TaiWu New Village was built in 1964. The funding was raised by selling bombshells landed on Kinmen during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958. “Taiwu” referred to Mount Taiwu, a landmark at Kinmen. The village included 100 households in 25 buildings, most of which were assigned to army generals or colonels who participated in the crisis at Kinmen. These two-floored buildings were constructed with bricks, steel, and concrete. Each building was equipped with then modern facilities, including bathroom, toilet, and rooftop water tanks. Each household enjoyed great natural lighting, ventilation, and spacious yards. It imitated American townhouses in the 1950s, and few of these Type-A veteran houses were preserved in Taoyuan. In 2009, the area was registered as heritage to keep 28 households in seven buildings. The first phase repairs 10 households in three buildings for artists and creative brands. There are also 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis Story House and a visitor center.
Art and culture in this heritage veteran area overturn the strict military hierarchy. The area now has rich historical and cultural resources. The village also differs from conventional art venues on how art penetrates into life and connects with local residents. The village opens up and uses artworks as a resilient and gentle force to enter, reconfigure, and reshape the area.
The village is managed by an operation office, and accommodates five units, include two creative stores and three artist studios. The open call welcomes artists in all kinds of practices, including but not limited to music, painting, literature, performing art, craft, sculpture, performance art, installation, environmental art, mixed media, new media, and interdisciplinary art.
Creative subjects should respond to local communities, veteran village culture, daily life, war history and culture, or military space culture. Artworks should be in the context of local memories, environment, life, and culture. As artists in different practices work, converse, and exchange at the village, this place has the potential to have dialogues with the society.
The village has two advisors to offer curatorial consultation, local connections, and field research suggestions. The residency program offers spaces to promote art and cultural performances. Artists in residence are required to participate in an exhibition after 90 days. Exhibition periods and locations will be decided by the organizer, and artists are asked to prepare at least one artwork. Applicants also need to propose a giveback plan, such as participating or planning art promotion events, community activities, artist talks, or giving art lessons.
During the residency, the village will organize a meetup once a month. An art festival is held annually in August. Irregular events include artist talks, workshops, and conversations. Other events may include veteran village festivals, cultural links, and enterprise visits. Artists in residence should work with the village to implement their giveback plans.
Previous artists visited local and previous residents, collected oral history, held artist talks, explored local history and cultural characters, and revived community development. Artists and educational activities also elevated historical development in cultural venues. Coexistence and prosperity are possible when local cultural industries are connected to venues. By 2023, the village has received 9 artists, and organized 6-10 workshops, 1 solo exhibition, and 2 artist-in-residency exhibitions. It aims to become an active and diverse contemporary art village to build unique cultural agency, continue local art programs, enhance exchanges with international artists, construct interdisciplinary connection, and build a unique cultural venue.
The village is close to Qiding dusk market, Qianxiang blacksmith shop, Yuanshulin canal, Puding Park, Panlongqi heritage trail, DayDayTian workshop, Yongchang pond, Yongchang leisure farm, Wu Jung-tzu sculpture studio, Daxi woodwork museums, Daxi Tea Factory, and HoWOOD for artists to visit.
Sourced from: TaiWu New Village Cultural And Creative Park
Edited and Photographed by: Brix