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Taiwanese artists find a new voice

By Susan Kendzulak
CONTRIBUTING REPORTER
Thursday, Sep 06, 2007, Page 15

The Istanbul Biennial in Turkey is one of the world's most prestigious exhibitions, equal in stature to the Venice and Sao Paulo Biennials. This year, three Taiwanese artists will be featured.

The 10th installment, which opens tomorrow and runs through Nov. 4, will be curated by Hou Hanru. Well known in Taiwan for his frequent lectures here, Hou is the director of exhibitions and public programs at San Francisco Art Institute. Hou was educated at the Central Institute of Fine Arts in Beijing and has curated exhibitions all over the world. His theme for the biennial is "Not Only Possible, but Also Necessary: Optimism in the Age of Global War."

Chen Chieh-jen (陳界仁), one of the three local artists that will join the lineup of over 80 exhibitors, will show his videos Bade Area 2005, The Route 2006 and On Going 2006. Chen first gained attention with his martial-law era protest-style performance art. Some of his first works were black and white digital photographs of torture scenes. He now creates auteur-esque cinematic works producing his films from start to finish, imbibing them with his own unique qualities.

Chen Hui-chiao's Here and Now - Bubbles of Perception - In the End Is the Beginning.

His richly-textured, silent slow motion shots create more than a visual feast, however. His recent films show the negative impact globalization has on local factory workers by linking physical torture to slow economic strangulation.

During the opening of the biennial, Chen will give a performance in which an Istanbul vendor hawks pirated versions of his DVDs - with the proceeds going to charity - as a comment on how art is often hijacked by the capitalist market.

Co-founder of Taipei's alternative art space IT Park, Chen Hui-chiao (陳慧嶠), will also be featured in the biennial. She will show installations that debuted at Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art. The works include Here and Now: Wings of Senses II and Bubbles of Perception: In the end is the beginning. Drawing on mystical influences such as the zodiac and the subconscious, Chen's tableau-like installations are dream-like and theatrical.

Peng Hung-Chih (彭弘智), a graduate of National Taiwan Normal University, will exhibit his videos: 10 Commandments and Islamic Exegesis. Peng's video work has been shown in various cities around the world and features his dog who licks the empty wall to reveal religious texts. As the dog licks the blank white wall, dark-colored words materialize. In his videos, Peng looks at the complicated world of society, religion and politics from a dog's perspective.

Collectively, these artists prove that Taiwan's art scene is gaining momentum. Their inclusion in the Istanbul Biennial proves that this is recognizable on an international level.
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