牛年賀年卡：犇向未來日子 / A BETTER TOMORROW
【 2O21 LUNAR NEW YEAR OF OX | A BETTER TOMORROW 】
「牛」在亞洲文化有著許多象徵意義。
在台灣傳統農耕社會尚未有大型農耕機具時，牛便扮演了很重要的角色。農民藉由牛的力量幫忙犁田和耕種，因此，牛與農民家族多有深厚的情感。務農的農民家族，代代不食牛肉，以此感謝牛的付出。而台灣人對牛的印象通常是勤勞、力大無比、忠心但固執，日常生活中亦有許多詞語和表達都和牛息息相關。
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The “ox” has many symbolic meanings in Asian culture.
Before the rise of agricultural machineries, the ox played an important role in farming. Farmers had an emotional connection with the oxen and would not consume beef to show their appreciation. Taiwanese people see the ox as diligent, strong, loyal, but also stubborn. These symbolisms are seen in many expressions used on a daily basis.
在這次的視覺中，置入了港片《英雄本色》裡非常多的元素。《英雄本色》的英文片名為 "A BETTER TOMORROW" ，而第二集的主題曲〈奔向未來的日子〉便是以三個牛頭的方式，象徵《英雄本色》的主角狄龍、張國榮與周潤發。
在卡片背面的視覺構成中，左下角的元件代表電影《英雄本色》第一集裡，重要的一個關鍵物件，就是電影裡最重要的犯罪證據—膠卷。其中，極權惡行是一個事實的存在，再多貌似有其道理的話語作為掩飾，終是道貌岸然，始終以各種手段在打壓其他國家。
宇宙與星球星系都有其順行的軌跡及秩序，版面上星星除了象徵宇宙中的星球，也有《英雄本色》裡槍戰時的火花四射的意象。而卡片背面的長條設計，代表對於台灣股市經濟可以不受武漢肺炎疫情影響、回歸順勢的寄望，受疫情影響的人數可以減少，甚至歸零。象徵身處於地球的我們，以及這世界恢復生態乃至文明的秩序與軌跡。
Riso特別版的背面設計理念，則想強調台灣雖是個小島，卻能廣納來自許多地方的人，一起生活在這塊土地上。這就是座島嶼最美好的地方，擁有多元文化價值觀與思維。但越是關鍵時刻，我們越不需要急著尋找箭靶，保持冷靜、戒慎戒懼、提高警覺，把生活中最簡單的事情做到最好，抱持著同理心並相互尊重。相信發展會逐漸往好的方向前進，團結起來，同島一命。
我偏好當下關心的時事與不同文化的議題，並賦予期許來進行新年賀卡的設計。今年是牛年，希望收到賀年卡的朋友們在這個年能繼續保持著牛的特質，未來日子能一次又一次以堅韌、旺盛的生命力來面對各種困境的挑戰。
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I have included many elements from the movie A Better Tomorrow in the design. In fact, the theme song, “Will Rush Toward Future Day”, for the sequel A Better Tomorrow II used three bull heads as symbolic figures for the leading actors, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, and Chow Yun-fat.
The roll film was an important evidence of wrongdoing in the movie A Better Tomorrow. This was part of my design idea to emphasize that no matter what they say or do, the evidence of totalitarianism is obvious.
The universe has its patterns, the stars on the card reference not only the planets in the universe, but also the sparks from the gun fights in A Better Tomorrow. The line design on the back of the card represents the rebounding of the Taiwan economy following the effect of the COVID pandemic and the hope that COVID cases can be reduced to zero. This also represents us on earth getting back to normal and restoring our patterns.
The special Riso edition emphasizes that despite being a small island, Taiwan is welcoming to people from many different places. The cultural diversity is the most beautiful thing about this island. And when facing a challenge, instead of panicking and turning against each other, the people are united and work together to come out on top.
The design for this year’s card is tied to current events and cultural differences. This year is the Year of the Ox, I am hoping all of you can stay diligent and strong to overcome any challenges you may face this upcoming year.
Design ｜ Ti-Ming Chu Workshop
Print ｜ 印簿玩 Tooget
Print ｜ 印簿玩 Tooget
Riso Print ｜ O.OO Risograph & Design
Photography ｜ Chien Mo
Photography ｜ Chien Mo
Special Thank ｜Eric Liu
