热情、质朴，给予了我们许多帮助。《坐埋同一条船》在安装时，遇到了一些现场难题。比如，旗帜再插入桅杆时，发现尺寸不匹配，需要重新缝制。多亏了村民借来的针线，笑脸彩旗才得以迎风飘舞。

Throughout the creative process, Chen made multiple research visits to Yannam Village, engaging deeply with locals and dragon boat craftsmen to explore the historical and contemporary significance of Jiujiang’s dragon boat culture. The local community, warm and generous, provided invaluable support. During the installation, unexpected challenges arose—such as mismatched flag dimensions requiring last-minute adjustments. A lot of thanks goes to villagers who lent us sewing materials, the cheerful, smiling flags were able to flutter proudly in the wind

粉丸作为土生土长的广州人，赋予了九江传统龙舟新的叙事，传递出一种属于“岭南人”的幽默与身份认同，为本次大地艺术节注入了一股鲜活的、本土化的艺术能量。“同舟共济”的文化理念超越了时间与地域，汇聚成本次艺术节中一段珍贵的诗意旅程。

As a native of Guangzhou, Chen infuses Jiujiang’s traditional dragon boat culture with a fresh narrative, capturing a uniquely Lingnan sense of humor and cultural identity. Her work injects a dynamic, locally rooted artistic energy into this year’s “Art Field Nanhai Guangdong”. The spirit of Bound Together on This Boat transcends time and geography, weaving together a poetic and memorable journey within the festival.