May 29, 2018
No.047
Invited by New York City’s Garment District Alliance, Taiwan master sculptor Kang Muxiang is displaying his Rebirth series as a public art installation along Broadway at Midtown’s Garment District Plazas May 17 to Sept. 15, 2018.
This is the first time for Kang to exhibit his sculptures in the U.S. The seven large-scale eye-catching artworks in the series have attracted passers-by upon installation. They are entitled Ignore Me, Infinite Life, Regeneration, Ru-yi Life, Serenity, The Worried Whale, and Twin Life, with the latter two—The Worried Whale and Twin Life—Kang’s newest creations.
With renewable resources and environmental protection in mind, Kang has transformed recycled elevator cables from the Taipei 101 skyscraper into monumental embryonic sculptures. Through breathing new life into the discarded steel, the series demonstrates the importance of sustainability. The artist also invited 18 prisoners to clean the cables, so as to help them reflect on their own lives. Besides the rebirth of steel cables and concern for the environment, the series further symbolizes an awakening of the participating inmates.
This series is part of Taiwan’s cultural diplomacy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York have spared no effort in introducing Taiwan artists to the world. By demonstrating Taiwan’s soft power, MOFA hopes to foster further understanding of the country’s efforts in sustainable development and support for artistic creations, enhance the nation’s overall image and increase Taiwan’s international visibility. (E)
