Bringing Art Outdoors: New Installations at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, compiled and reported by Chen Guanxin

 

In 2012, the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts was commissioned by the Kaohsiung Public Art Foundation to plan and execute the “Public Art Installation Project for the City Gateway Art Museum Campus,” extending art from inside the museum to outdoor spaces. The participating artists include two commissioned works—Dong Yangzhi’s “Silent Symphony · Variations” and Leonid Tishkov’s “On an Autumn Night, a Moon for One.” Additionally, five works selected through an invited competition are: Hsu Tzu-kuei’s “Beauty of Mountain and Sea,” Lin Chien-jung’s “Colorful City · Tomorrow’s Highlight,” Lee Ming-che’s “Slippery Slide,” Annie Chen’s “An · Sheng · Hui,” and Mei Ting-yen’s “We Have Love.” These five pieces will be permanently installed in the KMFA campus, becoming new artistic focal points.

Mei Ting-yen’s “We Have Love” is located on the northern grass slope, a favorite spot for wedding photography. The slightly elevated, lush green hill features a three-meter-six-tall red “Love” sculpture standing tall. The concise yet deeply resonant word “Love” shines brightly, spreading its message infinitely under the name of love, becoming a dazzling new landmark.

 

Annie Chen is a female artist of the Rukai tribe who believes that creating art is a process of dialogue with materials. She possesses an innate talent for skillfully using natural materials, common among indigenous artists. Her works reflect profound reflections on the relationship between humans and the land, as well as personal life journeys. Located in the Austronesian Cultural Park, “An · Sheng · Hui” adopts a womb-like form, resembling a gentle cocoon that brings a sense of comfort and natural security to those inside. The long, arc-shaped eye-like forms are derived from the basic prototype of lilies. The six arcs can be assembled into a beautiful, sacred lily. The lily is the tribal flower of the Rukai people, symbolizing masculine bravery and feminine purity.

The two projects installed near the Children’s Art Museum primarily consider children as their audience, aiming to attract their attention to art appreciation and guide them to enjoy art while playing. Hsu Tzu-kuei’s “Beauty of Mountain and Sea” transforms several chameleons into mosaic-style outdoor sculptures, perched around the exterior and on the structure of the Children’s Art Museum, echoing common animals like lizards seen in the park. The chameleons, whether in their playful and adorable forms or vibrant colors, are full of childlike charm. One chameleon is modeled after one of the KMFA’s collection pieces, placed at the edge of a flower bed outside the building, becoming an artwork that children can touch and interact with.

 

Lee Ming-che, an artist with a penchant for nostalgic commoner aesthetics, displayed his flat paintings in an open space for public enjoyment for the first time. The concept is inspired by the traditional terrazzo floors found in old houses, with rustic colors and simple, charming forms. Lee Ming-che’s “Slippery Slide” features an arc-shaped design similar to a screen or curtain, with tilted cement and the smooth texture of terrazzo, allowing children to feel as carefree as playing on a living room floor. It provides an alternative play area infused with artistic flair.

 

Lin Chien-jung’s “Colorful City · Tomorrow’s Highlight” is located on the sidewalk of Museum Road. Based on the urban landscape and local industries of Kaohsiung, it merges silhouette imagery with the form of street benches. Whether it's landmarks like Kaohsiung Harbor, the 85 Sky Tower, the KMFA, or scenes such as ships entering the harbor and container trucks, they all symbolize the past and present of the city’s development, rekindling public emotions about the image of Kaohsiung. The cute shapes of the light bulb man and light bulb dog, with their round forms and glowing lights, bring warmth and hope to people.

 

● Extended Reading: Kaohsiung World Family Creative Market – Exotic Delicacies Fill the Sinyi Pier

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