To create an artistic vibe in rural Taiwan, an artists’ village has been founded in Taitung County’s Chihshang Township (池上) and is to have painter and author Chiang Hsun (蔣勳) as its chief adviser and first artist in residence.
The Lovely Taiwan Foundation — the sponsor of the artists’ residency program, as well as the maintenance of many old houses in Chihshang — aims to create a “town culture” characteristic of the local communities, foundation chairman Ko Wen-chang (柯文昌) said.
Artists are not simply invited to live in the town, but to absorb the rural way of life and establish a connection with the land, he said.
“[Artists] may turn their engagement with the town’s culture into creative inspiration and take their works of art to other places around the world,” he said.
Chiang said that he was curious to know what makes Chihshang’s rice superior to others, until he set foot on the town and saw it for himself.
“The townspeople’s connection with the land is profoundly motivating and persistent,” he said.
Chiang holds high hopes for the program, saying: “The famous village of Barbizon in France attracted many artists, including Jean-Francois Millet and Theodore Rousseau, and the village transformed their [urban] intellectualism into great works of art.”
Artists might find in rural life a renewed relationship with nature, he said.
“The rustic sincerity that Chihshang Artists’ Village houses guarantees artists will experience a beauty and tranquility exclusive to the countryside,” said Chiang, who moved to Chihshang late last year.
“Taking up residence in an artists’ village is itself an artistic pleasure,” he said.
A common anxiety felt among Taiwanese derives from a desperation to obtain international recognition, Chiang said, adding that to extract the uniqueness of every locality is more worthwhile than reproducing the success of other places.
“Local talent can be seen in every village and town, but what’s important is to find them out,” he said.
The residency program will be officially launched next month, after the renovation of the old houses is completed this month, the foundation said, adding that it encourages artists to participate in the creation of Taiwanese town culture.
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