TAIWAN CRAFTS JOURNAL

Sep. 2016 / Vol.62

| Feature

Big Stage: Feel the Public Art

Crafts are created to meet the needs of human beings in daily life. They come from the land we live in and instilled with human wisdom and warmth. Installation works in public space usually had nothing to do with local culture and did not interact with viewers in the past. They did not inspire human emotions nor talked to the public. The skills and forms of traditional crafts are the results of predecessors' wisdom and efforts in life, generation after generation. A piece of work made of craftsmanship and natural materials that many people know and sometimes obtained thanks to the help of others can relate to the land, local life and viewers. Dialogue and interaction with the public therefore ensue, resonating with people. It is no longer a lone and superior work of art that is up there and only belongs to its creator, but associates closely with people’s life. It is nothing but public in public space, telling the story of local culture and wisdom and embodies the value of human beings.

A Look into How Bamboo Crafts Are Used in Public Space and Development of  Local Style

In consideration of durability, public art pieces in early days were often made in metal, stone and ceramics. Nowadays, a variety of natural and local materials have been adopted to better portray local life and culture. Crafts encompassed in public space create great atmosphere that is conducive to establishing identifiable styles of local communities. Bamboo is one important natural material in Taiwan. This article is aimed to talk about local culture from the perspective of public art and share some examples of bamboo crafts incorporated in public space. It will also analyze the strategies used in Chushan Township, Taiwan and Damyang County, Korea to develop bamboo culture.

Fiber Public Art Works that Put Everybody Together

Public art according to many people is made to enrich modern architecture and urban environment, adding some tenderness and colors into the hard and overwhelming concrete jungle. It belongs to the public. A few years after the guidelines for installation of public art came into force; however, it has gone the totally opposite way. A couple of pieces in recent years have changed how people look at public art. Rather than firm and strong, they are softer and based on craft skills. Involving the thoughts and power of many people, they are the quintessential manifestation of public art.

When Fiber Crafts Go Public and Local: A Perspective from the Setouchi Triennale

Fiber is the commonly used material to show local culture. From traditional wall hanging weavings to the pieces in modern spaces that boast personality and personal stories, the audience is invited to either feel a work in a public space rich with cultural context, join in its making process, or even become a part of the work. As versatile and public as it is, fiber is something artists use to interpret their views on local communities. A piece of fiber arts not only links with the audience easily but also invites public participation in the making process.