Iconmetrics #1 – Handwriting of Melancholia

The term Iconmetrics（圖像計量學）, which was coined by Ruei-shan Li （李叡山）, was inspired and originated from the term Sabermetrics（賽伯計量學） that was coined by the baseball writer, statistician Bill James in 1971. Using collected stats and various models, Sabermeritcs detailedly analyzes players’ or teams’ performance and can then forecast what will happen in the future. It not only presents baseball players’ or teams’ performances meta-physically, but also reveals the ture that was shaded from apperances. For instance, FIP is more truthful than ERA for a pitcher in that it focuses only on those stats that he/her could control over. And furthermore, we can, through a comparison of the two, to see if there is the luck of the draw or not.

Therefore, Iconmetrics #1 – Handwriting of Melancholia is a meta-physical documentation of Ruei-shan’s photobook Handwriting of Melancholia (幻海靈拾帖) that lasted for 5 years so far. In that locked, red wooden cabinet there are three Kodak Tri-X 400 cartridges and a booklet, which encryptedly written in Bopomofo system, contains full informations of the former three. In this way, the photobook transfigures itself, namely images, into a text of phonogram system. It engages the audience to act to unlock the cabinet with the key that sets on the communion tray. As a symbolistic mediator, the key will help the one who takes action experience and complete the transubstantiation.