Upon arriving at ISCP, I participated in its annual open studios event, presenting a micro-project as a curator. Leveraging past exhibition catalogues, analogue documents, and visual media, I attempted to reconstruct the core of the Cold War narrative in the absence of the original artworks. I was honored to receive feedback from ISCP’s executive director, Susan Hapgood, as well as fellow artists from around the world, which helped me to clarify research blind spots. In particular, a cross-cultural dialogue with visual artist Kokou Ferdinand Makouvia offered new insights into the role of the Non-Aligned Movement in the global art system. This experience has not only sparked fresh ideas but has also provided crucial nourishment for future exchange.

The curatorial visits, artistic reviews, and artist exchanges organized by ISCP were instrumental in establishing professional connections in the New York art scene and clarifying my collaborative directions. Of particular note was the Summer Overnight program, which included visits to arts institutions outside of New York. The focus this year was museums adapted from historic architecture. It was immensely inspiring to curate exhibitions based on the spatial scale and artworks.

During the residency, I had deep conversations with the Asian American art community in New York and explored how immigration and diasporic experiences shape an artist’s self-identity. This challenged my previous assumptions regarding Taiwan-US artistic exchange. I discovered that Post-war Asian American artists here came together for their shared experience of diaspora, whereas artists in Taiwan under martial law rarely engaged with this theme. By stepping outside the box and delving into the local community, I realized the vital role of art in sparking reflection, generating resonance, and facilitating social dialogue. The residency significantly expanded my curatorial perspective, offering a new lens for future cross-cultural research and exhibition projects centered on Taiwan.

Author: Hung-Yen Chang
Edited: Brix