Results of an online survey suggested that craftworks made with lazurite, or colored glass, are top choices for Taiwanese when giving to foreign friends.
Lin Cheng-yi (林正儀), director-general of National Taiwan Craft Research Institute, which conducted the survey recently, said that other top choices were pottery and ceramic works, or bamboo handicrafs, followed by tea leaves and local specialty foods.
Lazurite artwork is the most popular because of its oriental elements and delicate texture, Lin said.
Lin introduced the survey results on Monday as he announced Taiwan’s participation next month in the Tokyo International Gift Show Autumn 2008, a first for Taiwan.
The four-day show will be held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center from Sept. 2 to Sept. 5.
Established in 1976, the show is one of the largest gift and decorative accessory trade fairs in the world.
The fashion design will showcase daily supplies of objects combining fashion elements and hand-made textures, like bamboo-made electric fans and spectacle frames, as well as many other items made with other craft skills like silver forging, indigo dye and ceramic art.
Green design includes works made with recycled friendly materials. There will be miniatures of monkeys and owls made of iron or glass in the category, while technology design includes consumer electronic products, like earphones and mobile phones, made with crafts, Lin said.
Huang Pi-tuan (黃碧端), minister of the Council for Cultural Affairs, said she hoped that Taiwan’s participation in the Tokyo exhibition would help introduce local craft art to the world and open up international channels for the artists that create it.
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