Created between 2011 and 2012, the 40 pieces were selected from 130 submissions nationwide. They satisfy the judging criteria of creativity, environmentally compatible and public participation.
“The talent behind these creations are indisputable and reflect well on long-term government efforts to foster a vibrant cultural and creative environment in Taiwan,” Vice President Wu Den-yih said during an address at the ceremony.
Southern Taiwan Science Park in Tainan City took top honor with the Outstanding Award for its project drawing upon local indigenous culture. Comprising 21 pieces, the undertaking features sculptures commemorating the Siraya tribe.
The project is also a standout for including artworks reflecting priceless discoveries such as dog remains dating back 4,800 years in the park’s Nankuan Borough Archaeological Site.
Adagio Ideal Culture Inc., Akibo Lee, DaDa Idea Co. Ltd., and Shuei An Art, Cultural and Creative Design Ltd. Co. each claimed a Best Creativity Award—the event’s second highest honor.
Adagio’s “Dance of Feather” hangs in Luzhou metro station, Lee’s “Guardian Machine Beast” is set up at Nangang Train Station, DaDa Idea’s “Green Bubble” decorates Taiwan Power Co.’s branch office in Pingtung County and Shuei An’s “A Play in Three Kingdoms” enhances the campus of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts.
Other winners are Taipei City-based Foundation for Research on Open Space, New Taipei City Government and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts for Best Education Promotion; Huang Keng-mao for Best Environmental Integration; Very Conception and Pingtung County Government for Best Public Participation; Very Conception and DaDa Idea for Most Popular; and Bayzu Precision Co. Ltd. for Private Business Public Art Installation.
According to Wu, the awards fall under the Regulations Governing the Installation of Public Artwork implemented to boost public art in Taiwan.
“Since the regulations were launched in 1998, more than 3,000 artworks have been created nationwide in venues like metro stations and office buildings,” he said. “The government will leave no stone unturned in continuing to make art an integral part of people’s everyday lives.”
Established in 2007 by the Ministry of Culture, the awards are considered the most prestigious of their kind in Taiwan. (DF-JSM)
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