Taiwan NOW, a cultural exchange event jointly created by Taiwanese and Japanese artists was officially launched in Tokyo and virtually on October 30.
Taiwan’s representative to Japan Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te offered their blessings and thanks at the two venues respectively, while Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang (唐鳳) served as the representative to the cloud event in showcasing the meta-universe concept through the integration of the physical and virtual in contemporary art.
Addressing the event, Frank Hsieh pointed out that art and culture are like a flower that bear the thoughts and feelings of artists, just as the deep friendship between Taiwan and Japan was the seed planted by our ancestors a hundred years ago. He hopes that Taiwan NOW, a precious gift jointly created by Taiwan and Japanese artists, will bring about a cycle of goodness in the post-pandemic future.
Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te expressed his gratitude to all participating artists and curatorial teams via video. "Through the long-term efforts of people from all walks of life in Japan and Taiwan, we have formed the artistic flowers of Taiwan NOW, broken through many difficulties with innovation and creativity, so that Taiwan and the world can see Taiwan's wonderful art performances through the cloud venue."
Lee said that in order to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 311 Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan has designated this year as the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Year; he hopes that through cultural and artistic exchanges, every year will be the Taiwan-Japan Friendship Year.
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s executive director Izuru Hanaki (花木出), chairman of Culture Vision Japan Tomoharu Inoue (井上智治), special adviser of the Mori Art Museum Fumio Nanjo (南條史生), and curator Mami Kataoka (片岡真實), among others, all attended KITTE’s opening in Tokyo.
Audrey Tang noted that Taiwan continues to use digital technology to promote an open government, social innovation, and youth participation in increasing the government’s transparency and social trust. Taiwan NOW, which was brought about through Taiwan-Japan art exchanges, also established the cloud-based Virtual Venue with a forward-looking spirit.