An air of refinement amongst the South Link’s stunning scenery. The best backdrop for the “2021 Nanhui Art Project”
A trip to Taitung is in order after the pandemic subsides. As you travel along the South Link Highway, you’ll discover a new side of southern Taitung County. The theme of this year’s Nanhui Art Project is “Sicevudan.” This is a Paiwan word that means “converge with the source.” Sicevudan symbolizes the power of art to overcome ethnic and regional differences. The Nanhui Art Project has invited 14 well-known groups of Taiwanese and foreign artists to participate. Through their instillations, these 14 groups will reflect the culture and characteristics of different parts of the South Link. The event has also gotten local indigenous youth involved and given them the chance to display their unique energy.
The Nanhui Art Project is scheduled to start in August. The following will take you from north to south and will introduce the artists featured in the exhibition. Along the way, you’ll pass through relaxing and dreamy scenery that’s the backdrop for the different art instillations. After reading, you’ll have a better understanding behind meaning of these 14 different pieces. Once restrictions are lifted, come to the South Link for a brief cultural tour. Spending even one day down here will put your mind and body at ease.
Ruvuwa’an is the birthplace for the Beinan of Katratripulr Village. The Beinan believe that their ancestors were created from the fissure of a giant stone. Artist Aichin Rao and PinG.Crush found inspiration for their work in this creation myth. The base of the instillation is five large stones. The piece’s driftwood symbolizes the hardships of a large flood and our connection to nature. Young people teamed up with the tribe’s women to create the mosaic attached to the piece. This mosaic reflects local aesthetics and culture. The piece’s cross stitching symbolizes tribe’s gratitude towards the creator.
Location: 370km on Highway 9
Andres Amador is a famous artist from the US. Amador is very passionate about ancient art that features geometric patterns. In Coordinated Chaos, Amador explores the origins of Austronesian culture by bringing together indigenous imagery from Taiwan and New Zealand. Amador employs sand sculpture and stone arrangement to create giant, mysterious geometric symbols on the beach. This piece represents the connection that’s made between people and place through art. Ultimately, Coordinated Chaos is a bridge that fosters communication between two cultures.
Location: Huayuan Bay
How long has it been since you went to the beach for some fresh air? Take off your shoes and feel the gentle sand between your toes while the sun gently caresses your face. In his mosaic instillation, artist Lin Yzu-yaw combined a hallmark of Taiwanese culture, the white and blue slipper, with indigenous symbols. The implied meaning behind Lin’s piece is the convergence of visitors and local culture. A pair of giant slippers facing the sea hints at a feeling of absolute freedom. I bet you’re picturing yourself running towards the Pacific Ocean at this very moment.
Location: The beach at Taimali Dawn Park
Israeli artist Idan Zareski sticks to his intuition and emotion when making art. Zareski was deeply moved by the South Link’s stunning natural beauty. He hopes that his sculpture of this barefoot giant can connect the South Link with the world.
Location: The beach at Taimali Dawn Park
Artist and Paiwan princess Aluaiy Kaumakan is an expert at traditional weaving. Kaumakan created three colorful upright instillations for her piece, Listen Carefully. Three gates stand amidst the sounds of nature that exist between the mountains and the sea. Visit the instillation and enjoy the pleasant harmony of waves and rustling leaves.
Location: The garden at Taimali Station
Architect and artist, Eric Chen, created Serendipity out of stone and stainless-steel fishing wire. This instillation captures and transforms the mist floating around Jinzhen Mountain into water droplets. These droplets trickle down the instillation’s wires onto its stone floor. This extra water helps native plants grow and shapes the trajectory of life itself.
Location: Flower patch below Wangyou Valley, Jinzhen Mountain
The heavens were a product of our forebearers observations and imagination. In this vein, artist Hana Keliw uses rectangular and circular form to incorporate the sky, Earth and people into her work. This symbolizes humanity’s peaceful coexistence with nature. The instillation features a circle with a gap, which represents the wisdom of indigenous people.
Location: Jinlun Beach
On Top of the Hill is a collaboration between weaver Chen Shu-yen and instillation artist Tuwak Tuyaw. The piece looks like the eye of a gigantic eagle, perched on a mesa, looking out towards the sea. Located in Jinlun Old Village, this instillation symbolizes the eyes of the forest. From ancient times up until the present, these eyes have been forever watching over the forests, rivers and villages of Jinlun.
Location: Jinlun Old Village (Kanadun)
Renowned artist Qiu Shang-wei has called Taitung home for many years. This piece, however, was inspired by the movement of young people out of the South Link. Qiu’s large metal instillation is composed of two faces looking at each other (calling and meeting). This reflects the longing parents have for their children who have left the village. In his work, Qiu also melds together the legends of Daniao Village and imagery from local culture.
Location: Daniao Recreation Area
This work is a collaboration between South African artist Strijdom van der Merwe and Taiwanese artist Zhou Sheng-xian. Stairway to Heaven creates the optical illusion of an extending staircase that should let you to walk right into the Pacific Ocean! Merwe and Zhou both hoped to create a tangible outline of a stairway to heaven in the South Link. The piece beckons the viewer into the unknown. It is stirring you to pursue your dreams and unlock a world of unimagined possibilities.
Location: Dawu Nanbin Recreation Area
Etan Pavavalung is a Paiwan artist from Davalan Tribe, Pingtung. His work is rustic, mysterious and full of imaginative energy. In “Echoes,” Pavavalung invites the wind of Austronesia back to Sicevud, the source of everything. The underlying meaning of “Echoes” comes from the spirit and imagery of indigenous lilies. The piece symbolizes salvation and rebirth. A glimpse at “Echoes” transmits the poetic feeling and imagination of Austronesia.
Location: Shangwu 9420 Binhai Recreation Area
Eleng Luluan, an internationally acclaimed indigenous artist from Taiwan, creates world-class mixed media pieces and instillations that involve nature. The Starting Point is full of vibrant color. Luluan uses various images to spur her viewer’s imagination. There’s no need to rush your way through The Starting Point. Once you’re in the South Link, you might as well slow down and take in the beautiful scenery.
Location: Shangwu 9420 Binhai Recreation Area
The name for BUBU comes from the Balinese word for “fish trap.” Indonesian artist I Wayan Sadera used two types of weaving to create two giant fish traps on the South Link coastline. His work aims to blend into the South Link’s mountain and ocean scenery. Fish traps represent traditional craftsmanship. Through his work, Sadera hopes to create awareness around the importance of cultural heritage.
Location: Nantian Coastal Park
The South Link is seen as Taiwan’s southernmost portion. Through their instillation, artist collective 404 N.F hopes to show that “southern” is merely subjective. Their piece features galvanized square tubes, pipes and sheet metal. 404 N.F invites the viewer to use intuition to connect with the South Link.
Location: Nantian Coastal Park
Photo Source: Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department
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