After four years of hard work, writer Wu Ming-yi's (吳明益) well-acclaimed short story collection "The Illusionist on the Skywalk and Other Stories (天橋上的魔術師)" has been adapted into a two-volume graphic novel by comic artists Ruan Guang-min (阮光民) and Sean Chuang (小莊).
To mark the launch of the graphic novel, "The Illusionist on the Skywalk: Interactive Art Exhibition" will be on view at the Taipei-based Taiwan Comics Base from Jan. 17 through Feb. 15. The exhibition will display the original artworks, scenes, and audiovisual materials of the three artists and five supporting designers in an interactive and immersive setting.
"The Illusionist on the Skywalk" tells the stories of nine children in the seventies at the famous Chunghwa Market Bazaar in Taipei and each tale is interconnected by an enigmatic "illusionist." The two-volume graphic novel will be showcasing two different styles of comic art and two different takes on the illusionist character through a total of eight wonderful short stories.
Altogether, the exhibition will introduce 30 original artworks. On the two ends of a "skywalk" installation designed especially for the exhibition, wall paintings of the two different illusionists depicted by Ruan and Chuang will be shown. Exhibition-goers will also be able to experience different scenes from each short story.
Ruan will be displaying his re-imagination of four short stories titled "The Illusionist on the Skywalk (天橋上的魔術師)," "Stone Lion's Memories (石獅子會記得哪些事？)," "Goldfish (金魚)," and "An Elephant on the Misty, Sunlit Street (一頭大象在日光朦朧的街道)."
Using delicate brushwork, Chuang's interpretations of Wu's "Ninety-ninth Floor (九十九樓)," "All the Johnny Rivers (強尼•河流們)," "Mr. Tang's Tailor Shop (唐先生的西裝店)," and "Flow of Time (流光似水)" are equally impressive.
As fans leave the exhibition, an excerpt from Wu's latest novel "Forest, Palace, Copper Horse, and Girl in Portrait (森林、宮殿、銅馬與畫像裡的女孩)" will bid viewers farewell.
‘The Illusionist on the Skywalk: Interactive Art Exhibition’
Date: Jan. 17 – Feb. 15, 2020
Venue: Taiwan Comic Base (3F)
Location: No. 36 and 38 Huayin Street, Datong District, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)
Hours: 10am – 8pm
* Closed on Mondays and from Jan. 24 to 27 during the Lunar New Year holidays
Site: https://tcb.culture.tw/tcb-events/2020magic/1579773600/