The Pingtung County commissioner, Sue Chia-chung
Although many people, especially in Pingtung, would be pleased to see such a marvelous concert hall or theater erected in the county, there are disagreements within art circles. Some believe that as a metropolis with a significantly larger "art-inclined" population, Kaohsiung is a more reasonable choice for constructing such cultural institutions. In fact, in order to attract audiences to attend a concert or performance in Pingtung, a new highway connecting Pingtung and other counties would be necessary, in addition to the construction of the concert hall and theater.
Undoubtedly, such "art construction" in Pingtung is more about economics than art. John Pick, a professor of the City University of London, has pointed out that a state sometimes employs art management as a way to compensate local people, or as a substitute for social welfare policies for certain communities.
Establishing Aboriginal museums in Australia is one example of such political maneuvering. The economic plight of the target community is relieved through the growth of tourism, although the different voices from within these communities are frequently muffled. Art, especially on an international, classical stage can honor the people who have been ignored or even repressed in history.
As the most remote country in Taiwan, with many Aboriginal tribes living in poverty, it is natural that Pingtung would seek a form of economic compensation instead of trying to attract polluting industries. However, if the concert hall and theater proposal is approved out of a concern to compensate the county residents, the autonomy of the state's art policy and the independence of the artist will inevitably be undermined.
Is building a national concert hall and a national theater a practical strategy to bring prosperity to Pingtung? How many people in Taiwan would bother to go to Pingtung to see a ballet or attend a symphony concert?
Sue's demand for more art is encouraging and cultivating culture is a positive step. Nonetheless, everyone with such intentions should be aware that the only way to nurture art and a vital culture is not to take advantage of it.
Wu Chieh-jabe is Webmaster of "Art Swinging" of the Yuan-Liou Publishing Company
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