AFTERWORDS: The slow art of paper making & calligraphy
What happens to a piece of paper after it has outlived its purpose? What else does it want to say when there is no space left?
Chinese calligraphers of old were taught never to tear or misuse any piece of writing even after it has served its purpose. Instead, all pieces of writing were burnt in a little pagoda found in every district of the city. This burning was an act of respect for the written word.
Driven by this philosophy, calligrapher Malik Mazlan, and poet Dave Tai explore the longevity of the written word. How far can a piece of writing go if, instead of being destroyed, it is remade into a canvas, forming the foundation of a new work?
In Afterwords, Malik and Dave turn wastepaper from drafts, past projects, and personal items from their lives into new canvases. Haiku and calligraphy are inked onto them, creating a multi-layered commentary on the past, sustainability, and growth.
