From March 11 through April 9, the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute's Taipei Branch will hold an exhibition featuring crafts selected from its "New Fun in Crafts” talent cultivation program.
In recent years, design has become a lifestyle and attitude. Crafting and designing have helped solve many thorny issues while imbuing more possibilities in life through better functions and aesthetics.
The importance of crafts and design have prompted the NTCRI to launch a program in 2008 to encourage young Taiwanese designers to engage in the craft sector through mentorship, selecting outstanding teams led by award-winning and professional artisans and helping them develop contemporary crafts.
The exhibition will showcase innovative crafts developed with the help of the program and the representative works by established brands that have previously participated in the program.
The displayed works include a glass tea set by Jiang Huei-ting (蔣慧霆), an eco- friendly bamboo-made lamp by Yao Kai-chi (姚愷琪), and a bamboo-woven luggage set made by a team of students from Dayeh University that show the creativity of Taiwan crafts.
The program has sponsored a total of 116 teams from 38 departments in 33 universities and colleges by 2016. Among the 515 works developed through the program, 26 pieces had captured awards at international exhibitions.
In addition, those works have received positive feedback at design fairs across the world, including Paris-based Maison & Objet, Tent London, Salone Satellite, Shenzhen Creative Week, Interior Lifestyle China, and Design Craft Exhibition in Osaka, significantly increasing the visibility of Taiwan's young designers on the world stage.
Cultural creativity has become a topic hotly being discussed in recent years. It plays an essential role in building identity and shaping Taiwan crafts. It also serves to pass down culture and history, and aids the innovative development of traditional craft arts.
'Showcase of New Fun in Crafts'
- Date: March 11 - April 9, 2017
- Venue: NTCRI, Taipei Branch
- Address: No. 41 Nanhai Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan (ROC)
- Website: http://taipei.ntcri.gov.tw/
