To further promote international exchanges of Taiwanese culture, the traveling exhibition "Homeland - Relationship of Taiwan Green Craft," organized by the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI), will be exhibited in Washington from May 15 to 31 and in New York from June 7 to 30.
With a focus on "homeland," the exhibition will showcase the practical application and relational aesthetics of green craft in Taiwan, in order to explore and reflect on the underlying connection between humans and nature, society, and personal identity.
During the traveling exhibition, craft demonstration teaching and experiential activities will be held, featuring a diverse range of Taiwanese crafts by eight Taiwanese craftsmen such as rush weaving, shell ginger weaving, bamboo weaving, natural dye, paper art, patchwork, and ocean trash art. These activities aim to introduce the spirit of the practical application of green art to local schools, communities, and festivals in the US.
NTCRI director Chang Jen-chi (張仁吉) explained that the curatorial theme of the exhibition is to highlight the philosophical principles of green crafts, including nature, circulation, balance, tolerance, and vitality. The exhibition aims to express the importance of sustainable development for the natural environment, interpersonal relationships, and personal physical and mental well-being in the post-epidemic era.
Additionally, centered on a "people-oriented" philosophy, the exhibition explores the multiple meanings of "homeland" in psychological, social, and cultural contexts. The theme "global homeland" aligns with the initiative of Earth Day, emphasizing a friendly relationship with the Earth. It expresses the conflict and coexistence between natural ecology and progress through the use of natural materials and recycled waste in contemporary craft. Moreover, the concept of "community homeland" embodies the social connection as well as interactive and supportive relationships between individuals and communities. At last, the concept of "spiritual homeland" seeks to establish faithful and reliable relationships and help individuals find a place where their hearts can be at peace through self-dialogue, mediation and faith.
At the pre-event press conference on May 2, Vice Minister of Culture Lee Lien-chuan (李連權) noted that the exhibition has three core goals: enhance Taiwan’s global visibility, demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment to recycling and sustainability, and showcase the country's multiculturalism to the world. He thanked government agencies, NTCRI, and participating craftsmen for promoting Taiwanese culture through exceptional creations and bringing its crafts to the international stage.