An Public Art Project For Everyone to Create

"Public Art" is a paradoxical idea.

Every now and then I find sculptures of so-called public art appearing somewhere in my community. I never know who the creators are or how it has been decided that they should be installed there. Although they are in my neighborhood, I have no idea how they could be related to my life. I have also witnessed my neighbors frowning on these sculptures. I suppose they feel as confused as I do.

When I was given an opportunity to create a project for the Subway Station of Nankang Exhibition Center, an idea occurred to me: Isn't it fitting that the definition of "Public Art" would be more accurate if everyone is able to participate? So I installed a large TV wall in the Station as a platform for public participation. I interviewed sixteen people who are known in the fields of their professions about the inspiration of their creation. Then I transformed their ideas into colorful virtual building blocks (I named them Muse Elements).  These were the materials made available for people to produce virtual sculptures.

A Project You Can Click "Like"

All the virtual sculptures will be displayed on the TV wall in turns, reflecting the famous quote of Andy Warhol: "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." When seeing virtual sculptures they like, any passerby can press the touch panel beside the large frame, similar to clicking "like" on Facebook. People far away from the project can also participate online, not unlike the goodwill of French people delivering American people the Statue of Liberty as a present. Thus art becomes a medium of connecting people.

My intention is to break the gap between the creators and the audience through the borderless Internet. It also breaks the physical limitations of public artwork. The audience used to appreciate art and bring art into their lives through the aesthetics they learned from art. This project provides a way for everyone to be one of its creators, to experience the passion and joy of creating art.

I am hoping that in the future when Taiwanese people greet one another, they will change their question from, "Have you eaten?" to "Have you created anything today?"

The website of Our Personal Public Art is at: http://publicart.tw/

With a handheld computer one can create anywhere.

Give a "Like" to the work that impresses you.

When a work is praised by a "Like", it sets out fireworks; meanwhile, it sends a notice to its author.

President Ma is creating the Chinese character "Hundred" for the celebration of the 100th year of the Republic of China.

Homepage of the Website

User interface of the platform for creation

Some works by the public

Sixteen creators engaged by this project, they are:
Lin Chian, Ku Ming-Shen, Akibo, Lei Kuang-Hsia, Liao Hui-Ying, Yuan Jin-Ta, Lin Jou-Min,
Huang Hsin-Chien, Lin Tai-Jou, Roan Ching-Yueh, Chao Tzu-Chiang, Yang Po-Lin,
Su Hsien-Fa, Shiu Wen-Wei, Chen Ching-Liang, Tsai Yao-Ching

Events for outreach, work of students from the Sheun Tien Elementary School, Taichung

 

E-card for the Year of the Rabbit, created with Muse Elements