TAIWAN CRAFTS JOURNAL

Nov. 2017 / Vol.67

|Feature

Taiwan Crafts Touch Your Heart – Local, Sustainable and International

 A craft work from one’s heart has become a new must-have in Taiwan. It is closely associated with what a brand really aims for, as well as what a craftsperson believes in heart and a whole new landscape of crafts created by him/her. A good work can move people and make our hearts throb with its texture, purity and passion about life. That is also why a craft work is so popular right now and ready to reach out to a more diverse market. From three perspectives – localization, sustainability and the path to the world stage, this issue features the new craft trend, new brands or craftspeople in Taiwan and explores their stories and achievements.

Local Resources and Local Art Creation Lead to New Aesthetics

 The best thing we can do to the earth is to take what we need from nature and use it to do what is the best for nature, and eventually give everything back to nature. Many craftspeople escape the hustle and bustle from the efficiency oriented modern society to explore the land they live on. This article features the Da Ya – Chao Kiln and the Formo/Lacquer Studio, introducing how they incorporate local resources and local cultures into what they do to create a new aesthetics that can only be found here on the island of Taiwan.

Sustainable Development to Usher in New Life for the Craft Industry

 We all wish to see a sustainable enterprise that could last for a long time and that applies to good crafts as well. How do traditional crafts stand the test of time and adapt to the new market? A good operation strategy is the key. This article walks you through the stories of Spring Pool Glass, Strauss and Anta Pottery and explores their operation philosophy and craftsmanship. How do they transform themselves to find the predominance again and let good crafts continue to grow and thrive？

Beauty in Transparency and Zen in Crystal Art – When LIULI Meets the West

LIULIGONGFANG is the very first Liuli glass art workshop ever founded in Taiwan and also the first Liuli brand that focuses on Chinese culture in the world. In its 70 galleries all over the globe, these works with sophisticated Chinese flavors are interacting fervently with local cultures. This article goes through the history of LIULI and how it navigates on the world stage, hoping it could be the role model for local brands that set the sights on the international market.