Art exhibition exploring historical perspectives of Taiwan’s coastline kicks off in Taipei

Art exhibition exploring historical perspectives of Taiwan’s coastline kicks off in Taipei

2023-05-30

Today we take you to meet Taiwanese award-winning artist Wang Yi-ting. In 2020, she began exploring Taiwan’s coastlines, and she began to imagine how these seashores may have been perceived by each regime that has controlled Taiwan, such the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century. She thought about how these perspectives have been incorporated into maps of Taiwan’s borders over the years. In her latest solo exhibition, Wang showcases her findings. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Wang to find out more.

This artwork, "Partial View of Taiwan" was created by artist Wang Yi-ting. This piece only showcases a partial view of the island of Taiwan. Wang says the work was inspired by the Kangxi Imperial Atlas of China from the 17th century.

Wang Yi-ting
Artist
It is inside five glass spheres. There is a sculpture that looks like half of Taiwan. In fact, according to Kangxi’s map, there was only half of Taiwan at that time. Using the Kangxi map drawn in the 17th century, I imagined our other half of Taiwan, and whether or not the unchartered part holds out more possibilities. Therefore, I used the other half of the glass as a longitudinal and latitudinal line and then divided it to draw the imaginary other half of Taiwan.

Another piece constructed by Wang is called "Coastline No.6, Coastline No.7". She printed different coastlines of Taiwan, folded them, and put them onto metal plates.

Wang Yi-ting
Artist
I folded it to experiment with the sea level which looks flat. Now, it can be transformed into a bigger space, with different connections at different points in time.

Wang is an award-winning artist. She holds a Master’s in Fine Arts from the Marseille-Mediterranean College of Art and Design in France and specializes in sculpture and painting. In 2020, Wang set out to explore Taiwan and the shifts and changes related to territorialization and deterritorialization along the coastline. Wang conducted much field research in Taiwan. In her latest exhibition "Sea Rhythms," she showcases her observations through videos, sculptures, installations, and prints.

Wang Yi-ting
Artist
After a three-year survey of the coastlines in various parts of Taiwan, on-site scenes gradually turned abstract. I explored a lot of places on the northern coast. I also visited seascapes in Hualien and participated in a workshop in the south.

Wang’s solo exhibition will be held at Taipei’s Museum of Contemporary Art till June 25.

王怡婷個展記錄台灣海岸線的變化

2023-05-30

今天我們帶你認識台灣獲獎無數藝術家王怡婷。2020年，她開始探索台灣的海岸線，想像這些海岸如何被每個曾經控制台灣的政權所看待，在為期三年的踏查之後，她推出了「海律─王怡婷個展」，透過影片、雕塑、裝置和版畫呈現她的觀察。

只呈現台灣西半部的作品《部分的台灣》，出自藝術家王怡婷之手，構想源自17世紀，康熙皇帝命人繪製的《皇輿全覽圖》。

[[藝術家王怡婷]]
"它是一個五個玻璃球裡面，有一個像半台灣的雕塑作品，其實我根據康熙的地圖，那時候只有一半的台灣，在17世紀繪製的康熙地圖，我想像我們的另一半台灣，未被繪製的樣貌會不會有可能有更多的可能性，所以我把另一半以玻璃作為經緯線，然後劃分，繪製想像的另外一半的台灣"

作品《海線No.6》與《海線No.7》，則是將海岸線影像透過金屬板平面輸出後再折疊和重疊。

[[藝術家王怡婷]]
"利用空間的折疊，去試驗原本我們看起來是平面的海平面，怎麼讓它轉化為更多的空間，還有不同的時空交錯"

王怡婷是一位屢獲殊榮的藝術家，擁有法國馬賽地中海高等藝術與設計學院碩士學位的她，專攻雕塑和繪畫。2020年開始，王怡婷透過大量的實地踏查，記錄台灣海岸線領土化和去領土化的變化。透過影片、雕塑、裝置和版畫，王怡婷在最新個展「海律─王怡婷個展」中，呈現出自己的心得。

[[藝術家王怡婷]]
"為期三年在台灣各地的踏查海岸線以後，由實地的、實景的方式慢慢的轉為抽象，我探索的地方很多在北部的北海岸，然後也有東部花蓮的海景，也有在南部參與一些海線計畫的工作坊"

王怡婷的個展在台北當代藝術館展出至6月25日。

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I’m a pacifist, and a staunch supporter of democracy. I know well that peace is priceless and that there are no winners in a war. But it’s also very clear to me that peace cannot be achieved simply by choosing it. We have to use our power and be determined to defend our nation, the safety of our people and their property. Only that is true peace.

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If we don’t negotiate today, if we don’t communicate, we will never have the possibility of peace.

Despite not being nominated for president by the KMT, Gou has kept himself firmly in the public eye. Walking around Kinmen, he was swarmed with supporters.

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Gou was accompanied by Kinmen County Council Speaker Hung Yun-tien 洪允典and lawmaker Chen Yu-chen, both from the KMT. It was as if the KMT primary were still ongoing. Also at the religious ceremony was Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-je. He and Gou shared a stage, fueling the rumors of a joint ticket in 2024.

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Panelists talk CCP meddling in 2024 election

China has already begun to interfere in Taiwan’s 2024 election, scholars say. At a panelist discussion hosted by the DPP, experts said China was attempting to influence the outcome, favoring candidates who would be compliant to Beijing. The panelists warned Taiwan’s political parties not to be become pawns in China’s unification agenda.

Tung Li-wen
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Just now the moderator said that it’s “possible” – I think we can remove the word “possible” and replace it with “it’s certain.” The CCP is interfering with Taiwan’s democratic election, and it’s not a question of if, but how.

The DPP’s China affairs department held a panel discussion on cross-strait variables that may affect the coming election. According to Professor Tung Li-wen, the CCP’s objective is to ensure that the most compliant candidates get elected.

Tung Li-wen
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“U.S. skepticism” or “anti-Americanism” consists of three parts: One, China is a great power. Two, Taiwan would lose a war. Three, the U.S. would run. The conclusion is that Taiwan should surrender. Don’t be the one who opens the door to Chinese annexation of Taiwan. We’re echoing what Chairman Lai Ching-te said, that the essence of cross-strait conflict is the confrontation between democracy and autocracy.

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Kuanyin-tea-infused prawns, Thai prawn soup, prawns and spinach in a cheese gratin… All these dishes star frozen freshwater prawns imported from Vietnam or Thailand. Peel back the shells and you can see just how fresh they are.

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Pai Fang-ping
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The teacher patiently gives a lesson on the piano. Beautiful melodies ring through the center.

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Besides medication, there are other ways to encourage older adults, such as by encouraging them to exercise and by interacting with them. Learning can delay dementia and disability. Music is important.

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