Explore the Guandu International Nature Installation Art Festival, where natural plants transform into fantastical artworks

The annual "Guandu International Nature Installation Art Festival," which promotes environmental ecology and sustainability issues, is entering its 5th edition this year. The organizer, Guandu Nature Park, has invited six international nature artists from the United States, Italy, Lithuania, South Korea, Germany, and more to create in Taiwan. Various wild natural plants transformed into fantastical artworks will make Guandu Nature Park even more whimsical and vibrant.

The 2010 Guandu International Nature Installation Art Festival centers around the theme of "Nature, Art, and Life" throughout its activities. Artists are currently using their creativity and skillful hands within the park to turn natural materials into a forest chapel, giant driftwood chairs, migratory bird formations, floating clouds, peculiar spirals on grassy slopes, and unidentified flying objects entering the Nature Center. Through viewing and interacting with these artworks, visitors can experience the wonder of nature integrated into art and life, and further embrace the concept of green art in their daily lives.

This year’s festival breaks from the previous tradition of short-term natural installations. For the first time, artists were asked to propose works that integrate natural art into the park, leaving behind semi-permanent installations that enhance the aesthetic appeal of Guandu Nature Park. On the afternoons of April 17 and 18, consecutive “Natural Art Forums” will be held. In addition to the six artists and this year’s curator Yang Chun-sen, professors Zhang Zilong from Taipei National University of the Arts and Liu Baicun from Taipei University of the Arts have been invited as moderators and distinguished guests. Together with the artists, they will discuss environmental art, green initiatives across countries and their future potential, as well as the rich outcomes of outdoor artistic creation.

Following the opening event of the “Natural Art Carnival” on April 25, the public can freely join guided tours of the natural art festival, including DIY and interactive art activities designed by the artists, a green art market, prize draws, commemorative stamps and first-day covers at the temporary post office, performances by the Taipei Municipal Chinese Orchestra, and more. Visitors can also engage in face-to-face conversations with the six international artists. The first 2,000 visitors on that day will enjoy free admission.

In addition to introducing the creative concepts of the artists on the festival’s official website this year, visitors can also leave individual messages for them. Each message will grow as a “mood fruit” on the artist’s “Message Tree,” visible to the artist. There is also a feature called “Link Exchange” designed to allow online connections, enabling all nature art-related organizations or enthusiasts to apply for website banner swaps. More details about the series of events can be found on the official festival website or by calling (02)2858-7417 extension 210-214.

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