by May Lin Lying to the south of NTU a fifteen-minute walk away, a small village sits quietly along the Xindian River. Known as both an artists’ village and an historical settlement, Treasure Hill Artist Village has long been a unique visual landmark near NTU. However, there are a lot more stories to tell about this distinctive village than merely an artistic tourist site. HistoryThe development of Treasure Hill Artist Village has been long and difficult. Originally, it was nothing but desolate land overgrown with shaggy weeds. During the occupation of the Qing Dynasty, Taiwan immigrants erected the Treasure Hill Temple. However, the Treasure Hill settlement came about later. After the government retreated from China to Taiwan, they found the location perfect for military purposes; therefore, it became an important fortress in the south of Taipei, and many soldiers were garrisoned there. Since then, soldiers gradually became residents of the district. When the government loosened military control in the 1970’s, most of the veterans decided to stay and build their own houses near the Xindian River. Furthermore, due to an economic boom, hundreds of immigrants from other cities came to Taipei for jobs, and some of them moved into the village and became residents, too.
However, the buildings in Treasure Hill Village were mostly illegal shanties. In 1980, when the government announced plans to reconstruct and modify the district, it brought about a continual argument between demolishing illegal structures and defending those who were underprivileged. After a long period offighting and debate, the government eventually promised to retain the village; in addition, it adopted an Artist-in-Residence program, making the village a community both for artists and residents. The artist-in-residence program provides a diverse and international platform, allowing artists from around the world to cooperate. The program injected energy into the community and created new possibilities, not only conserving the beauty and the unique history of the village but also building a place where nature, art, and community interactively converse. Features Just as in its name, Treasure Hill is a treasure chest, for the village always presents different surprises whenever we visit. Wandering through meandering alleys and gently rising staircases, the village becomes a maze brimming with rare jewels and wonders, and every corner can be an exciting adventure. The Treasure Hill Temple A few steps away from the entrance, the first structure that comes into sight is the Treasure Hill Temple. Established during the Qing Dynasty, the temple has been guarding the district for over four hundred years. In the temple, disciples mainly offer their sacrifices to the bodhisattva. The building was originally erected for the purpose of gathering immigrants and soothing their homesickness. Over time, it has gradually become an important cultural landmark. The Creative Living Room This space can be seen as a living room for all Treasure Hill residents. With its wide walls and bright lights, the Creative Living Room invites people to come in and take a break or shoot the breeze. On the wall, there is a huge television broadcasting the film, Invisible Village, 24 hours per day. Invisible Village is a short documentary about the stories of the village and those who have lived there for decades. Watching these old men and women talk about their stories and their affection towards the village, you might find yourself gradually becoming part of it as well. Artists and Studios Along with the progress of the Artist-in-Residence program, the village has established 14 studios for either Taiwanese or international artists to live and work. There are local artists like Hsueh-Fen Lu, who is involved in metalwork and has created a series of pieces called Silver Plants, or Tsui-shuang Lai, who is a freelance choreographer recently working on a series called Human. International artists include Tadayuki Tahara from Tokyo, whose work focuses on the infrastructure forming the basic components of society, and Sara Nuytemans from Belgium, whose work is based on the observation of how human beings interact with the world. Annually, the village sends local artists abroad while artists from other countries come and stay, creating an international platform and the opportunity to introduce the village to the world. The Residents The concept of community symbiosis is the basic foundation of Treasure Hill Artist Village. In other words, not only artists but residents are essential to the village. During your ramble, you will probably see a few red house plates written with Chinese characters such as 安 (An) or 李 (Li). They are the last names of the old veterans which reveal the history of the residents and their houses. Every year, the whole village chooses a day when the residents bring their best dishes to share with one another. The special event not only brings the neighborhood together but also deepens their bond with the village. On Site On Site is the grandest and the craziest art festival in Treasure Hill Artist Village. Every October, artists from around the world travel here and work together to show off their oddest talents, serving the people a luxuriant feast. The concept of On Site is to destroy archaic ways of performing art. During the art fest, the audience is able to experience both visual and aural stimulation and to be inspired by the collision of extremely different works of art. The whole process is usually divided into four sections: performance, film, visual art, and sound. In my opinion, the sound section is the greatest of all. Unlike others, this is held as an outdoor party. People coming around either lie randomly on the grass or sway their bodies while musicians perform disco, jazz, or any other kind of music. This year, a new form of performance was added into the sound section called “Silence Disco Party.” People were asked to put on earphones instead of sharing the music together. With earphones, the audience was expected to gain more privacy and fully enjoy the music itself. Visiting Treasure Hill Artist Village is an amazing experience. However, what I love the most about this unique village is the relationship between the artists, the residents, and the village. During my volunteer service, I felt the tender care of all residents. To them, this place is never a tourist spot or a historical site, but a home filled with precious memories. People might talk about brilliant artworks and exhibitions, but here it is the artists and the residents themselves that make the real art of Treasure Hill Artist Village. a
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
|