展覽理念

和 諧
HARMONY

夏日時節,《粉樂町》這個在臺北東區已然為人熟悉的當代藝術展,又來了。一張遍佈粉紅落點的藝術地圖,多年來不曾停歇地在街頭巷弄沿途留跡,年復一年揚起城市在實用功能與經濟主張之外,更多關乎美學與創意思考的生活態度。

2013年《粉樂町》已經邁向第八個年頭,一路走來,除了串聯描繪出臺灣當代藝術的發展樣貌之外,更是從在地商圈與社區的興退消長中,看見世界與時代的改變:在櫥窗的流行趨勢裡,我們望見世代的心理渴望;在店舖流轉率的尋訪調查中,默默理解民生起伏的樣貌;2001年,《粉樂町》由當代藝術展之名出發,滲透生活讓藝術對話;行經多年,如今,《粉樂町》已不再僅僅只是個當代藝術展,更豐富成為一個以藝術為體更對生活有感的正向運動。這個運動,是一股循序漸進的力量,如同長程馬拉松慢跑,在呼吸調息之際,我們試圖找到與內在和諧相處的腳步節奏,讓每一步的踩踏都扎實入地,也隨著前行的步伐,緩緩跑出在路途上能默契相陪的夥伴。

在科技不斷刷新人際溝通與教育模式的現今,社會正創造出個體意識獨立而強悍的新時代,透過虛擬的網路脈絡,人們也更易於凝聚起散居各地的現實力道。這是過去未曾存在過的一呼百應現象,大眾已由被動觀者成為新聞主動的蒐集者與發佈人,即時感受世界的節奏也已成基本能力;如今,即使市井小民在品味與價值上的私房註解,也開始能鏗鏘有力的撼動大眾。於此,我們重審思考在個體當道的時代,什麼價值是人們在迎向當前所不可闕漏的態度?

那或許,就是「和諧」(HARMONY)的力量。這是2013粉樂町提出關於正向生活的關鍵詞,也是粉樂町在長年與社區互動中獲得的真實感受;世界沒有單獨存在的生命,也沒有獨立不相干的存在狀態,瞭解自己之外還得理解他人;藝術如此,生活也是。不僅止於強調主旋律的必要,還需要豐富的和弦伴奏,才能創造共鳴層次與感官的立體,讓身歷其境的觀賞者建構更全面的思考觀點。

粉樂町展中的每件作品,不論是與巷弄空間或行經路人的對話,都是近半年來,在策展團隊、藝術創作者與社區共同經歷相遇與磨合、激撞和衝突,而後才併生共鳴的「和諧」結果。這是一場兩人三腳的團體行動,八年來在社區相伴的堅持下,粉樂町理解了在眾聲喧嘩的時代,尊重多元也包容差異的意義。「和諧」不代表著沉默,而是不同聲音所創造出的合奏悠揚,那是因為擁有了相通的共感價值與信任,我們才能使得兩個截然不同的端點連結起交流溝通認識彼此的橋樑。

藝術,一直是粉樂町選擇與社區維繫對話的傳聲線,在這之中,如何取得「和諧」的巧勁,不僅止重要而是必要,它層層包裹在整個展覽架構之上:它是藝術創作者們在眾多異質材料與色彩中,透過直觀的選擇,企圖抓取視覺、聽覺、理性與感性等不同層面上的平衡與韻律;是在商業高度發展的消費機制內,拿捏經濟效益和公民教育的輕重緩急;是在並列品牌故事與藝術闡述的哲思價值之後,雙端能相容提升卻不會相互衝撞的進退節奏;更是觀眾在看展與走逛的交錯體驗中,在咀嚼日常和超越日常的經驗之後,願意接受並回應於生活的調度能力;「和諧」就是一股能在緩慢之際,創造出1+1>2的轉換能量,並且傳達出對於空間態度與美感經驗的狀態。

2013粉樂町以忠孝東路、仁愛路與復興南路作為發展腹地,並擴增展區至松山菸廠文化園區,共計三十處空間參與展出;含括潮流商店與品牌服飾、書店與咖啡館、里民活動中心、行道路樹,以及社區防火巷弄等,那些人們在街道上曾經快速經過,或曾駐足逗留的熟悉場域,在34位藝術創作者的巧思轉化下,打開了讓人們在休憩走逛的路途中,同步還能享有五感體驗的藝術饗宴。

