Yunlin wetland art project raises eco-awareness

2015-05-05

Cheng-long Wetlands International Art Project wrapped up May 4 in Kouhu Township, Yunlin County, successfully spotlighting the ecological diversity of western Taiwan.

Themed Fragile—Handle with Care, the sixth edition of the event features environmental installations created by five artists: Yunlin local Lee Chao-chang, Australian Christopher Varady-Szabo, Italian Marisa Merlin, Japanese Tsuneo Sekiguchi and Swiss Roger Rigorth.

Curator Jane Ingram Allen said project participants were selected from 139 entries submitted by artists in 56 different countries and territories. “During their 25-day residency, the artists used only natural and recycled materials from the small fishing village to create artworks specifically for the local wetland.

“The underlying concepts focus on the fragility of our environment, a reality especially evident in a region suffering from land subsidence and rising waters caused by climate change and human intervention.”

The miniature ecosystem by Varady-Szabo and sandbag installation by Merlin highlight the vulnerability of the wetlands at the mercy of global warming, while Rigorth’s sculpture of discarded bottles serves as a reminder of human impact on the environment.

Sekiguchi’s driftwood “Rainbow Boat” and an oyster shell dragon by Lee spread messages of hope, spurring visitors to contemplate how the power of natural resources can be harnessed to protect the environment.

“Each year, participating artists team up with local elementary school pupils to fashion their artworks and place them in different locations around the community and surrounding wetlands,” Ingram Allen said, adding that this establishes a living landscape of coexistence and symbiology.

“We expect that through these artistic statements, as well as the process of making them, the children and villagers will better appreciate the sensitivity of the environment and take greater care of the wetlands.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=229989&CtNode=413)