Metal works as art too

By Diana Freundl
CONTRIBUTING REPORTER
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004, Page 19

Some of the more polished works on display; designed by Wang Mei-jen, these pieces combine stainless steel with gold. PHOTO COURTESY OF HUA SHAN CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRY CENTER

Those looking to turn their home into a living art house can peruse and even purchase metal artworks that are as functional as they are creative. They are on exhibit at Huashan Cultural and Creative Industry Center (華山創意文化園區).

The Exhibition of Metal Works comprises a vast selection of household items and jewelry designed by 15 graduate students from the Taiwan National College of Art (TNCA) in Tainan.

The metalsmiths have filled a showroom with unique metal utensils, candle holders, canisters, teapots, rings, broaches and chokers. Employing various techniques, the pieces are made using a combination of lacquer, bronze, silver and gold in addition to ceramic, glass and crystal.

A necessary requirement of each piece, according to Wang Mei-jen (王梅珍) -- associate professor and founder of the metal works program at the TNCA -- is that it must be functional.

Exhibition notes: `The Exhibition of Metal Works' runs until April 25 in the Fruit and Wine building at Huashan Cultural and Creative Industry Center Where: 1 Bade Rd, Sec 1, Taipei (台北市八德路一段1號) Telephone: 2392 6180.

"Our requirements are that each piece has a purpose and that it functions properly. One of the students designed a teapot and a requirement of a good teapot is to not have any liquid inside after you pour out the tea. When she completed her project I tested it," said Wang, adding, "if a piece does not meet the requirements then the student must refine it."

When asked if students were permitted to work on sculptures or abstract works of non-practical use, Wang replied, "definitely, but they [students] are busy with class projects. There is not much time to work on other projects."

Whether it is a teapot or a choker, in addition to serving a practical purpose, each piece is distinct in its design, distinguishing it from the bulk of mass-produced household utensils.

A former student and exhibitor, Chen Chih-yang (陳志揚), explained how he combined different metals -- copper, bronze and silver -- to create a mountainous landscape on the outside of each of five containers on display. The manipulation of metals creates contours in the shape of mountains, while the blending of colors takes on the appearance of lakes and clouds.

Some of the works, including a number of salt and pepper shakers, share an uncanny resemblance to the Alessi brand of household gadgets. Others, most notably a dragon broach designed by Lin Shu-ya (林淑雅), illustrate such meticulous detail that it leaves one wondering how a human hand could achieve such precision.

While some viewers may feel the metal works and their price list belong in a department store display-case rather than an art exhibition showroom, few can deny the skill and unique design that went into each piece.