在這炎夏的城市樂園中,藝術創作者們步調一致的燃起藝術在生活中各種可能的「FUN」點,也沿途經歷「和諧」的創造。在戶外展區我們以幽默為題,來自英國的Filthy Luker將深海章魚攀附至磚瓦房舍上、巷弄間庭院樹木突然蹦出靈活雙眼,挪移起景象互換的頑皮趣味,引領路人會心一笑;黃法誠以人們談笑常聞的替代角色「小明」做為小人物化身,為數百名圖繪散佈在仁愛里里民活動中心之外,體現無俚頭世代惡搞有理的生活哲學;而陳怡潔創作中繽紛卻扁平的卡漫樂趣,則將都市暗巷幻化為超級英雄隱身潛藏的新聚點;繁華商圈中為鐵皮廢材所圍繞的邊垂土地,也在劉國滄以建築視點虛實轉換的觀察中再現空間新意。

各室內展區,則邀請觀眾共來細細品味創作者以細膩手感操作材質的成熟功力,試圖在視覺看見之外誘發觀者的思考與討論,摘要出藝術在顛覆慣常、大搞實驗的遊戲之外,更咀嚼著人文哲思、社會意識、環境回應的提醒與心意。在堅持品味初心的C25度咖啡館內,李燕華以穿越時空的對話回應自我內在和書籍作者的靈魂。英籍藝術家Tim Budden揉合東西美學的作品,同步回望iPrefer服飾店在混搭風格中定位自己的獨特性。質料不僅是物質,還是生活方式的選擇,侯怡亭、岩崎貴宏在JAMEI CHEN空間內交織媒材實驗,以手藝啟動想像力,再現物料超越加工價值,更是品味精神的蔓延。陳佑而、蔡潔莘與伊祐.噶照以三種相異的創作媒材(生漆、紙漿、漂流木)滲透收放著人和物的距離,串聯生命價值與生態返歸的重要性。董明晋以身體行動雕磨實木將或裡或外、既虛且實的曖昧界限橫跨於簡樸自然的Roots空間之內。楊馥菁與斐瑟髮廊的對話連結起潮流絢爛的快速輪替與宇宙次序的生漲消弭。何采柔、賴威宇的作品在複合時裝店內,平衡著現實與超現實、也搓揉著自我和外在的存在認知。陳長志以攝影之眼凝結了周先生與舞者們動態的身體美學,在舒活心靈的AVEDA空間中躍動對談著。3位插畫家跨界聯展的「LOVE」系列,以輕食小品的放鬆姿態,呈現在Tartine Bakery悠閒的咖啡時光中。郭奕臣扭轉鐘表店聚焦時間的特性,企圖破格日常時間予人僵硬制式的壓迫制約。在資訊繁複交錯的誠品書店內,王艾莉在閱讀之際創造了可攜擁有的藝術思維,將不滅永恆的字句轉為行動索引。

此外,本年度還邀請了多位國際藝術家以大物件的裝置形式進行創作,像是金昌煥、金明範、盧東湜、崔正化、尹秀珍等,他們以金屬架構、鬆軟織品、複合塑料、充氣物件等各種媒材,發表尺幅巨大的雕塑作品,巧妙地在視覺觀感上以輕量不著痕跡的軟性轉換,順勢隱隱指出在表象與機制之後深思熟慮的重量。

除了由創作者自身出發的作品展現外,以靈活形式解放創作的獨向主導性,轉而透過群眾參與而完成的集體創作,也在今年的展出中略可窺見:在剪紙與剪髮(斐瑟旗艦),油彩與糖果(papa bubble)的堆疊塑形中,邱雨玟、謝怡如與空間實際的經營者和生活家共同完成創作,落實社區藝術的互動意義;而蕭有志創造建築移動的空間平台,交鋒著王榆鈞的聲音創作,靈活地賦予空間靈魂與想像力,更沉澱出人和空間的多層次互動。

從初始的質疑保留,到社區願意主動參與,更甚者能在近年自發性的在非展覽期間,店家開始嘗試策劃、邀請藝術與創意工作者將作品進駐於社區商店之中,也是粉樂町八年持續累積發酵出的後勁,像是犁鬆土壤後,種籽自會延展生命的循環,我們相信粉樂町落下的種籽,也正在自由發芽。除了臺北東區的自主力量之外,自北至南亦有諸多文化工作者與團體紛紛而起,延燒著藝術與社區交織共構的創意浪潮,如同這粉色的巷弄運動般,大夥捲起袖口、揚起旗幟,秉持著藝術可以改造城市的相信,嘗試能讓生活有所不同。

在不斷變動的環境中,粉樂町計畫以十個年頭,十檔展覽做為階段性任務。粉樂町的十年,是以有限期的長程做為約定時間表,這是一段讓參與者(社區/商店/經營者/居民/觀眾)瞭解、培養認同並鼓勵在地啟動創意思考的路程,透過粉樂町載述著策展團隊感動於藝術讓生活更美好的相信,一年年套疊出藝術與日常呼應的城市地圖,為的便是實踐一份給予臺北的承諾,也是樂於分享這份藝術信仰的美意。

