In These Extraordinary Times, Your Participation Keeps Art from Being Lonely

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. In these extremely severe times of the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic, I am deeply grateful for everyone’s support and encouragement. I was moved by your presence at my solo exhibition in Taipei. Art bridges distances, making society warmer and more harmonious; your participation keeps art from being lonely. Thank you.

The solo exhibition "Just Like This" opened on March 3, with an opening reception on March 7. However, in these extraordinary times, avoiding contact with crowds and public places is necessary. Consequently, the exhibition openings carried a surreal, suspenseful fear. Attendance depended on individual willingness and judgment of the situation, becoming unpredictable. One had to go with the flow or visit during less crowded hours.

I arranged my own schedule for this Taipei solo show. Art world friends visited as soon as it opened on March 3. No one rushes to be first, yet there were visitors on the first day without appointments (announced gallery hours). Two familiar friends arrived: Zhuang Pu (reportedly visiting before installation even began) and photographer/critic Zi Zi, who brought a friend. Several art lovers shared the happiness of discussing art. My cousin Chen Shu-hui brought hometown friends to view paintings and catch up. In the evening, I had dinner and coffee with close friends on Yongkang Street.

On the morning of March 4, I left early. Chairman Su had invited me a month prior to speak at the Nan Hong High-End Bathware Taipei showroom on "Awakening and Cultivating Beauty." I understood his dedication to aesthetic education for his employees. The Nan Hong showroom’s spatial layout and display felt like an art museum to me. It truly realized high-end bathroom living with excellent aesthetic expression. If we are insensitive to things around us, where is art?

After lunch with Chairman Su, friends from Kaohsiung, and company managers, we visited the gallery for "Chen Chi-Hsiang - Just Like This." I was happy to share my new works with them and provided a personal tour to help them connect deeply with the pieces. During this time, an old friend Xu Gui visited, bringing handmade German country bread and a box of over ten local eggs. This touched me greatly, revealing the friendship of artists. In the evening, friend Lianhua visited. Liu Qingtang, host of Yitong, brought his daughter to the gallery. A painter who studied in France early on, Azhong (Li Minzhong), also appeared. We chatted endlessly at the gallery, then continued dinner with these friends, moving to a café to recreate a Parisian atmosphere until closing. Returning to my sister’s home in Neihu in the drizzle, I fell asleep contentedly.

On the afternoon of March 5, I met with female artists such as Su Guoqing and Li Jufen. They took the high-speed rail from Chiayi specifically to visit "Chen Chi-Hsiang - Just Like This." They were quite curious about Chen Chi-Hsiang. Friends Su Guoqing and Zeng Yongzhao hosted them in Taipei. Unexpectedly, they waited for me at the gallery. Under Sunny’s warm welcome, I greeted them enthusiastically. Naturally, our conversation focused on my artistic creation and works. Guiding viewers through the pieces over several days led to deeper discoveries and interpretations. Doing the same thing repeatedly prevents taking it for granted.

While guiding Chiayi friends, Anderson Yu appeared, a face that seemed familiar. We liked each other on Facebook; he was both familiar and strange. After introducing ourselves, we realized art connected us. Discussing art removed distances; it was wonderful. After communicating and sharing strengths, perhaps there is room for collaboration. The Chiayi artist friends returned full of positive energy in the evening, giving me time to gather with old friends Su and Zeng. As I prepared to leave, another unfamiliar viewer entered. Greeting him warmly and discussing art, I found myself stuck again, reluctant to part. The two friends slipped away, so I devised a plan to escape, grabbing my backpack and running. I finally caught up. Haha. We went for coffee, discussing our favorite topic, "Art," which always has endless conversation. It seems the more we talk, the more delicious it becomes, doesn’t it, my dear friend?

Being with Chairman Su meant he paid. Tonight, instead of street food, we ate at "Da Chu" restaurant. Though not a Manchu Han Imperial Feast, a clay pot fish head, some Sichuan dishes, and stir-fries satisfied our appetites. Paired with art discussions, it was even more delicious. Of course, every time leaves us wanting more, looking forward to the next round. Enjoying life’s "art elixir" brings more joy than tonics. All this is a gift from art.

