Recreating Takeshi Kaneshiro’s Iconic Ad Scene: EVA Air Unveils Taitung’s Tea-Offering Art Installation

▲ (Front row, from left) Taitung Deputy Magistrate Chen Jinhhu, artist Yang Maolin, and EVA Air General Manager Chen Xianhong jointly unveil the “Thoughts in Repose” art installation. (Photo / Provided by EVA Air)

By Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive Report

EVA Air and Taitung County Government today (June 21) held the unveiling ceremony for the “Thoughts in Repose” tea tree art installation in Taitung. In the 2013 EVA Air commercial “I See You,” Takeshi Kaneshiro is seen under a tree, experiencing the tradition of being offered tea. Now, through the skillful hands of an artist, that moment has been transformed into a set of bronze teapots and a Ming-style high table, accompanied by Peter Pan.

“Thoughts in Repose” is a bronze sculpture created by artist Yang Maolin specifically for EVA Air and Chishang, Taitung. Yang Maolin is the first Taiwanese artist to be invited twice to hold solo exhibitions at the Venice Biennale. His works are collected by renowned institutions such as the Denver Art Museum in the United States and the Long Museum in Shanghai. This piece conveys abstract meaning through concrete forms. The Peter Pan figure in the artwork is a classic character from his series. Sitting beside the Ming-style high table and teapots, Peter Pan uses the table as a seat, lost in thought. A Ming-style bench nearby offers travelers a place to rest briefly, symbolizing the offering of a cup of tea and conveying rich human warmth. It invites travelers to take a break here, quenching both physical and spiritual thirst, and to embark on the next wonderful journey.

Chen Xianhong, General Manager of EVA Air, said that in the “I SEE YOU” ad, Takeshi Kaneshiro sitting under a tree and experiencing the traditional virtue of tea-offering in Taiwan left a deep impression on travelers in Chishang. This artwork recreates the timeless scene from the advertisement and also brings a new tourism opportunity to Chishang.