公告資訊
2024.11.05
Taitung Crafts Make a Return at FIND Singapore! In 2024, the Taitung County Government once again brought Taitung artisans to the Asia Design Fair (FIND-Design Fair Asia) under the theme “Austronesian Ripples of Art,” marking the second time they participated in the event. From September 26 to 28, the exhibition was held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. With a rich and diverse showcase, the exhibition allowed international audiences to once again experience the cultural allure and creative excellence of Taitung.
The Taitung Pavilion exhibition area consists of two sections: representative local brands and international artist-in-residence exchange works.
In recent years, the Taitung County Government has been deeply cultivating the theme of Austronesian culture, focusing on the contemporary relevance of craftsmanship. Their goal is to reinterpret the cultural arts and techniques left by the Austronesian ancestors on this land, starting from Taitung. This includes using natural materials sourced from the land, such as ramie, paper mulberry, glass sand, and wood, to create craft works that blend with contemporary aesthetics. These creations embark on a new journey along the maritime routes, much like the spread of the Austronesian language family—rippling outward to share the beauty and skills honed by the people and the land, continuing the exchange and cultural dialogue with other islands.
The Taitung Pavilion at the “FIND – Design Fair Asia” consists of two main sections: five representative local brands and six sets of international artist-in-residence exchange works. The local representative brands are Cottonhemp, Abus Bunun Traditional Weaving workshop, Jiao Glass, artisan Chen Shu-Yen, and artisan Gao Xian-Ting. The showcased works span a variety of crafts, including linen crochet, ramie weaving, glass beadwork, bark art, and wood carving.
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The Abus Bunun Traditional Weaving workshop incorporates the Bunun people's natural resources, sustainable principles, and craft traditions to create contemporary lifestyle crafts. Using ramie grown on Taitung's land and natural dyes, they employ traditional weaving techniques to produce items that align with modern aesthetics.
Cottonhemp embraces the brand philosophy of "living in harmony with nature while upholding human dignity and ethics." Using natural cotton and linen yarns, combined with the traditional hand-weaving techniques of elders from Taitung's indigenous communities, they create one-of-a-kind woven bags, each a unique masterpiece.
Jiao Glass creates contemporary glass bead designs rooted in the rich culture of the Paiwan people. Their work not only showcases ancestral patterns but also draws inspiration from nature, finding creative expression in the forms and lines of waves, water ripples, insects, and more.
Chen Shu-Yen utilizes paper mulberry and bark cloth techniques, materials historically used by Austronesian peoples to traverse oceans, to reimagine the intimate connection between humans and the land. Through manual pounding and shaping, she transforms natural fibers into works that reveal the patterns and textures of the earth.
Gao Xian-Ting crafts traditional wooden utensils and tribal knife works that reflect the life values of Puyuma men. Through his knife carving, he embodies ancestral wisdom while showcasing his unique artistic flair.
Taitung's crafts have left a profound impression on the international stage.
This year’s international artist-in-residence feature local Taitung artisans Chang Chia-Hui, Wang Yu-Ching, and Su Yu-Ting, along with three international artists: Thai contemporary jewelry artisan Rudee Tancharoen, Singaporean weaving artisan Kelly Jin Mei, and Tongan bark painting artisan Tui Emma Gillies.
Rudee Tancharoen
Kelly Jin Mei
Tui Emma Gillies
Su Yu-Ting
Wang Yu-Ching
Chang Chia-Hui
The exhibited works include bark art, mixed media, ceramics, and metalwork, offering a rich and diverse range of creations. These works reflect the cultural essence and unique characteristics of Pacific Islander crafts under the Austronesian theme. It is a cross-national, cross-media, and cross-disciplinary collective exhibition that brings together a wide spectrum of artistic expressions.
At the opening event of the Taitung Pavilion, Anu Ku Cheng-Jun, lead singer of the Taitung-based band Pisalu, perform several songs in the indigenous language. Artisan Abus also joins in to add harmonies, creating a memorable musical experience that highlights the region’s cultural richness.
In addition to the diverse showcase of Taitung crafts, the event will feature live music by Anu Ku Cheng-Jun, lead singer of the Taitung-based band Pisalu, on the opening day. There were also interactive activities, including a “weaving experience” led by the Abus Bunun Traditional Clothing Studio and a “glass bead DIY” session by Jiao Glass. Through these exhibits and activities, the event highlights the essence and unique characteristics of Pacific Islander culture and crafts under the Austronesian theme. The aim is to share more of Taitung’s charm as the “Cultural Homeland of Austronesia” with an international audience.
Abus demonstrates traditional Bunun weaving techniques at the event and invites international guests to join in the hands-on experience, allowing them to engage with the craft and learn about its cultural significance.
Lung Hui-Mei from Cottohemp personally introduce and explain the works, sharing insights into the craftsmanship and the brand's philosophy.
The event also attracted local Singaporean artisans who came to exchange ideas and collaborate.
The Director of the Cultural Affairs of Taitung County also engaged in discussions with attendees at the event, fostering connections and sharing insights.
Since the 2023 exhibition, Taitung has been the only participating unit from Taiwan. This year, it returns to FIND with an even more diverse collection of Austronesian art and crafts, receiving enthusiastic responses. Many attendees expressed how impressed they were with last year’s Taitung Pavilion, praising the showcased works and their quality. They were delighted to see a new array of creations this year, which further highlights the diversity and charm of Taitung’s craft culture, leaving a lasting impression.
A delegation of Taitung artisans traveled to Singapore to represent their crafts at the exhibition, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage and artistic talents on the international stage.
To ensure that who couldn’t attend in Singapore still have the chance to experience the exhibition, a more convenient option has been provided: Online Exhibition (https://reurl.cc/E6QlGm). Accessible until November 30, this virtual exhibition allows viewers to appreciate the showcased works without the limitations of time and space. Everyone is invited to explore and share the beauty of Taitung crafts online.
Adviser: National Development Council, Ministry of Culture
Organizer: Taitung County Government
Implementer: XIOY Branding
Website：https://www.ttart-ripple.tw/
Facebook：https://reurl.cc/y6E6NO
Taitung County Cultural Affairs：https://culture.taitung.gov.tw/
