Urban development exhibition opens in New Taipei

2016/01/19

An arts exhibition spotlighting urban development through the eyes of young artists from northern Taiwan kicked off Jan. 13 in New Taipei City.

Cityscapes: Stories features 38 animated films, metalworks, paintings, photographs, sculptures and videos by talents from Hsinchu, Keelung, New Taipei, Taipei and Taoyuan Cities, as well as Hsinchu, Miaoli and Yilan Counties. The eight-month event is touring all eight cities and counties.

Tony Lin, commissioner of the New Taipei City Government’s Cultural Affairs Department, said since its launch in 2004, the exhibition has functioned as a peerless platform for coordinating the efforts of the regions in helping young artists attract national attention.

“We believe this year’s edition will sustain the momentum from earlier successful stops in Hsinchu, Taipei, Miaoli and Yilan,” Lin said. “Its fresh take on city development and industrial transformation of society provides insight into the concerns of young artists for their homeland.”

One highlight is the papier-mache “A Smiling Girl” by Tsai Chieh-hsin of New Taipei. The lifelike piece featuring a girl sitting on a bench holding flowers is a beacon of warmth in the darkness of fast-paced and isolated city life. Tsai’s use of recycled paper also raises the public’s awareness for environmental issues.

Equally intriguing is the oil painting “Taipei City” by Keelung City-based Hsu Chih-wei. The work depicts a fantasy rendering of the metropolis where machinery parts are scattered around Taipei 101, symbolizing the artist’s belief that chaos shapes the well-ordered veneer of a city.

Another piece of great interest is the animation “Provincial Highway 17” by Lee Wen-cheng of Yilan County. Eight years in the making, the film documents the struggles of the young working class, and rise and fall of shops along the highway.

After wrapping up Jan. 31 at New Taipei City Art Center, the exhibition moves on to Taoyuan before finishing in Hsinchu City.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=241383&ctNode=2194&mp=9)