Breathtaking imagery takes Taiwan to world

2015-02-03

Taiwan’s spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage are being introduced abroad through a range of eye-catching multimedia offerings produced by a Taipei City-based company.

The electronic postcards and DVDs feature memorable images such as grassy fields filled with daylilies in Taitung County, Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve fireworks show and Taroko Gorge, as well as interviews with the makers of traditional hand puppets and lanterns.

Project initiator David Chuang, director of Rainbow Arts and Humanities Co. Ltd., said he came up with the idea while visiting Hong Kong in 2012.

“I was browsing the souvenirs at a gift shop on the deck of the Kowloon Star Ferry and found a whole section of postcards featuring major countries around the world. Sadly, there were none representing Taiwan.”

After returning home, Chuang vowed to take Taiwan to the world and spent seven months shooting more than 5,000 pictures of local cultural highlights.

“The task became almost an obsession,” he said. “I was never satisfied that my shots adequately portrayed the beauty of Taiwan, so I decided to enlist some help and cast my net wider.”

Following the addition of several staffers, Chuang felt he finally had enough material to go to the next stage. In 2013, his company released a DVD and 18 electronic postcards. And one year later, it rolled out “Legacy,” a documentary containing 13 stories of leading local lights making invaluable contributions to preserving the nation’s traditional crafts and skills.

“The quarter million US dollars I spent on these initiatives was more than worth it,” Chuang said. “I am blessed to have the opportunity to promote Taiwan to people around the world and touch their hearts.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=227049&CtNode=413)