The quadrennial Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, was held in Hawaii this year, bringing together 27 Pacific Island nations, including a delegation from Taitung led by . County Magistrate April Yao. Members of the delegation curated the contemporary exhibition The Ocean in Us: Contemporary Imagery from Southern Taitung Islands. The grand opening took place on June 7th at the Honolulu Art Center, featuring artists and cultural figures. Singers and dance groups from Taitung also performed. Magistrate April Yao emphasized that this year’s Taitung Week in Hawaii focuses on contemporary arts, crafts, and cultural performances, fostering profound cultural exchanges with other Pacific island communities. The event aims to strengthen the longstanding ties between Taitung and Hawaii.
In Honolulu, Hawaii, the Taitung County Government hosted an art exhibition curated by Wu Shu-lun, director of Taitung Dawn Artist Studio. They invited three Taitung artists who presented 29 artworks themed around oceans, rivers, and islands. These contemporary art pieces depict Taiwan as an integral part of the Pacific Islands, addressing intertwined issues of ecology, sustainability, culture, and ethnicity. They aim to connect with the ocean and articulate contemporary responses, engaging in a global dialogue with communities from different Pacific islands.
The county government further explained that “The Ocean in Us” signifies our identity as part of the ocean. In the Pacific region where we reside, the ocean connects cultures and lives. From Taitung’s diverse cultural and artistic expressions, we observe the blend of traditional Austronesian heritage with contemporary evolution. This continuous expansion and adaptation address various challenges including environmental ecology and cultural diversity. Through such international exchanges, Taitung not only showcases its unique cultural charm but also deepens friendship and collaboration with Austronesian communities, adding greater diversity to the world.
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