Photo Exhibition: “A Beautiful Day, Retro Taiwan II”
In order to enhance American major community’s acknowledgement of Taiwan culture, Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles has been actively scheduling various visual and performing art events, since the Academy establishment in October last year. This year, the Academy will continue to host “A Beautiful Day, Retro Taiwan II” photo exhibition from Feb. 6th to May 6th. Curator Ms. Shua-hua Chen and Emily Wang from Taiwan Cultural & Creativity Development Foundation will be hosting seminars about the specialty of Taiwan’s countryside life, the hardworking and persisting spirit of Hakka community, as well as the concept behind Mr. De-Yun Qiu’s artworks.
“A Beautiful Day” photo exhibition series includes six themes, one hundred artworks. Last year in October 2nd , Taiwan Academy has already showcased “Catching Breath”, “Life is Impermanent”, “The Bittersweet Land” three themes, with the exhibition of bamboo hat, copper pot, etc. items that can exemplify photography’s concept, receiving LACMA Chinese and Korean Art Center Director Setphen Little’s high recognition. From Feb. 6th , Taiwan Academy will be showing the other three themes “Culinary Routine”, “Joys and Sorrows Come and Go in Life”, “Living Happily Ever After”, wishing to most honestly display the scenery of Taiwan countryside’s life and development.
According to Taiwan Academy Director Benjamin Chi, to gradually build the reputation and broaden the recognition of Taiwan Academy, Taiwan Academy has been cooperating with various art institutes since its establishment, including “Cloud Gate” performance tour in west America, New Mexico artists Residency Program and others. Asides from that, Taiwan Academy has also host “A Beautiful Day, Retro Taiwan I” photo exhibition and “2014 Taiwan Film Series” movie screening series, which has been on the headline of the news from the fourth biggest west coast publication Los Angeles Times, titled “New Taiwan Academy features films from the island”.
Benjamin Chi said one of the purposes to establish Taiwan Academy was to promote Taiwan’s diverse cultures. Farming has been a very important part in the beginning stage of Taiwan’s development. As a result, it is reasonable to showcase Taiwan’s culture starting from the countryside. In the future, Taiwan Academy will be displaying more modern aspects of Taiwan culture, to further let people from around the world understand the classical as well as modern faces of Taiwan culture.
The curator Shua-Hua Chen of this “A Beautiful Day, Retro Taiwan” has been studying Taiwan culture for decades. Currently she has been exploring the possibility of daily life items. She came across De-Yun Qi’s photography when she was trying out a Hakka restaurant, amazed by the magical lightings those old daily life items were delivering. The works had been recognized by Golden Tripod Award from Taiwan.
Emily Wang, the executive of Taiwan Cultural & Creativity Development Foundation, received education and worked in Canada and the United States for more than a decade. Inspired by New York’s energetic culture and Florence the original of The Renaissance, she entered the architecture and urban design area. In 2011, she went back to Taiwan and created the complex space libLAB, receiving experiences in operating spaces. In 2014, she became the executive for the foundation, continue to promote relevant events centering stories and original creativity.
According to Taiwan Academy, the seminar is held on February 6, starting 7pm. Ms. Shua-hua Chen will be sharing Qi De-Yun’s photography under the topic “What did they say?” It will definitely be a precious opportunity. The reception starts at 6:30pm. There will served Taiwan traditional food, as well as limited edition gift bags for the first 20 audiences. To register, please contact info@taiwanacademyla.org.
Taiwan Academy address: 1137 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. TEL: 213-403-0168
