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Taiwan to hold lacquer forum with SE Asia, Japan artists

  • Date:2019-08-26
Taiwan to hold lacquer forum with SE Asia, Japan artists

The National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute will hold an international forum to discuss the different lacquer arts of Southeast Asian countries and share Taiwan's lacquer expertise. The 2019 Asia-Pacific Lacquer x Local Creation Forum will also include art displays, a symposium with professional demonstrations, and a four-day art camp.

 

To address the issues of falling birth rates, greying populations, growing urban density, and dwindling rural development, the government is drafting countermeasures and adopting the major governance axis of "balanced Taiwan" to promote the development of local industries with regional characteristics. It is hoped that youths will return to their hometowns and help bridge the urban-rural divide as the artisanal economy begins providing dividends.

 

As lacquer arts, or urushi, have a deep foundation in Japan, the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute has invited Professor Matsusima Sakurako (松島さくら子) from Utsunomiya University to help coordinate the forum. With her invaluable help, experts and scholars from Japan and Southeast Asia will meet with artists, researchers, and community leaders from Taiwan at the 2019 Asia-Pacific Lacquer x Local Creation Forum.

 

She and Murakami Shingo (村本真吾) will lead a four-day lacquer camp, while international lacquer artists including Japan's Emi Yabuuchi (薮内江美), Thailand's Sumanatsya Voharm, Myanmar's U ZawNaing, and Vietnam's Nguyen Tuan Cuong will hold live demonstrations at the symposium. Their works will also be displayed in a special four-day exhibition that will run from Aug. 28 through 31.

 

Featuring speakers representing Tama Art University, New Hometown Culture and Education Foundation, Kyoto Institute of Industrial Technology, Chiang Mai University, Myanmar Lacquer Association, Hanoi Arts and Crafts Institute, Ningbo University, and Nanhua University, the international forum will take place in Nantou County’s Caotun Township. The opening ceremony will take place at 9am on Aug. 28.

 


‘2019 Asia-Pacific Lacquer x Local Creation Forum’

  • Date: Aug. 28 – Sept. 4, 2019
  • Venue: NTCRI
  • Address: No. 573 Zhongzheng Rd., Caotun Township, Nantou County, Taiwan (ROC)
  • Site: https://2019-x.webnode.tw/