Public art projects dreamed up by Taiwanese artists Wang Wen-chih (王文志), Jimmy Liao (幾米), and Lin Shuen-long (林舜龍) will make their debut at two triennial art festivals in Japan this summer.
Wang's installation at the 2015 Water & Land Niigata Art Festival (新潟水與土藝術祭), titled "Dream of Niigata (新潟織夢),” was made with locally procured materials, including recycled oyster shells and bamboo. Measuring 10 meters in height and 40 meters wide, the oval-shaped venue represents good tidings and hope for post-earthquake Japan.
As an experienced installation artist who often works with organic materials such as rattan, Wang explained that the inspiration for using oyster shells drew on traditional Taiwanese belief in the rejuvenation properties of the bivalve.
The other two Taiwanese artists, Liao and Lin, will be featured in the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (大地藝術祭). Liao's stylistic illustrations will adorn the façade of several old warehouses while the Taipei-based Assignment Theatre (差事劇團) will hold performances inside of installations that Lin crafted with recycled household supplies.
Both festivals are based in Niigata Prefecture, a seasonal agrarian landscape that is about two hours by train from Tokyo. The first festival will take place from July 18 through Oct. 12, while the latter will run from July 26 to Sept. 23.
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