Taiwan sound culture exhibition wins Taishin award

2015/06/17

An innovative audio exhibition documenting Taiwan’s diverse sounds within a historical framework was selected June 13 as top place-getter in the 13th annual Taishin Arts Award.

Created by Taipei City-based TheCube Project Space, “Altering Nativism: Sound Cultures in Post-war Taiwan” presents an analytical overview of artworks, audiovisual archives and historical documents from Taiwan’s post-war sound culture movements.

TheCube member Jeph Lo said he was overjoyed the jury had recognized the significance of the project and awarded the group the grand prize of NT$1.5 million (US$48,530). “We have worked hard to create something special documenting a vital part of the local cultural quiltwork.”

According to Lo, the three-member group comprising himself, Amy Cheng and Ho Tung-hung started with a natural sound recording released by local label Crystal Records in 1997. “We set out to examine issues shaping Taiwan’s modernity in the context of sound culture movements, including the banned songs from the martial law period, American pop influence, grassroots folk songs and the underground music scene,” he said.

The audio exhibition beat out four strong finalists to claim first prize. These were “The Monk from Tang Dynasty” by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang; “Home: Records of the Relocation of Hongmaogang Village,” Chen Po-i; “Long River,” WCdance; and “An Uncanny Tomorrow,” Yuan Goang-Ming.

Established by Taipei-based Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture in 2002, the award offers one of Taiwan’s largest cash prizes in recognition of excellence in artistic innovation, assiduous criticism and educational endeavors.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=231606&ctNode=413)