Introduction

Culture emerges from the accumulation of lived experiences. Craftsmanship is one of the most tangible manifestations of those experiences. It is rooted in everyday life and has existed within it for centuries. As times change, technology advances, and lifestyles evolve, the forms of craftsmanship may constantly evolve, but its essence rooted in everyday life remains unchanged. However, when craftsmanship becomes confined within established categories and conventional exhibition structures, it begins to drift away from everyday life.

The core theme of the 2026–2027 Craft Pilgrimage is “More Than Craftsmanship.” It aims to reopen the dialogue between craftsmanship and contemporary life. Craftsmanship is no longer simply a display within a single field, instead it has transformed into a medium that resonates and intertwines with cultural tourism, art, music, and technology, allowing craftsmanship to transcend existing boundaries and naturally flow back into the daily lives of the public, following the texture of life.

The theme of this exhibition, “More Than Just Craftsmanship”, is not about a change in form, but rather how craftsmanship is reintegrating into contemporary life. From local culture, material usage to sensory experiences and future technologies. Craftsmanship has always reflected how people respond to their environment in life and leave behind cultural traces of their times. As technology always originates from humanity, craftsmanship always originates from life. Both are closely connected to human needs, emotions and the changes of the times.

The exhibition's curatorial theme is Craftsmanship on the Island and it extends to four directions. Section of Nantou titled “Tracing the Footprints of the Land”, transforms natural elements and landscape textures into tangible traces. Section of Hualien titled“Constructing a Contemporary Vocabulary“, transforms the creators' , emotions and life experiences into contemporary narratives. Section of Taipei titled “Condensing Sensory Rhythms“ unfolds a profound dialogue about craftsmanship and sound through the deconstruction of musical instruments and the translation of sensory dimensions. While section of Kaohsiung which titled ”Driving Technological Evolution“, presents new forms of craft culture in motion through technological intervention and generative transformation.

Dialogues have always played a main role of how people get to know each other and structure the society since long time ago. Through all types of meeting from different perspectives and world widely, it collapses and embarks new innovations. Craftsmanship x Cross-Domain Dialogue leads the viewers re-understanding craftsmanship from a completely new perspective. Transcending traditional boundaries, this exhibition explores the multiple roles and values of craftsmanship in contemporary society. It is not only a visual experience but also an exchange of ideas, perceptions, and creativity. It breaks down frameworks to explore craftsmanship and life on more levels and creates deeper cultural significance.

All the elements which existed in different parts of the society aren’t alone. They are promoting and extend each other through their intertwining. The core of this project is craftsmanship, it reinterprets its multiple position and values in modern society. Showing the deeper and broader layers of craftsmanship across culture, daily life, and industry. “More Than Just Craftsmanship” focuses on is not the expansion of forms but to make craftsmanship back to daily, as fluidly as water to exist in the daily life. It shapes the appearance of contemporary culture subtly and continuously and becomes an important medium connecting people with life, tradition with the future. Becomes an important media that connects people, life, tradition and the future.

Nantou Section: More Than Just Craftsmanship
Tracing the Footprints of the Land  [ Cultural Tourism Exhibition Area ]

Exhibition Period: June 5, 2026 – May 9, 2027
Venue: Floors 1–3, Craft Exhibition Hall, National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute
 (No. 573, Zhongzheng Rd., Caotun Township, Nantou County, Taiwan)

begins with local customs, daily habits and the materials of craftsmanship. It observes how differences of craftsmanship can respond to different environments. From mountains and oceans to urban landscapes, craft traditions are not only demonstrations of skill. They also carry the memories of everyday local life. It also embodies an emotional and cultural connections that people have accumulated over a long period of time with the land.

This exhibition area combines craftsmanship and cultural tourism together, makes craftsmanship not only objects being seen but guides the viewers to a deeper understanding of local culture. Throughout the interpretations of natural elements and geographical landscape, local stories are transformed into experiential journeys.

It’s an extension as a deep culture and economical experience. Makes craftsmanship as fluidly as water to exist in the daily life. Demonstrate its warmth, value, and local vitality continuously.

Hualien Section: More Than Just Craftsmanship
Constructing a Contemporary Vocabulary [ Indigenous Arts Exhibition Area ]

Exhibition Period: September 4 – November 22, 2026
Venue: 1F, Building 17, Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park
(No. 144, Zhonghua Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan)

Starting from ethnic patterns, material textures and traditional techniques, they are given a new artistic vocabulary. As times change, people's lifestyles, emotional attachments and cultural expressions continue to evolve. Crafts also record the emotional memories and cultural identities of different generations through objects, techniques and lifestyles.

In this exhibition area, through the cross-disciplinary integration of craftsmanship and original art, transforms craftsmanship from merely preserved cultural symbols into a language for expressing emotions and responding to the times. Through the transformation and interpretation of different creators. In the dialogue between the works and the space, craftsmanship and art intertwine and coexist, allowing the cultural spirit carried by the past to be transformed into a contemporary life narrative, awakening the humanistic emotions and cultural resonance in the hearts of viewers.

Taipei Section: More Than Just Craftsmanship
Condensing Sensory Rhythm [ Pop Music Exhibition Area ]

Exhibition Period: January 14 – March 14, 2027
Venue: Lobby, 1F, Cultural Cube, Taipei Music Center
(No. 99, Sec. 7, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Nangang Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan)

To take sound and rhythm as its entry point to observe the transformation and extension of craftsmanship in contemporary pop culture. Through the structure and materials of instruments, craftsmanship is no longer simply a static production technique, but more a way of shaping people's perception of emotions, memories, and the rhythm of the city through sound and rhythm.

This exhibition area, through the cross-disciplinary fusion of craftsmanship and pop music, uses a deconstructed, exploding instrument installation as its core. The internal structure parts, and sound trajectory of the instrument are disassembled and extended into the space, allowing the craftsmanship details originally hidden behind the performance to be rediscovered. Through the interweaving of installations, lighting, and sensory circulation, the rhythm and energy of the music's flow are condensed, allowing viewers not only to "listen" to the music, but also to enter a sensory field co-constructed by sound and craftsmanship, and experience the new vocabulary generated by the collision of pop culture and craftsmanship.

Kaohsiung Section: More Than Just Craftsmanship
Driving Technological Evolution [ Technological Future Exhibition Area ]

Exhibition Period: January 29 – May 2, 2027
Venue: Special Exhibition Hall, 6F, Tri-Tower, National Science and Technology Museum
(No. 720, Jiuru 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung City, Taiwan)

To focuse on digital production, generative interaction and material innovation. It rethinks the position and value of craftsmanship in technological era. With the evolution of skills and the change of life needs, craftsmanship is no longer an extension of traditional skills but also with an interfere of technological, it expands to different ways of creating and sensational experiences, build up a whole new appearance of future life.

This exhibition area showcases the cross-disciplinary integration of craftsmanship and technology, demonstrating that they are not mutually exclusive, but more a dynamic of mutually driving and generating each other within an ever-evolving technological environment. From digital computing to material experimentation, from interactive installations to sensory responses, craftsmanship is no longer merely a display of manual skills, but has become a vital medium connecting people, technology, and future life. Visitors will also witness, through a sensory experience that blends the real and the virtual, how craftsmanship responds to the changing times and continues to nurture new cultural imaginations and possibilities for life.