Article by MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
The inaugural "FORMOSA Sculpture Biennale" is being held from now until March 2 along the waterfront at Pier-2 Art Center. This exhibition features 33 mid-career to senior Taiwanese artists, with nearly 50 works simultaneously displayed both indoors and outdoors across two venues. Through diverse materials, varied perspectives, and creative contexts, it presents a new artistic landscape of contemporary sculpture shaped by continuous experimentation and expansion. The theme of this year’s exhibition is "What Lies Ahead of Us?" In addition to exploring the possibilities of diversity and progression in artistic creation, it also resonates with the current development of the Pier-2 venue, which extends along the waterfront toward True Love Pier.
The inaugural "2013 FORMOSA Sculpture Biennale" is now on display at Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Art Center. (Photo provided by Pier-2 Art Center)
Liu Chun-lan, curator of the "2013 FORMOSA Sculpture Biennale," said that the theme of the exhibition, "What Lies Ahead of Us?" originates from a work by Lin Shou-yu, revered as the master of Taiwan's minimalist art movement, which won an award at Taiwan’s first large-scale sculpture biennale in 1985. Nearly 30 years later, the first FORMOSA Sculpture Biennale adopts the title of this piece to reopen a platform for sculptural exchange, intellectual stimulation, and conceptual dialogue. It also explores the current state and trends of contemporary Taiwanese sculpture, as well as its concerns or interpretations of the real world. The exhibition is divided into three major sections: "Nature’s Interpretation – Environmental Variations," "Contemporary Imagery – Discordant Polyphony," and "Everyday Reflections – Life’s Object Narratives." These sections capture the new sensibilities and content of the era through the distinct yet related expressions and interpretations of contemporary sculpture compared to tradition, highlighting the characteristics of 21st-century Taiwanese sculpture.
Sculpture art, through the inspiration and ingenuity of artists, utilizes various materials and is perfectly presented against suitable spatial and temporal backdrops. The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that based on the characteristics and materials of the artworks, both indoor and outdoor venues were planned for this exhibition. The spacious grounds of Pier-2 Art Center and the scenic waterfront blue skies greatly enhance the artworks, which the artists also very much appreciate. In addition to the sculpture displays, an artist talk was held on January 18 in Warehouse C1 of Pier-2 Art Center. Inviting participating artists, the session shared insights on the development ecology and trends of Taiwanese sculpture art, drawing from their own creative experiences.
Colorful and adorable artworks attract many visitors to take photos. (Photo provided by Pier-2 Art Center)
Shih Che, Director of the Kaohsiung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, said that through the opening up of the waterfront harbor area, Kaohsiung has undergone urban transformation and spatial liberation. The "2013 FORMOSA Sculpture Biennale," based at Pier-2 Art Center by the harbor, takes contemporary, innovative, and pluralistic approaches, encouraging cross-disciplinary experimentation and providing contemporary sculpture art with greater vitality and imaginative space. Showcasing Taiwan’s contemporary sculpture in its full breadth within the multifaceted Pier-2 harbor setting holds even greater significance. The bureau further noted that from the development of Pier-2 to Greater Pier-2, and the operational expansion from Dayong District to Penglai District, and this year to Dayi District, visitors strolling along the waterfront in the park can sense the evolving journey of "Pier-2 Moving Forward."
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