The 2011 Asian Art Biennial will explore the relationship between human existence and the ever-changing nature of Asian societies, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts announced June 16.
With “Medi(t)ation” as its central theme, the third biennial exhibit examines the tendency of Asian societies to become “M-shaped,” where the majority of the people are either extremely rich or extremely poor.
The concept of the M-shaped society is a term coined by Japanese economist Kenichi Ohmae.
“As modern Asian cultures become ever harder to define, we hope to call attention to the mediation of conflict as well as to meditation as a reflection on one’s being,” said museum staff curator Iris Huang.
Mediation also refers to communication among diverse Asian cultures, and the reconciliation of traditional and modern values, she added.
The work of over 40 artists from 20 Asian countries and territories—including Australia, Indonesia, mainland China, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam—will be on display.
Teams of artists will also be invited to undertake new on-site commissions, conduct social research surveys, and comment on the various paths for analyzing Asian reality, the museum said.
Taiwanese artist Lin Chuan-chu will explore the agricultural possibilities of his art by tending a rice field in the museum’s exhibition area, where he will reflect on the nature of labor and food production.
The exhibition will run at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung City from Oct. 1, 2011, to Jan. 1, 2012. (HZW)
Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw