Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist 

This project uses a rather distinctive method of curatorial research and work development. Although it is an art festival hosted by the local government, it does not advocate any specific policy. Instead, the art festival is able to unite and expand the resources and support in more diverse forms to investigate environmental issues and suggest initiatives from artistic perspectives. Using Zheng-wen River as a lead-in, the art festival is carried out through long periods of in-depth fieldwork to freely create possible connections between people and things. Meanwhile, it incorporates a reflective consciousness of river basin governance that involves culture, hydrology, biology, and environmental texture to unfold a three-year-long process comprising observation, research, exchange, fieldwork, and publication, gradually forming the meaning of dialogues between “all living things” and their potential influences. (Commentator: CHEN Kuan-Yu)

Artwork Introduction

The triennial sets out to create a community for watershed governance based on the common identity of the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the 138.5-kilometer-long Zengwen River basin. Combining the indigenous Tsou tribes in the upper reaches, the meanders and rural villages in the middle reaches, and the water channels and fields in the lower reaches, the triennial aims to mediate the dynamics of water advocacy, art education, eco-agri-food innovation, and the regeneration of watershed cultural heritage after three years of long-term investigations and observations. It transcends the governance boundaries of the government, calls for public participation, responds to the “critical zone” problems posed by extreme climate conditions in the Anthropocene, and presents proactive, sustainable solutions suggested by eco-art actions. 

About the Artist

Using art to formulate responses to the contemporary era and society, Art Commons Tainan is grounded in the mission to propose innovative public concepts or modes of exchange for the future through planning and implementing contemporary art projects and related enterprises so as to achieve its core objective – to revitalize arts and culture in Taiwan and across Asia.

Production Team

Chief Curator/ Gong Jow-jiun

Co-Curator & Exhibition Design/ Lo Chien-yu

Curators of 9 Sub-Projects & Exhibition Design/

Program of Small Things/ Gong Yih-jau, Hung Shu-ching, Kuo Chia-ling

Program of Water/ Hung Yu-cheng, Yang Zhi-bin

Program of Bamboo/ Chen Guan-zhang

Program of Photography/ Shen Chao-liang

Program of Vegetation/ Huang Ching-ying

Program of Land/ Chen Guan-zhang

Program of Agriculture/ Wu Ke-wei, Tsai Yu-jou

Program of Sound/ Lin Fang-yi

Program of Indigenous Culture/ Nakaw Putun

Artists/

Basu’e Yakumangana, Joshua Sofaer (UK), Making Mad, Noiz, Co-Farming Group of Land’s Imagination, Working Hard (Guo Po-yu, She Wen-ying), Wang Wen-yen, Wang Chun-yuan, Tanivu Tapari, Eleng Luluan, Zhu Fang-yi, Wu Ke-wei, Lee Chia-hung, Lee Yeh-lin, Lee Ya-yan, Shen Chao-liang, Walking Grass Agriculture, Xin Qi, Iyo Kacaw, Zhuo Yu-xiang (Singapore), Lin Wen-chiang, Lin I-shuo, Lin Bo-liang, Lin We-yen, Lin Chun-yong, Lin Hsuan-lang, Lin Chuan-kai, Oksun Kim (South Korea), Group B (TNNUA), Hu Yu-chi, Kang Ya-chu, Iris Chang Chun-tzu, Chang Jing-hong, Liang Han-yun, Chen Po-i, Chen Chung-i, Eric Chen, Chen Yu-jung, Chen Ke-ting, Chen Chin-pao, Chen Wei-xuan, Chen Li Herng-ching, Chen Hong-wei, Chen Lu-xia, Peng Yi-hang, Tseng Po-hao, Tseng Min-shyong, Huang Yu-xiu, Huang Huang-chih, Yang Shun-fa, Yang Jin-huang, Liao Chao-hao, Liu Jian-fu, Varig Tinaway, O Jia-chen, Tsai Kuen-lin, Tsai Yu-jou, Long Guo-tai, Hsieh Pei-ying, Bare Feet Dance Theatre

/Parliament of Things/

Planning & Execution: Wu Wan-lun, Zhan Xin-pei

Performer & Art Presentation: Chou Shu-yi, 9 Grid Design, Chen Po-i

Documentary Video: Zhuang Rong-hua, Su Zhang-xu

Photography: Wu Ke-wei, Huang Huang-chih, Liu Li-hua

Planning & Execution: Lin Fang-to, Zhan Xin-pei

Drama Facilitator: Yin Hao-wei

Documentary Video: Yen Tsu-wei, Huang Wen-zhen

Photography: Huang Wen-zhen, Lin Hong-yi, Liu Li-hua

/Visual Coordination/ Mirr Lo

/Main Visual Design/ Lin Chien-chih