Launched Jan. 12 at NTUT Art Center, “Multiple Awareness” features 17 projects by 43 students spanning apparel and papier-mache to pottery. While many of the eye-catching pieces are rich in artistic expression, some have promising commercial potential.
Department head Lin Feng-yi said all of the projects are praiseworthy, but fashion-themed Hsing Ching is the one most likely to make a splash in the market. “It offers modern products with strong ties to traditional Chinese culture.”
Established by Chang Hsiang-han, Chiang Min-chen, Kuo Han-wei and Lai Keng-ping, the project’s clothing, eyewear, handbags and shoes incorporate patterns appearing in bronze wine cups and carafes from the Shang dynasty (1765-1122 B.C.).
“These four students obviously possess enormous talent in lateral thinking and producing innovative designs.” Lin said, adding that they are representative of the department’s first batch of four-year graduates.
Equally impressive is Chu Lei’s wooden canoe-sailboat combo model, as well as a photography album and essay documenting his adventures over the past four years as an ocean explorer.
“Chu’s works provide a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s seafaring culture, coastal tourism sector and breathtaking marine vistas,” Lin said.
Running until Jan. 23, the exhibition also includes self-guided art activities and workshops encompassing a range of cultural and creative items and processes like chops, red envelopes and soup-making. (DF-JSM)
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