Organized by Changhua County Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, The Eternity─Changhua Public Art Creation Festival runs for 15 days and offers a fresh take on central Taiwan’s potential as a hub for creative activities with strong ties to the environment.
Changhua Magistrate Wei Ming-ku said at the opening ceremony Sept. 6 that this year’s edition was unlike previous ones as it involves artists from home and abroad working with members of the public to create pieces at tourist attractions such as Changhua County Art Museum and Mt. Bagua Buddha Scenic Area.
“They will use brick, oil, stone and wood to forge special artworks leaving a mark on the community and later going on exhibition at various venues around the county.”
The artists are Chen Chu-ming, Chiu Tai-yang and Lin Wen-hai from Taiwan, as well as Liliya Pobornikova of Bulgaria, Francesco Panceri of Italy, Atsushi Yoshida from Japan, Nando Alvarez of Spain and Darryl Bisson of the U.S.
A brick wall by Lin, a professor of fine arts at Tunghai University in Taichung City, is the festival’s first piece. Commenced outside the bureau’s headquarters, it represents a transition from traditional to modern construction materials.
“The artwork also illustrates the necessity of preserving cultural heritage while breaking new creative ground for the future,” Lin said.
Equally impressive is an installation by Bisson. Situated at Lai He Wall of Poetry at Mt. Bagua, the creation offers visitors the opportunity to work with the artist in building a house made from locally sourced bamboo, soil, straw and wood.
Another event certain to prove popular is the Sept. 13 youth sketch contest themed on the museum building and Great Buddha Statue at Mt. Bagua. (YCH-JSM)
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