Xu Bing Square Word Calligraphy: An Ascent (a poem by DU Fu), 2012 Ink on paper Each: 138 x 68 cm (set of 6) Du Fu (712 – 770) was one of the greatest Chinese poets from the Tang dynasty. Here Xu Bing writes the English translation of Du’s famous poem An Ascent in Square Word Calligraphy. The wind so wild, the sky so high, The moody monkeys sorely sigh. The isle so drear, the sand so pale, The lingering gulls in circles sail. All over such a vast expanse, The rustling leaves off branches dance. The Yangtse River rises yon, And passes raging on and on. Apart from home so far and long, With autumn, myriad sorrows throng. With illness all my life to fight, I now alone ascend this height. Weighed down in troubled times with care, I hate the growing hoary hair. A broken heart, for cups I pine; Oh, if my health permitted wine! (Original translation by Zhang Qingxue)
