我从70年代末就知道蔡文颖先生的大名和作品了,但直到1993年11月,我到纽约访问,才有机会亲睹文颖先生的电动感应雕塑,对他的艺术才有了真切的感性认识。 艺术的发展从来离不开科学和技术,从某种意义上说,艺术能从一个侧面反映出科学与技术的水平。20世纪以来,现代艺术家对工业和科学文明持截然相反的两种态度,一种态度认为科学与工业、科技的发展会妨碍艺术的繁荣,艺术应该与科技分道扬镳,主张纯粹的、独立的艺术;另一种态度则认为艺术离不开工业与科技,艺术应该结合和反映现代工业与科技文明。这也可以说是对待现代科技文明的两大艺术流派吧。蔡文颖先生无疑属于热心的科技派,而且是属于那种在艺术创造上做出贡献的科技派。他的贡献在于运用了新的科学媒体和新的科技手段,而且赋予了这些媒介和手段以新的艺术形象,这些形象具有中国民族文化的底蕴和意味,富有自然情趣和人的感情。 蔡文颖先生运用科学原理与工程技术创造出颤动杆,这些细 I know Mr. Cai Wenying’s fame and works since the late 1970s, but it was not until November 1993 that I visited New York to have the opportunity to see Mr. Wen’s electrodynamic sculptures and to have an authentic sensibility in his art understanding. Art has never been inseparable from the development of science and technology, in a sense, art can reflect from one aspect of the level of science and technology. Since the 20th century, modern artists hold two diametrically opposite attitudes towards industry and scientific civilization. One attitude holds that science and industry and science and technology development will hinder the prosperity of the arts. Art should separate itself from science and technology and advocate pure and independent art. Another attitude is that art can not be separated from industry and science and technology. Art should combine and reflect the modern industry and science and technology. This can also be said to be the two major genres of art in modern science and technology. Mr. Cai Wenying undoubtedly belongs to the enthusiastic technology school, but also belongs to the kind of science and technology to make contributions to the art school. His contribution lies in the use of new scientific media and new scientific and technological means, but also gives these media and tools a new artistic image. These images have the essence and meaning of Chinese national culture, are rich in natural taste and human feelings. Mr. Cai Wenying use scientific principles and engineering techniques to create a vibrating rod, these fine