Taiwan Design Expo gets underway in Yilan

2015/11/24

The 2015 Taiwan Design Expo kicked off Nov. 21 at Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park in Yilan County, showcasing the region’s growing profile in the global cultural and creative industry.

Featuring more than 1,000 works by artists from various countries and territories including Taiwan, Australia, France, Finland and Japan, the event is organized by the Taiwan Design Center under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the local government.

“Under this year’s theme of Makers Boom, the expo has brought leading talents and design works to Yilan, and will serve as a major platform for professional exchanges,” Yilan County Magistrate Lin Tsung-hsien said Nov. 16 at a promotional event.

“It will also help build links between design talents and local industries, further boosting the transformation of traditional manufacturing sectors and promoting practical designs fashioned from cloth, paper and wood on the world stage.”

The annual Taiwan Design Expo has been staged in various locations across the island since its founding in 2003. This year’s expo, which marks the second time the event has been held in the northeastern county, comprises five sections—Theme Pavilion, Boom Brand, Yilan Lifestyle Pavilion, Trendy Green Dyehouse and AIC-Yilan Maker Space.

The Theme Pavilion perfectly embodies the goal of this year’s exhibition. Featuring 800 wooden birds by Eguchi Toys at the hall’s entrance and a rich variety of exquisite craft works, this section of the expo has concept stores in the front and studios in the back. They were created by 16 design teams including HXH Group, Lo Lat Furniture and Objects, Moissue and Y Studio.

Equally fascinating, Boom Brand comprises innovative furniture and lighting from domestic producers such as Dayeh, Macro Maison and Xcellent.

Meanwhile, the Yilan Lifestyle Pavilion boasts the most local flavor. Focusing on objects that epitomize the fun and joy of childhood, the exhibition includes toys, handicrafts, stationery, children’s chairs and picture books.

One highlight is a child’s seat “Hive Fun” by Taiwan’s Jen Mao-chun. The bee hive-shaped stool has storage space inside while its height can be easily adjusted. The piece won the 2015 Yilan Chair Design Competition.

Also noteworthy is the Trendy Green Dyehouse pavilion, which showcases dyed artworks. Participating artists hope to raise awareness of environmental protection, health and culture through their use of natural plants and minerals. A do-it-yourself workshop is also being held as part of the event.

For those eager to participate in DIY activities, AIC-Yilan Maker Space is another must-see venue. Supported by the American Innovation Center in Taiwan, the pavilion will host a range of seminars and workshops that enable exhibition-goers to express their creativity.

“The Taiwan Design Expo attracted over 160,000 visitors when Yilan first staged the event in 2004. Scheduled to wrap up Dec. 6, it is expected to attract 180,000 people this year since the completion of the Hsuehshan Tunnel in 2006 has made it easier to reach the venue from Taipei,” an MOEA official said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=239245&ctNode=2194&mp=9)