Ever-inhibited by earthly constraints, humanity has always pined for immortality.
From the Tuba tree in the Quran, the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, and the trees of life and knowledge in the Bible, to the peaches of immortality in Taoist lore, the concept of a tree of life has ensnared human imagination since antiquity.
The "Tree of Life" exhibition is an international exhibition touring the world to showcase how humanity perceives immortality through celebration, prayer, and submission. With the international portion curated by World Craft Council's Edric Ong Liang Bin and Manjari Nirula, the Taiwan leg of the exhibition has additional elements selected by Taiwanese curators Wanlee Chen and Min-chin Chang.
Sixty-seven pieces of traditional crafts and contemporary creations from 16 countries in Asia have been brought together to show the diversified beliefs and artistic representation of the tree of life across cultures, communities, histories, and geographies.
Harvesting materials such as fiber, lacquer, metal, wood, bamboo, and clay from the lands they are rooted in, these artists have tried to respond to the elusive call of immortality with artwork replete with cultural symbolism.
Starting in Malaysia and travelling across India, Hawaii, and Canada for the past three years, the exhibition has inspired diversified interactions upon each stop. While tree shapes or metaphoric spinning may appear as the most common motifs, Taiwan has brought to the table its own set of iconography and symbolism.
"Tree of Life Exhibition in Taiwan" is organized by the National Taiwan Crafts Research and Development Institute (NTCRI), Taiwan's agency tasked with the cultivation and promotion of handicrafts. The first leg of the exhibition will be held from May through August at the NTCRI's headquarters in Nantou, and then a Taipei showing will be held from September through January.
Tree of Life Exhibition in Taiwan | Nantou Leg
- Date: May 5 – Aug. 19, 2018
- Venue: National Taiwan Crafts Research and Development Institute
- Address: 573 Zhongzheng Rd., Caotun Township, Nantou County, Taiwan (ROC)
- Site: https://en.ntcri.gov.tw
May 4, 2018 | 9am-4pm
- Malaysian Iban Bemban Basketry Workshop
- Senia Jugi, UNESCO-World Crafts Council Award of Excellence Recipient
May 5, 2018 | 1-3pm
- Keynote Speech: Tree of Life in World Cultures
- Edric Ong, International Curator, Advisor and Past Senior Vice President of the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific
May 5, 2018 | 3.10-5.10pm
- Demonstration Talk: Beauty of Indian Miniature Painting
- Jai Prakash, UNESCO-World Crafts Council Award of Excellence Recipient
Tree of Life Exhibition in Taiwan | Taipei Leg
- Date: Sept. 7, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019
- Venue: NTCRI Taipei Branch
- Address: No.41 Nanhai Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)
- Site: https://entaipei.ntcri.gov.tw/