Clouds and rainbows: Popular public art installations great for photos

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Public art installations are increasingly becoming popular photo spots. Two trending photo locations have emerged on the streets of Taipei, both located near Zhongshan Station. One is the French cloud-shaped installation artwork displayed at the Line Park of Zhongshan Metro Station during the “2016 Taipei Public Art in Landscape Festival”; the other is the outdoor piece “Rainbow Connection” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei. The former gained attention after being damaged by children tearing at the clouds, but has since been repaired to make the clouds more sturdy and now encourages visitors to get close and take photos. The latter attracted discussions about public decency after visitors accidentally stepped on the artwork while taking photos. The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei issued a notice urging visitors to respect the integrity of the artwork while enjoying and photographing it.

The cloud installation artwork is titled “Daydream” and was created by the French art duo Mickaël Martins Afonso and Caroline Escaffre-Faur. The installation, shaped like universally loved clouds, invites the public to bury their heads in them and drift off into light-hearted daydreams with the fluffy forms.

Since 2009, the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei has organized a series of exhibitions bringing art into communities. The “2016 Street Fun Vibrant Community Art Festival” wove together the beauty of alleyways in the crisp autumn air through three interconnected sub-programs within community spaces: “Art Sprouting,” “Art Strolling,” and “Art Roaming the Alleys.” The museum has long promoted the concept of an art gallery without walls. For this exhibition, 10 groups of artists were invited to participate, including the outdoor piece “Rainbow Connection (Rainbow Bridges)” installed outside the museum, which captured the attention of locals and tourists alike and became a popular photo spot.

Due to the popularity of the “Rainbow Connection” piece, as well as instances of visitors accidentally stepping on it—whether unintentionally or for the sake of photo composition—the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei issued a notice prohibiting actions such as “stepping on,” “climbing,” “leaning on,” or “lying down” on the artwork. It also advised visitors to be mindful of designated viewing routes and prohibited live video recording and Facebook Live broadcasts. In today’s social media-driven culture where photo-sharing is ubiquitous, the notice also included a warning against live streaming. This highlights the importance of balancing the appeal of public art for photo opportunities with the proper attitude and rules for appreciating art—a crucial aspect of sustainable tourism development. Photography and art enthusiasts are encouraged to visit during the exhibition period.

【Info】
2016 Taipei Public Art in Landscape Festival
Venue: Line Park behind Zhongshan Metro Station, Taipei

2016 Street Fun Vibrant Community Art Festival
Dates: October 1, 2016 – November 13, 2016
Venue: Surrounding neighborhoods of the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei in Datong District, Taipei, and the Underground Experimental Creative Showroom