Preface
'Drawing is primarily a way of looking at things, of observing and discovering. Drawing can do without art. It needs to have nothing to do with it. However, art cannot exist without drawing.'
Le Corbusier
'16 Lessons in Lines' is the first of a series of events organized in
celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Department
of Architecture, University of Hong Kong. This collection of black and
white line drawings from the students, alumni and staff represents how
architects see, explore and search in nature and in real life. We learn
to draw in order to obtain how humanity and materiality are being formed,
developed, cherished, preserved, and eventually forgotten. Even though
people and events may fade away, the drawings would remain permanently
inscribed in our memory. The drawing process also helps us to invent,
to create and finally to transmit our ideas in life and in architecture.
I am most grateful to Prof. Sun-chang Lo, who organized and curated this exhibition and its catalogue and whose students' work are represented here, and to Mr. Yeung Chun-tong of the University Museum and Art Gallery, for their efforts in making this exhibition a success. I am equally appreciative of all the participants and the sponsors for their enthusiam and generosity.
Patrick Sau Shing
Lau
Professor and Head
Department of Architecture
The University of Hong Kong