這是粉樂町的相信,也是一個美學教育的實驗。我們揣想在十年之後,當《粉樂町》計畫劃下終止線,臺北東區或許已能在這根基之上,開啟自行運作藝術進駐的合作,而藝術與經濟的社區對話,也可以在數字效益之外,持續譜出豐碩人心的文化價值。

期待在第十一個年頭,粉樂町這粒深埋在臺北城東的藝術種籽,發展出強健的芽,撐持出成見的夾殼,欣然的在每個角落伸展,讓藝術的花朵接迎人文的微風吹彿,東區的息氣,每每讓人憶想起千禧年後,民間的企業在種種觀望之中,勇敢持續的承諾與實踐,我們對這座城市所建構的想像力樂園「粉樂町」在你我美好的東區印象之中。

策展團隊 富邦藝術基金會

HARMONY

Summer is here! And along with summer, the Very Fun Park is back again! Now in its eighth edition, the Very Fun Park has transcended beyond being just a contemporary art exhibition in the heart of Taipei’s East District. The exhibition has earned a reputation for bringing art to the masses, and this is nowhere more evident than the stylish trace left among the streets and lanes of Taipei’s urban jungle. As with previous editions, the Very Fun Park invites the general public to marvel at the combination of aestheticism and practicality. All these within the boundaries of economy, yet while creativity brims unboundedly.

In its past editions, the Very Fun Park has boldly outlined the contours of Taipei’s fascinating contemporary art. With the same stroke of the brush, the exhibition has ingeniously brought art out for display through the partnership with local businesses and communities. By leveraging on the local surroundings, buildings and stores, it has created an expansive art museum by breaking down both the literal and metaphorical walls. This has opened up avenues for contemporary art to influence people, while at the same time drawing inspiration from the people.

The Very Fun Park has grown rapidly since its first edition in 2001. It has developed into an art movement that promotes the embracement of art in our daily lives. The Very Fun Park is a movement that has taken small steps, and it will continue to be a movement that seeks to gradually bring art and people closer.

In developing the theme for the 2013 edition of the Very Fun Park, we were struck by the harmonious relationship between seemingly distinct and unrelated matter. Take innovation and lifestyles for example. Innovation has brought people closer through the advent of social networks. People have transformed from being passive news receivers to being active broadcasters with the world at their fingertips.

Harmonious relationships can also be observed between food and art. Culinary appreciation has now been taken to higher levels, and the look of food is as important as its taste. Scores are given to the visual appeal of food, and artistry cannot be overlooked. Inescapably, harmony is an attribute that has grown in significance and meaning.

It is for this reason that “Harmony” is our defining theme for Very Fun Park 2013. Harmony is increasingly seen in our daily lives, even though we may not notice it at first glance. Harmony highlights that there is neither independent existence nor isolated relationships. In one way or another, all things animated or inanimate, exist in harmony together.

In Very Fun Park 2013, we underline the “harmony” in our daily lives through the contemporary art displays. While art comes about through collaboration and interaction, some may point out that art is can sometimes be a confluence of conflicts and collisions. Indeed, the latter is an unavoidable aspect, and is often labeled as disharmony. We beg to differ however, in our viewpoint. That a piece of art is ultimately produced is a testimony to harmony being at work.

Harmony in the Very Fun Park 2013 is observable through the final finished product. Harmony between the community, local businesses and the artists, result in venues made available for art display. Harmony between the curators, artists and the general public, results in a selection of fascinating artworks. Harmony does not come easily, but is an amalgamation of common values and mutual trust. That in itself, is a noteworthy quality to exhibit.

Along with the displays at Zhongxiao East Road, Renai Road, and Fuxing South Road, the Very Fun Park 2013 also has displays at Taipei New Horizon and the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. There are in total 30 exhibition sites, and these sites include fashion boutiques, bookstores and cafes. Trees, lanes and alleys have also been marked out as exhibition sites, and they take displays to exciting new levels. People who may ordinarily pass by these exhibition sites without a second look, are likely to stop in their tracks when they notice the new additions to the surroundings.

All in, the Very Fun Park 2013 brings together 34 artists of varying perspectives and artistic flairs. Their combination, viewed in totality, is a harmonious mix of stimulating art. Evocative and decidedly fun, the artists have all incorporated and brought out the full flavor of the theme.

