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Take a step back in time through the lens of a camera

By Susan Kendzulak

Thursday, Oct 06, 2005, Page 13

An untitled black-and-white photo by Long Chin-shan. PHOTO COURTESY OF TIVAC

Currently on view at TIVAC is a historical photography exhibition by Long Chin-shan (郎靜山) who was born in 1892, in China, and died in 1995.

The Hidden Glamour -- The Unpublished Photography Works by Long Chin-Shan commemorates his prolific life on the 10th anniversary of his death. Long left behind an archive of 12,000 images with some 1,000 original negatives still in prime condition. Many photos document the turbulent changes of China during the war with Japan; others are of Taiwan's landscape.

Even though Long lived in China, his work deeply influenced aesthetic sensibilities in Taiwan.

For this exhibition 50 black-and-white photographs are on show, including pastoral landscape and portraits of famous Chinese figures. Photographs from Long's travels are also available to view.

To learn about the history of photography in China makes for a fascinating subject as two completely diverse and disparate cultures collided with the proliferation of photographic technology. Western daguerreotypes and photography were introduced into China around the mid-1800s, and by 1874, the new technology was widely embraced with professional Chinese photographers setting up lucrative portrait studios as well shooting landscapes and popular Chinese operas.

To learn more about this historical photographer and his influence on Taiwan, you may want to check out the two lecture sessions, to be

conducted in Chinese, that have been scheduled. On Saturday Oct. 8 at 2:30pm, "The Archeology Research of the Unfinished Photograph" will be moderated by scholars Hsiao Yung-Sheng (蕭永盛) and Chou Shiu-ping (周修平). And on Oct. 15 at 2:30pm prominent art critic/theorist Lin Chi-Ming (林志明) will lead a discussion titled "Another Long Chin-shan."

If you have a chance to go to Hsinchu, check out the National Hsinchu University of Education, HCTC Artist Space to see a solo exhibition of Lin Pey-chwen's (林珮淳) work entitled Fascination and Frustration.

The installations of sparkling light boxes with digital and video imagery capture the beauty of nature but contain a powerful message.

One of Taiwan's prominent feminist artists, Lin switched to making less politically driven work after teh 921 Earthquake rattled her spiritual self. She delved deeper into issues of faith and discovered Christianity. As a result the theme of man vs. nature and the return to nature, especially to the Garden of Eden dominante her work.

In the large technical piece City Matrix a large orb contains flashing neon lights and emits traffic sounds that mimic the artificiality of the metropolis. Peeping through a small lens at the top one can glimpse a butterfly. Wire tentacles extend from the orb toward individual panels of digital butterflies that change color via LED screens. In addition, a Web-cam captures the audience

viewing the work, yet its purpose is not to record the viewer but to symbolize the inescapability of the City Matrix -- since members of the audience are complicit in the art work's construction.

Even though the work seems light and airy at first, it conveys a pessimistic, alarmist message. Lin warns that humanity must protect the natural environment at all costs.

Exhibition notes:
What: `The Hidden Glamour -- The unpublished Photography Works' by Long Chin-Shan (郎靜山)
Where: Taiwan International Visual Arts Center

(TIVAC）(台灣國際視覺藝術中心), 1 F, 29, Ln 45, Liaoning Street, Taipei (台北市遼寧街45巷29號1樓)
Telephone: (02) 2773 3347
When: Until Oct 26.
What: `Fascination and Frustration,' a solo Exhibition by Lin Pey-chwen (林珮淳)
Where: National Hsinchu University of Education HCTC Artist Space (新竹教育大學 竹師藝術空間), 521 Nanda Road, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
Telephone: (03) 5213132
When: Until Oct. 27, Mon to Fri 9-5
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