Taiwan March Notes – National Taiwan Normal University Lecture Sharing

Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. The greatest grace of existence is sharing, sharing to the fullest. In teaching and learning from each other, life grows gradually; the greatest joy of life is sharing, and gratitude for sharing.

In March, I gave several lectures at universities, exhibition venues, book clubs, and arts spaces, traveling back and forth between Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Chiayi. Lecturing has become one of my jobs in Taiwan. Starting with the "Exhibition Observation and Art Criticism Writing" session for the National Taiwan Normal University Art Department Student Association on March 4th, because I hold multiple identities and professional backgrounds—such as artist, art critic, amateur horticulturist, and contemporary art expert—I can handle many topics with ease.

Of course, how to observe involves how to write. Observation is an exploration of the (exhibition) site; the perspective and angle of observation and reading determine the direction of art criticism writing. The process from observing an exhibition to producing text involves the triangular relationship of art criticism: site works and scene – artist – critic. Art criticism moves from the background of time and space (era) → trends of thought → artistic objects → forms of expression, style, and ideas → peering into the mysteries of creation → interpreting artistic meaning and witnessing the artist's consciousness of existence.