In the outdoor display areas, Filthy Luker - a British street artist, has installed an octopus art piece that climbs on the walls and roofs of buildings. Combined with trees with eyes attached to them, the whimsical creations are bound to draw a chuckle or two. Fa-Cheng Huang, a Taiwanese street artist, has scattered hundreds of drawings outside the Renai Borough Community Center. Cutely referenced to as “Xiao-Ming”, which is a common Taiwanese name equivalent to the western use of a John or Bob, the cartoon illustrations showcase a penchant for photography. Meanwhile, and also in the outdoor display areas, construction hoarding is manifested by Kuo-Chang Liu into a piece of architectural work. Agi Chen is also astute in her manifestation, utilizing concentric circles to transform an alleyway into a refuge for a comic superhero.

In the indoor display areas, visitors are invited to appreciate the artists’ skillful manipulations of materials. As with the outdoor displays, the artists seek to encourage the viewing public to think and to discuss. Nothing is too obscure or difficult to represent within their artwork. Be it philosophy, social consciousness or responses to environmental issues, these are opinions and questions that are reflected in the art installations. In C25 Café, Yen-Hua Lee doodles on pages of books to create a dialogue that spans through time and space with the authors of the books. Tim Budden, a British artist, blends Eastern and Western influences into his cut paper installation at “i prefer”. Takashi Iwasaki harnesses designer Jamei Chen’s clothes to highlight that the output have more to offer than for wear alone. I-Ting Hou’s installation, also at Jamei Chen’s store, employs both embroidery and photography to create prints of a unique kind.

Yu-Erh Chen, Chieh-Hsin Tsai, and Iyo Kacaw rely on three different kinds of materials – lacquer, paper pulp and driftwood respectively, to showcase the distinction between humans and objects. By articulating the values of life through their art installations, the artists emphasize the importance of preserving nature and admiring life.

At the same time and also within the indoor display areas, Ming-Chin Tung in his installation at Roots, utilizes wood to explore the harmony between physical and psychological space. Over at VISAVIS Salon, Yang Fu-Jing combines the concepts of hairstyle trends and volcanic lava into an array of spellbinding hairstyles. Joyce Tsai-You Ho magically manipulates fiberglass to mimic the appearance of candy, while Wei-Yu Lai uses paintings to depict the contradictory outcomes from different interpretations. These art pieces, on display at “miho” and “Katy Has a Loft’, explore the dichotomy between reality and surrealism.

Chang-Chih Chen captures Shu-Yi & Dancers through his camera lens, and displays the photographs in the soothing confines of AVEDA. Tartine Bakery is the showcase for three young illustration artists - Inca Pan, Whooli Chen and Liang Gen. Consumers are invited to appreciate the illustrations, with love as the defining theme, over coffee and snacks. Over in a watch shop - “twelve”, I-Chen Kuo stretches the properties of time through his art installation. He seeks to downplay the notion that time oppresses and stresses people. Alice Wang transforms sentences and phrases into the actionable words, and this is nowhere more relevant than in an, you guessed it – Eslite bookstore.

In addition to the artists aforementioned, we have invited many other international artists to grace Very Fun Park 2013. From Jeong-Hwa Choi, Chang-Hwan Kim, MyeongBeom Kim, Dong-Shik Roe, to Xiu-Zhen Yin, these artists have created large installations of art. They have used diverse materials such as metal, wood, cotton and plastic to construct their huge sculptures. Interestingly, the artists have concocted the heavy materials into installations that present a lightweight appearance, encouraging viewers to ponder over the variance of appearance and function.

To accentuate the Harmony theme, several artists have collaborated with respective businesses to create installations rich in association with the businesses. Yu-Wen Chiu through communication with VISAVIS Salon, has harnessed paper cutting to idealize the dedication and aesthetics of hairstyling. Yi-Ju Hsieh has linked up with “papabubble” - a Spanish handmade candy brand, to create a vibrant installation complete with blossoming sugar flowers. Yu-Chih Hsiao on the other hand, has designed a portable pigeon house replete with music composed by Yu-Jun Wang. As a single unit, it is almost as if the structure has come alive.

With each Very Fun Park edition, the communities and local businesses are ever more willing to participate in the exhibition. The benefits are tangible, and businesses have on their own after the exhibition, invited artists to display their works in the stores and shops. This is a momentum that the Very Fun Park has generated, and we believe that this is still only the start. The seeds have been sowed, and the harvest will be plentiful.

The Very Fun Park is more than just a stage for artists. It is a stage to embed art into the city’s way of life, culture and history. We believe that the open dialogue between art, economy and the communities, is in every way a relevant display of harmony in action. The harmonious interaction will enable Taipei to grow as a city, while at the same time inspiring Taiwan to embrace art all-around.

So join us in exploring the art installations in the Very Fun Park 2013. Take a map to locate the art works, and in the process, you may find within yourselves, a passion for the arts!

Fubon Art Foundation