TAIWAN CRAFTS JOURNAL

Dec.2016 / Vol.63

|Feature

See the Future in Another Place –Experiences and Strategies of Artist Residencies

Artists crave for inspiration to create art. Isolation and loneliness in a foreign land sometimes make someone embark on a journey of selfdiscovery and see the true self. If that is the case for you, go to somewhere new now!

Artist residencies continue to thrive in this era of internet and virtual world and seen as an effective way for artists to grow and learn different things. The artmaking process has a lot to do with human senses and the living experience in a foreign land as well as mutual exchanges with others keep artists going forward and connecting with the world.

Artists come for local culture, life and resources of the resident destination. They are making works of art to connect with the new environment, nature and local people. Art is supposed to interact with people and by exchanges with different communities, there is a chance that art could be taken to an even broader future.

Fire Ceramics in the Mountains adn Make Clothes besides the Sea–A Must-Try in Life: Residencies for Craft Artists

Residency styles and environments vary in different places. Craft artists could find some information and tips from those who have much experience as artist-in-residence here. Ceramic artist Shao Ting-ju was impressed with the people and things she came across during residency. She appreciates the unique experience that enriches her life. Fiber artist Kang Ya-chu believes it is important to be well-prepared and have an open mind. Choose a destination that inspires you to make art and easy to know other artists, you might get much more than expected. Gold craft artist Chen Yen-yi, on the other hand, suggests a longer stay in which artists have more time to explore a different lifestyle and incorporate into their works. Be flexible and adaptable is also the key, says Chen, to embrace what is new and different.

Why Residencies? Experiences from the Tainan National University of the Arts

As an artist-in-residence, one gets to reflect upon him/herself and exchange ideas with people of different cultures. The living experience in a foreign land and mutual exchanges become the momentum for artists to keep on going on the path of art. This article illustrates how the Graduate Institute of Applied Arts, Tainan National University of the Arts keeps promoting international exchanges and underscores the importance and influence of art residencies for emerging artists. Professor Chang Ching-yuan talks about some strategies and perspectives about how international exchanges work, while Professor Huang Wen-ying and several ceramic artists who graduated from the institute also share their residency experiences.

Arts as Landmarks: A New Way to See and Stay on the Land

This article goes deep into the planning and objective of the 2016 East Coast Land Art Festival, illustrating how this big event was put together and how the participating artists transformed what they saw along the highway no.11 on the east coast into their works that can connect visitors with the land they live on. Resonating with the theme this year: poetic living: a rest stop in landscape, the artists turned to the place they stayed for inspiration, using whatever materials found locally to create works that are true to themselves and fit perfectly to the natural surroundings. This gave people a chance to see and rest in East Taiwan in a totally different way.