Mr.
Chen's Mini-carving and Mini-engraving Break through
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ˇ@ˇ@Mr. Chen Forng-shean was admitted to the Central Engraving and Printing Plant 25 years ago through an open examination. He was responsible for engraving the steel printing molds for banknotes. On this job, he has to use magnifying glasses. Mr. Chen's virgin creation is a miniature of Chinese scenery picture that he used steel needles to engrave the picture on a small 50-cent coin. Once he happened to know that in old times applicants for court examinations often used a miniature booklet to practice fraud at the examinations. The miniature booklets were about 10 mm. To challenge the old-time craft, Mr. Chen Carved a 0.08 mm. miniature booklet. And he called for his interested friends to organize a micro-carving club to put together their work and artistic concepts. This brought forward endless interest and let Mr. Chen loves micro-carving till now.
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ˇ@ˇ@Micro-carving can be classified into five categories: micro-carving, micro-sculpture, micro-engraving, micro-penmanship and micro-painting. Mr. Chen first tried to use paper as carving material, and gradually he was inspired that he could use almost everything around him. Due to the fact that the finished objects of micro-carving are tiny, he challenged himself by using so tiny materials that naked eye could not see. In the first two years, he was often frustrated and there were many bottlenecks. Yet, his strong will supported him to continue on the path like a washing board.
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The Motive of Mr. Chen's Creation
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ˇ@ˇ@The founding of Chen's Micro-carving Club was because of his high interest. Besides, he was also provided with an opportunity to temper himself in skills. Mr. Chen had met numerous frustrations and failures, and coming along with these hardships were his improved skill and the recovery of his faith. To let interested people join the art that has lasted for 3,000 years, Chen founded ˇ§Chen Forng-shean Micro-carving Museumˇ¨ in 1997.
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ˇ@ˇ@ Mr. Chen spent NT$1,000,000.00 to rebuild the outer walls of the two-storied building, to make interior decorations and to set the exhibit areas. Among his exhibits, he even puts on show the carving tools he personally designed and made. The exhibition is aimed at allowing the general public to get interested in micro-carving and pass on the Chinese culture. |
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It is needless to say that micro-carving is a pains-taking job. Yet, with the encouragement of the visitors and the media confirmation, Mr. Chen has been able to maintain his restless working spirit. There is a bright perspective, there is a will, and there is a way of inspiration, Mr. Chen has been trying hard not to let the craft lost, and expect increased people to join the endeavor after a brighter future.
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National Guinness World Record
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| ˇ@ˇ@In the early days when Chen was making his micro-carvings, many of the media often compare his creations to world records. Mr. Chen was also considering the challenge to the world records but he did not expect that he could break the world records. With accumulated creativeness for many years, Mr. Chen's micro-carving creations, both in quality and quantity, have been able to meet his objectives and expectations. Chen never stops making new creations, and at each of a new creation introduction his creation receives wide attention of the general public. Many of the media interview him and make intensive reports. Representing Taiwan, Mr. Chen often exhibited his carvings at European and American cities and caused great sensations. At home, he exhibited his carvings many times at Dr. Sun Yet-sen's Memorial Hall, big hotels and department stores and received all the good rewards.
ˇ@ˇ@Media reports on micro-carving have actively pushed the promotion and the passing-on of the arts. Whenever there is a successful creation, Chen introduces it through the media to the public. The general Public's confirmation intensifys Chen's position and his lasting faith in micro-carving.
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ˇ@ˇ@ It was acknowledged by Guinness World Records Taipei Office that Chen's ˇ§Smallest Bear on the Globeˇ¨ and ˇ§Verse on a Sesameˇ¨ could apply for Guinness World Record, but when his application was sent to Guinness Headquarters in London, it was not accepted with remarks that the creations were too small and it was intangible to manage. |
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On Guinness World Records, the smallest bear is a micro-molded, 0.6 mm Teddy Bear, the shape of which is not quite distinctive. Chen's bear is only 0.05 mm. Besides, the verse on a sesame as carved by an artist on Mainland China is a five-character verse, Chen's however is a longer seven-character one. Guinness refusal is questionable.
ˇ@ˇ@Mr. Chen has a miniature booklet named Tiny Polar Bear. When Chen applied for Guinness Record, the authorities explained that a miniature booklet had to be engraved and could be put in print. Chen was not recognized as a world record, and he was only given certificate. Mr. Chen's creation of The Smallest Bear on the Globe, the Verse on a sesame and the Tiny Polar Bear could only be put in Taiwan's Guinness Record Book. This has been Chen's regret and also his objective for his future endeavor. |
Future Plans
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| ˇ@ˇ@Mr. Chen with his glorious achievement has often contacted by Mainland China's press agency and the Central Television Station, and he has been invited to visit Mainland China. Chen is planning to exhibit his creations in Mainland China in Feb., 2006 to let the Mainland press media and the general public to view the creations of Taiwan. ˇ@ˇ@For this planned trip, he is carving a series of creations concerning the Olympic Game, using panda as a lucky creature for the athletes. He is also engraving the competing spirit of the athletes. He is to complete the topic creations in six months. Chen says ˇ§The year 2006 will be a new goal to challenge himself on Mainland Chinaˇ¨.ˇ@ˇ@
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We sincerely hope that Chen's creations for the 2008 Olympic Game will meet the world there and let the world see the hardworking and achievement. |
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