The Craft SHOP

Weave Our Ideal Life

Recently, how will you look at your life again in an environment with limited mobility? Do you miss the time of free action as much as we do in the daily lock-down at home? "What is the ideal life?" In different times and spaces, there are thousands of possibilities.

The Craft SHOP, a concept shop based on the perspective of craftsmanship, puts forward the image of an ideal life in response to the changes brought about by the epidemic era, which is concerned about the relationship between people and things and the interaction between people and the environment. For craftsmanship, life is like soil, enriching creation. Draw materials from nature, learn to turn fragility into tenacity, put up bamboo baskets, weave mat rush, wrap Alpinia speciosa, and turn natural materials into life helpers through handwork and dedication.

The characters of people in different regions have been shaped day by day. After people's migration and communication, craftsmanship is granted more freedom.

｜Curator｜

 

Jer-Yu Sheu

The art director of Plain Design, devotes himself to design curation from the field of artistic creation and is good at deducing unique design thinking from a visual perspective through design integration.

 

Chung-Yuan Kuo

The chief designer of the MidRoom. From the perspective of graphic design and editing, combined with cross-domain energy, that created visual surprises in planning exhibitions in recent years.

A Modern City with Illumination

Start from the hilltop park and proceed along the “Toathong,” the main axis of the city, and look out onto Chiayi, this small town under the Japanese Reign. As you look closely under the beaming sun, you find this city of forestry, dubbed “the first in Toyo,” is home to shimmering modern buildings and a city with a rich culture filled with literati who are enthusiastic about cultural events. 
 
This beam of light that shines towards the Tropic of Cancer still shines down on Chiayi, a small city with only 60 square kilometers. This is a city that is perfect for strolling, life drawing, and a variety of other creative endeavors, a city that harbors its own freedom. In an age when islands are vibrating with excitement, Chiayi exists at its own steady pace, its charm and history radiating softly.

This exhibition attempts to guide visitors on a stroll across Chiayi, from Chiayi Botanical Garden, Central Fountain roundabout, to the Chiayi train station, connecting to the linear and spatial developmental trajectory of Chiayi. The “Toathong” from the Japanese era, now known as Zhongshan, remains the city's main road. The roundabout is enlarged at the center of the exhibition space as a symbol of the citizens' assembly, inviting viewers to immerse in the display with the spirit of self-learning about Chiayi. The documents, images, and objects on view illustrate several iconic design projects that have been implemented over the years, while events such as talks and workshops provide cultural nourishment, encouraging modern discussions and contemplations of the following question:  

What will the town of Chiayi be like in the future? What are its styles and characteristics?

｜Curator｜

The project manager of Dong Hai Hospital Design Studio

Gina Hsu

As the project manager of Dong Hai Hospital Design Studio, Gina continually reflects on her relationship with the environment and life. Gina believes that “local materials are the best for reflecting local characteristic” and that “the hand is more intelligent than the brain.” 

Creative director of Studio Ordinary.

Brian Ming-Chang Huang

Creative director of Studio Ordinary. Born in Chiayi City, graduated from the Department of Law at National Taiwan University, he was once the managing editor of magazine "VERSE" and  "The Big Issue Taiwan", and has been involved in many editorial and curatorial projects.

BREWING ISLANDS WITH FOG

Landing and Drinking

“BREWING ISLANDS WITH FOG"" weight anchor. Lead audiences wandering around islands and tracing back to the past of Matsu, unfolding the coverage boundary by dense fog which constantly changed the landscape. Disclose the macro and micro world in Matsu via islanders’ memories, which had passed through the past and faded into bright light.

During late Qin's and early republic years, fishers arrived on the islands of Matsu and brewed amber wine for warming the body while fishing. In 1949, the fisher islands turned into military islands, people made kaoliang liquor for soldiers and created ""double brew"" which conclude two different cultural alcohol. After the 70's, people tended to immigrate to mainland Taiwan to earn a living, so they brewed the wine in foriegn land when homesick. Nowadays, there is an increasing population of youth returning Matsu, creating new lifestyles in islands, which symbolizes ""New wine"" of the era.

Matsu in the past was like a boat sailing under wars and pushed by ocean currents leading islanders’ self-identity change with time. While shifting into the past of the fishery industry, wars and immigration, audiences are able to experience diverse roles in Matsu in different time and space.

Follow the steps into the darkness, wandering in the dense fog and encounter the miracle of twilight. Sail in the bays of Matsu, unfold the color of sparkling ocean and get drunk with the island.

｜Curator｜

Curator

Tsai Pei-Yuan

Tsai has a background in landscape design. She returned to hometown Dongyin, and executed " Island Colors at 26 ° North Latitude ". She won the Golden pin design award, iF, SDA and other awards with "The doorplates design for Dongyin Township". She established " Xianwei Island Cooperative ". Then she join Matsu International Art Island in 2022. 

Curator

Chiu Yun

From Matsu Beigan, worked in Matsu Biennial Project, Matsu Cultural Work and
Reporter. Returning hometown collect and promote Matsu stories.