Chinese Name: 石在工作隊
Established: 2020
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/existonegang/
Did You Know That…?
The ExiStone Workgang was formed by Lin Kui-miao (林奎妙), He Mu-yun (何睦芸), and Chen Yen-liang (陳衍良). Through cultural curation and developing a mobile app, they opened up possibilities for people to learn about Magang (馬崗), a fishing village situated at the northeastern tip of Taiwan.
The core members of the ExiStone Workgang include cultural worker Lin Kui-miao, artist He Mu-yun, and visual designer Chen Yen-liang. The team was born from their shared concern about the loss of the Magang Village, an issue which they became aware of through their involvement in various social movements.
In 2018, the residents of Magang village applied for official recognition of its stone house settlement as a cultural heritage, but faced challenges with the application process. The residents did not give up, and they formed an association to promote the settlement through guided tours. Lin, a seasoned cultural worker who has experience in the field of cultural heritage preservation, invited He and Chen to set up mini-exhibitions displaying historical records, local relics, and old photographs. These initiatives went hand in hand, as they provide practical information to the outsiders and instill a deeper appreciation for local knowledge among residents.
In 2021, the ExiStone Workgang curated the exhibition “In Waves Tourist Resort (浪來了旅遊接待會所)” at the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab, which featured cultural artifacts, archives, and videos highlighting Magang Village and its rich cultural heritage.
In 2022, the team launched “Feast of the Four Seasons in Magang (馬崗四季饗宴),” an initiative that celebrated Magang’s distinct lifestyle by designing meals around marine biology, traditional harvesting methods, and local ingredients, offering visitors a glimpse into the village’s unique way of life.
(Photo credit: ExiStone Workgang)