歷時5個多月的“月球探測工程標識征集活動”不久前在北京揭曉,以中國書法筆觸抽象地勾勒出一輪圓月、一雙腳印踏臨其上的作品,被確定為中國月球探測工程形象標識。這個標識作者,便是27歲的顧永江。
顧永江是紹興人,設計標識折桂使他一夜之間成了媒體競相采訪的對象。日前他載譽歸鄉作客母校魯迅中學,他身著迎風飄逸的大衣,背著休閑挎包,看上去十分灑脫,眼中透著幾分沉著和執著。
顧永江并非學美術出身,其設計的標識為何能在眾多作品中勝出?他說,他是學書法出身的,搞設計其實也有獨特優勢,因為每一個漢字都是一幅圖畫,這與圖案設計有異曲同工之妙。所以對于一名設計師來說,中國書法里有取之不盡的靈感源泉,自己從書法之鄉出來,當然更有理由用好這份寶貴資源。
“月球探測工程標識‘月亮之上’的創作靈感,主要得益于我的書法創作和對漢字形體的琢磨。‘月亮之上’之所以讓人眼睛一亮,主要是這一創作透著漢字形象傳神的精髓,又融入了現代科技精神。”顧永江如是說。
長在書法圣地蘭亭之畔的他,受鄉風熏染從小醉心書藝,一有空便鋪紙揮毫。進入初中后,他在專業教師的指導下書藝大進,在魯迅中學讀高中時,學校見他對書法悟性頗高且追求執著,特派書法老師對其專門輔導,并為他舉辦了學校第一個學生書法作品展。在老師鼓勵下,他在翰墨書海中如癡如醉,暢游不息,即使在緊張的高考復習階段,也常抽空習練。他曾多次在全國及省市級書法比賽中獲獎,其所書的“時事”二字,曾被全國性刊物《時事》雜志作為封面題字錄用。
1997年,顧永江以高分考入北京廣播學院廣告系,學習之暇仍然不忘書藝,常與人切磋,并在京成功舉辦過“山陰續墨”個人書畫展。他擅行草、狂草,廣涉諸體。畢業后他在上海一家廣告公司工作,從事電視、平面廣告的文案創意,閑暇時也設計一些圖案,還與其兄開設一個名叫“兩顧茅廬”的設計工作室。
國防科工委月球探測工程中心于去年8月15日啟動“月球探測工程標識征集活動”,他在網上看到這消息后便決定一試身手,但因忙于工作遲遲沒有動手。在截稿的最后一天,他在洗漱時突發靈感,決定用篆書表達登月探測意念。他認為用篆書的“月”字來表現探測月球恰到好處,因為篆體月字圓弧的起筆、輒轉和露鋒,正好吻合登月的“繞、落、回”三部曲。深夜,他操筆設計竟然感到難以想象的順利,僅用10分鐘就完成了設計,就在離截稿不到一小時之際,他輕點鼠標發出了電子郵件。
在層層評選中,他設計的標識在千余參賽作品中頓時脫穎而出,在新浪網投票中亦以最高票數獲得“網絡人氣獎”。之后他應國防科工委月球探測工程中心之邀,與一些評委及專家進行了溝通和交流,并將初稿中弧形的紅色改成藍色,以寄寓人們探索宇宙的恒久夢想,同時添加了一群和平鴿的視覺元素。
2月10日,顧永江設計的月球探測標識在萬眾矚目中閃亮面世:他設計的標識圖案簡潔明了,用中國書法的筆觸抽象勾勒出一輪圓月,并有一雙腳印踏臨其上,象征著探測月球的終極夢想,那圓弧的起筆處自然形成龍頭,象征中國航天如巨龍騰空而起,落筆的飛白由一群和平鴿構成,表達了中國和平利用空間的美好愿望。整體圖形由一弧兩點巧妙形成古文“月”字,寫意的筆觸旨在傳達一種探索的信念。
國防科工委新聞發言人黃強說,這是中國第一次采用全國征集的方式為重大航天探索工程設計標識。月球探測工程是有巨大感召力的科技創新工程,工程標識代表著“中國探月”所昭示的精神力量。
折桂后的顧永江欣喜萬分,更有意思的是揭曉那天剛好是他生日。他說,這個生日是有生以來最富意義的生日,將終身難忘。問他對作品中哪一點最為得意?他答是月弧形中的一對“小腳”。他說:“從小遙望皓月時總愛冒出這樣的想法,登上月亮多好啊,這雙‘小腳’恰好給人如在登月的感覺。雖然我自己不能登上月亮,但親手設計的標識能載上月亮,此生可謂無憾了!”
