Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist 

Beginning with his personal, everyday life involving hoarding and caregiving, NI Xiang creates a compelling depiction of hoarding syndrome by juxtaposing and exploring various contradictions. The piles and stacks of old items in the exhibition space form a winding viewing route, evoking a reversal of roles in which humans lose control to the surrounding objects. Medical supplies, assistive devices, and installations that provide a chance to experience the physical perceptions of patients vividly illustrate the challenges of long-term care in an aging society. This collection of everyday items, out-of-fashion decorations, caregiving supplies, and sculptures made of cardboard boxes culminates in a large-scale installation that is intensely expressive. NI’s work is significantly affective and deeply engages with the topic of long-term care, while his idiosyncratic use of discarded materials embodies his unique “hoarding aesthetics.” (Commentator: CHANG Yun-Ting)

Artwork Introduction

This solo exhibition showcases various states of waste: there is the “almost” garbage that feels too much of a pity to discard, the cardboard material that can be turned into “gold,” the spectacle of trash, the rehearsal of waste, and the restart of garbage.

NI Xiang transforms his personal feelings – feelings stemming from his experiences as a caregiver over the past few years – into a tangible trench. The exhibition is based on, transforms, and expands the daily routines of caregiving, engaging the audience in preparing for battle. The exhibition narrative unfolds through hordes of simple, everyday household items. A straightforward reading of the exhibits lined up against the wall generates a sense of both burden and comfort. The reconfigured and unexpectedly altered domestic objects acknowledge and layer burdening yet familiar meanings, so much so that they may leave viewers feeling emotionally paralyzed. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the exhibition is that, as soon as one enters the space, it feels like being transported back home.

About the Artist

NI Xiang, an artist who seems to defy categorization, resembles a class secretary who quietly works on art projects for the bulletin board at the back of the classroom. During his sophomore year in college, he discovered his father’s work, which surpassed the known and embodied the magnitude of land art festivals. His time in the Department of Plastic Arts at Tainan National University of the Arts – a place that felt like a mental asylum – helped him recognize the value of his peers. Through collaborative efforts at Sin Pin Pier – Absolutely Art Space, he honed his skills in producing authentic group exhibitions. In Dalinpu, he began to understand how to address social issues as a means of embracing his conscience. His experience in Linkou was like a hellish journey that ultimately revealed a paradise.

He hopes to engage with the world through his work, even though time is limited.

I came, I saw, I am conquered.

Production Team

Mechanical Engineering: Chen Bo-Yan
Original Music Production: Zhi-Han
3D Sculpture Execution & Consulting: Yan-Hong, Mei-Hui
Impeccable Object Selection: Yu-Wen
Lightning-Fast Fly Paster: Chen Yi
Woodwork Done at Life’s Risk: Zi-Yan
On-Site Sound Integration: Zhi-Ming
Spiritual Director (Behind the Scenes) / Installation: Die-Yi
TSMC Snack Offering / Projector Management: Yi-Xiu
Painting & Installation: Zhi-Feng
Critical Reminders & Adjustments: Wei-Ting
On-Site Production: Yu-Jun
Materials Management: Jun-Yu
On-Site Production: Shu-Yuan
3D Printing, Materials & Installation: Yong-Han
On-Site Production & Installation: Bo-Hao
Exhibition Sleep Tester: Pou-Jing
Materials Support: Yi-Ru
Lighting, Materials & Installation: Shi-Hui, Jia-Zhen
Installation & Final Touches: Xu-Li
Stop Hiding Your Handsomeness: Zhang Li-Ren
Already-Thanked Super Actor: Yan Jia-Rong
Photography & Documentation: Du Yue-Xuan
On-Site Support: Brother Lai
Coordinator: Miss Dong Jia-Yun