By simply depicting a national flag folded in the wrong way, Mei Dean-E (梅丁衍) became a renegade in the art world in 1979 -- soon after he spent two months in jail for suspected subversive thinking.
That was the era of martial law in Taiwan and more than 10 years before you could safely make fun of the president's accent and the vice present's hairdo, and practically anything that goes in the field of art.
The keen observer of politics still has a lot to say these days, though in a more tongue-in-cheek manner, as shown by Displacement: Mei Dean-E Solo Exhibition (梅式解讀玩：梅丁衍個展), currently on show at Taipei's Museum of Contemporary Art
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As the second installment of MOCA's "Taiwan Artists Today" series (搞破壞系列), which showcases artists advancing the frontiers of art, Displacement offers a comprehensive look at the 49-year-old Mei's works over two decades, including many of his political satires, which are no less relevant today.
Politics seems to have lost its appeal to artists these days. Even with the few works that do deal with politics, none are as incisive and witty as Mei's works.
The country's changing political situation has consistently inspired Mei, yet he never repeats himself, and that makes this exhibition full of surprises.
Are China and Taiwan "one China" or "one country on either side of the Taiwan Strait?" Mei has multi-layered answers. In his untitled 2001 animation, Taiwan is a calf that sucks milk from the China cow. Having had its fill, the calf walks away from the cow. Will the calf someday grow up? is the question.
An expanse of ocean has replaced China in The Map of Republic of China. Is this the mapmaker's wishful thinking or another interpretation of Taiwan's history? It's for the viewer to guess. At a time when the existence of the ROC as a name has been thrown in doubt, Mei seems to offer a fanciful solution to the country's identification problem.
In the Identity series that Mei has been working on since the 1990s, Taiwanese identity relies on its diplomatic relations with 26 countries, mostly in Latin America and Africa.
Frequent criticism of the government's "money diplomacy," trading large sums of financial assistance for recognition, has prompted Mei to playfully award each of the allies a shining medal inscribed "Long Live Friendship." Those who have broken relations with Taiwan are given medals that read "ungrateful."
Viewers are encouraged to sit on the large platform near the installation Give Me Hugs, which is scattered with cushions bearing the national flags of these countries. It's a place for viewers to chat about which flag belongs to which ally and find out whether ordinary Taiwanese believe these relationships are valuable.
The referendum on Taiwan's WHO entry is a lingering debate prompted by the SARS outbreak earlier this year. Before the actual referendum takes place, you can vote now in I I/ You You, a voting booth where you can decide whether China should shoulder all the responsibility for the outbreak, as well as several related questions.
Portraits of the Chinese and Taiwan presidents, with masks over their eyes hang on the sides of the voting booth.
"Displacement: Mei Dean-E Solo Exhibition" will run through November at Taipei's Museum of Contemporary Art, 39, Chang-an W Rd (
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