據中國探月首席科學家歐陽自遠說,中國第一顆探月衛星“嫦娥一號”計劃明年發射。現在衛星正在進行研制正樣階段,全部9種有效載荷都已經完成,一個月后將進行統一聯調和安裝調試。這9種有效載荷包括立體相機、測高儀、光譜儀、微波探測儀等。他還透露,探月衛星上的八大系統將在今年全部完成,今年年底前將完成總裝,進入待命階段,“也就是說,到年底前最終的衛星就已經出來了。”
顧永江對筆者說:“我從小喜歡望月,我母親名字里也有個月字,我設計的作品能成為國家月球探測標識,也許我這一生與月亮有緣!”
Specials
Calligrapher's Inspiration for Moon Exploration
By Jin Aosheng
In a nationwide competition for making the best logo for China's lunar exploration program, Gu Yongjiang was the winner. His design features a full moon with a pair of footprints, all elegantly and abstractly expressed in typical Chinese calligraphic brushstrokes.
Gu, 27, is from Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. Winning in the nationwide logo competition has turned him into a media star. An experienced calligrapher, he works as an art designer for a Shanghai-based advertising agency. It was exactly his knowledge of calligraphy that gave him an edge and inspired him to excel in the contest. Calligraphy helps him to express himself in a unique way. According to Gu, each Chinese character is a painting and a profound knowledge of Chinese characters can help achieve the same graphic effects as does graphic design.
He said that he was mainly inspired by his understanding of Chinese characters in trying to come up with an original image for the lunar exploration program. The eye-opening effect of the image stems from a vivid expression of the Chinese character '月meaning the moon and a masterful integration with the essence of modern science and technology.
It is no wonder that Gu has such a profound understanding of Chinese characters given that he grew up near Orchid Pavilion, a Mecca for all Chinese calligraphers. While in middle school, his talent and passion for calligraphy caught the attention of his teachers. Under the guidance of professionals, he made rapid progress. The school held the students?first solo exhibition for him in his senior high school years. As a student, he won a few prizes in calligraphic competitions at national, provincial and municipal levels. In 1997, he entered Beijing Broadcasting Institute and majored in advertising. Since graduation, he has been working in Shanghai.
Last August, a national competition started for a logo for China's moon exploration program. Gu learned the news on the Internet and decided to try his luck. However, he did not start until the last day before the deadline. While brushing his teeth that morning, he suddenly hit upon the idea of epitomizing the Chinese moon adventure in the Chinese seal character style. The inspiration was great, for the character of “月 written in that style coincidentally depicted the actions of the future moon explorer: orbiting around the moon, landing on it, and coming back to earth. He started the creative process at night which went most smooth. He completed the design barely in ten minutes and sent it off by email less than an hour before the deadline.
Gu's design stood out from thousands of candidate works through appraisals at various levels. It won the hearts of fans in a public survey at sina.com, China's number one internet website, before the official announcement. Gu was invited to Beijing to make some modifications after consulting with experts and jurors of the competition. He made some minor changes and added a group of doves.
On February 10, 2006, the logo designed by Gu was announced as winner of the competition and unveiled officially. The simple design graphically expresses the Chinese dream of exploring the deep space for peaceful purposes. A spokesman of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense observed that it was the first time the Commission had ever held a nationwide solicitation for a logo for such an epoch-making project.
Gu's ecstasy doubled especially because the prize-wining day fell on his birthday. What could have been better than this special birthday gift? The most unforgettable birthday he's ever had, Gu said. \"I will never forget it,?he continued to say. He said the best part of his winning design was the tiny footprints. \"I dreamed of going to the moon when I was a kid. The footprints can best express my longing and give me a real sense of being there. Probably I will never go to the moon, but my design will. This thought drives away my regret of never being able to get there.?The moon explorer is now under construction and is scheduled to blast off in 2007.
(Translated by David)