On Friday, March 6, I met with Teacher Chen Shih-Ming of "Exploring Contexts" and eight fan-group artist siblings. Among them was Cai Shiwei, a French philosophy doctorate from Pingtung (grandson of sculptor Cai Shuilin), and Yan Huiya from Taichung joined our fan group. We gathered at "Just Like This" to support art and view exhibitions. Then we sat around the stone round table in the gallery’s front corridor, drinking tea and eating desserts. Teacher Chen guided enthusiastic discussions on art and views of life, clearing up contemporary art’s hidden reefs and lighting the light of art, experiencing the artistic bond between teacher and students.

During this time, young curator Chen Junzhong (a friend’s son) from Tainan, his girlfriend Xin Qi, and friend Liao Runpei with her companions came to view the exhibition, making it lively. Until the gallery closed, we discussed diversely and freely, seemingly never finishing. Especially in these extraordinary times, this is precious. With you, art is not lonely. I helped clean up and was the last to leave. As I was leaving, young artist Lin Yuzheng burst into the gallery just to meet me. Since I had sent a friend out during his last visit, we missed each other. Plans never keep pace with changes, so we coincidentally met at the gallery. I had dinner plans with Runpei and asked him to drive me to Wenzhou Street.

These few days in Taipei, I have been outside meeting friends, chatting, and eating. From installation to now, this is my third visit to "Soho under the Tree" on Wenzhou Street. Tonight, I had dinner with Runpei and her friends. The restaurant’s layout is special, under a large tree, with only a few tables and no menu. The creative cuisine here is genuine. The "Wen Salad" is unique, featuring various roasted vegetables and spices with distinct flavor. There is grilled meat, risotto, pasta, cheese, and nuts. Eating while talking becomes daily routine; the table becomes a field for chat. Laughter and humorous words discuss world affairs under the guise of art. Expanding knowledge and horizons is joyful. This is my rare nightlife in Taipei.

On March 7, the opening tea party began. As soon as the gallery opened, Yan Huiya and others from the early-bird class had already waited for me from Taichung. Early birds get the worms. Because yesterday’s "Exploring Contexts" fan group was too large to care for them properly, I gave them a private tour first, carefully sharing my creative intent, from images to deep content, seeing oneself and the world in the works. Meanwhile, the gallery busily prepared for the afternoon opening tea party.

In these extraordinary times, I did my duty, inviting and contacting those I should have, fulfilling all arrangements. It had been five days of VAP. I didn’t know who would attend the opening tea party, so I left it to fate and let nature take its course. The gallery made arrangements too. At two o’clock, unexpectedly, a crowd flooded in, almost all friends I invited: photographers’ nephews from Pingtung, photographer Gao Yuan and friends from Tainan, artist Dai Mingde and the Hongmaopi Women Painters Group from Chiayi, sculptor Zhan Zhenghong, Yan Huiya and others from Taichung, Evelyn couple from Hsinchu specially bringing their baby Beibei to see the teacher (very touching), the Little Black Cat Troc family from Chiayi mobilizing northward, numerous Taipei art lovers including Li Minzhong, Wang Renjie, and Liu Yongren, especially Chairman Su’s new friends from Nan Hong Taipei supporting us, brother Pan Xiaoxia, coming to see his aunt’s niece Dai Liling, Bai Shiming, president of the Taiwan Art History Association, and gallery owner Zhang Xuekong attending, etc. Suddenly, body action artist Zheng Mei, dressed entirely in red, appeared. Everyone present was welcomed and thanked.

The opening tea party in these extraordinary times was simple yet grand. The event was hosted by gallery Sunny. Unexpectedly, Professor Bai Shiming, both a professor at National Taiwan Normal University and president of the Taiwan Art History Association, who participated in the opening, gave a speech. I thanked Teacher Bai for his encouraging address. Then, famous French Baroque cellist Franck performed a solo piece to add support. Amidst beautiful musical rhythms and dialogue with the paintings, the exhibition prelude opened. Artists personally explained creative concepts and guided works, dialoguing with the audience. Thus, art lovers and collectors came to view and appreciate. Taiwan’s art needs everyone’s support. In these extraordinary times, I thank Shang Gallery for its dedication and thank this land.