Contemporary Taiwanese multi-media artist Mei Dean-E (梅丁衍) continues his examination of the country’s identity in Taiwan Cola (台灣可樂). For this exhibition, Mei, who is interested in the material symbols within the context of Taiwan’s past, seeks to re-interpret the genre of still-life realism anew as a means of examining Taiwan’s collective memory, starting with the Japanese colonial period and moving up to the end of Martial Law. Through deft manipulation of digital images, he creates a visual language of disparate objects — samurai swords, metal buckets emblazoned with the Pepsi symbol, a group of skeletons riding an antique bicycle — that manages to poke fun at the country’s history, while invoking a sense of nostalgia.
■ Star Crystal (藝星藝術中心), 16, Alley 52, Ln 12, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段12巷52弄16號). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 7:30pm.
Tel: (02) 2577-0636
■ Until Dec. 27
Mayuka Yamamoto’s series of oil paintings Blue Flower employs a simple visual style to depict the innocence of youth. Her works feature young children dressed in a variety of animal costumes that give them a cute, fairy-tale appearance.
■ Soka Art Center (索卡藝術中心), 2F, 57, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段57號2樓). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 9pm. Tel: (02) 2570-0390
■ Until Dec. 6
Young Realistic Artists in Taiwan — Exhibition of Rising Power (台灣寫實新銳 — 新興力量油畫展) brings together four young Taiwanese artists born after 1970 who studied representational painting. Although trained in realist techniques, the four artists — Chou Cheng-wei’s (周政緯), Hu Yu-lun (吳育綸), Yen Ching-chieh (嚴靖傑) and Li Han-ching (李瀚卿) — have each developed their own signature styles, which range from surrealism to photo realism.
■ Imavision Gallery (晴山藝術中心), 13F, 224, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段224號13樓). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 6:30pm.
Tel: (02) 2773-5155
■ Until Nov. 30
The Mysterious Universe (太龢之藏) is a solo exhibit by ink painter Bu Zi (卜茲), who applies expressionist brush stroke techniques to traditional calligraphic styles.
■ Butchart Contemporary Art Space, 155, Linong St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市立農街二段155號).
Open daily from 11am to 9pm.
Tel: (02) 2820-9920
■ Until Dec. 13
Desire to See (我想看) is a group exhibit of works by four of Taiwan’s hottest emerging painters, Lin Ru-dao (林儒鐸), Chen Min-tse (陳敏澤), Ming Tung-feng (馮彤) and Lin Wei-hsiang (林煒翔). The subject matter includes Western and Asian landscape painting, portraiture and cityscapes.
■ Cathay United Art Center (國泰世華藝術中心), 7F, 236 Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路236號7樓). Open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.
Tel: (02) 2717-0988
■ Until Dec. 12
Chen Chien-jung (陳建榮) seeks to create an ideal architectural space in his latest solo exhibition of multi-media paintings. Continuing with themes and styles he’s developed over the past decade, Chen invites viewers into an imaginary visual realm that is grounded in the real.
■ Tosee Art Agency (土思藝術), 41, Ln 100, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段100巷41號). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11:30am to 8pm.
Tel: (02) 2731-1411
■ Until Nov. 29
Following the shock complete failure of all the recall votes against Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers on July 26, pan-blue supporters and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) were giddy with victory. A notable exception was KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), who knew better. At a press conference on July 29, he bowed deeply in gratitude to the voters and said the recalls were “not about which party won or lost, but were a great victory for the Taiwanese voters.” The entire recall process was a disaster for both the KMT and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The only bright spot for
Aug. 11 to Aug. 17 Those who never heard of architect Hsiu Tse-lan (修澤蘭) must have seen her work — on the reverse of the NT$100 bill is the Yangmingshan Zhongshan Hall (陽明山中山樓). Then-president Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) reportedly hand-picked her for the job and gave her just 13 months to complete it in time for the centennial of Republic of China founder Sun Yat-sen’s birth on Nov. 12, 1966. Another landmark project is Garden City (花園新城) in New Taipei City’s Sindian District (新店) — Taiwan’s first mountainside planned community, which Hsiu initiated in 1968. She was involved in every stage, from selecting
As last month dawned, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was in a good position. The recall campaigns had strong momentum, polling showed many Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers at risk of recall and even the KMT was bracing for losing seats while facing a tsunami of voter fraud investigations. Polling pointed to some of the recalls being a lock for victory. Though in most districts the majority was against recalling their lawmaker, among voters “definitely” planning to vote, there were double-digit margins in favor of recall in at least five districts, with three districts near or above 20 percent in
The great number of islands that make up the Penghu archipelago make it a fascinating place to come back and explore again and again. On your next trip to Penghu, why not get off the beaten path and explore a lesser-traveled outlying island? Jibei Island (吉貝嶼) in Baisha Township (白沙鄉) is a popular destination for its long white sand beach and water activities. However, three other permanently inhabited islands in the township put a unique spin on the traditional Penghu charm, making them great destinations for the curious tourist: Yuanbeiyu (員貝嶼), Niaoyu (鳥嶼) and Dacangyu (大倉嶼). YUANBEIYU Citou Wharf (岐頭碼頭) connects the mainland
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