Taiwan Uncovered

On today's episode of Taiwan Uncovered, I bring you part two of my interview with artist Jorge González Santos. Jorge has come all the way from Borikén, also known as Puerto Rico, and was recently in Taiwan to give a two-day sol-lace workshop at Tainan National University of the Arts.  In this episode we discuss some of Jorge's past and ongoing projects, the growing inclusion of Puerto Rican artists into the discourse of American art, and the progress that has been made to preserve and recover Boricua Indigenous culture and language. 

Today’s guest has come all the way from Borikén, also known as Puerto Rico. Jorge González Santos is an artist who aims to preserve and recover Boricua material culture, in an attempt to create narratives between the Indigenous and the modern. His work has been presented in solo shows at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and at the Embassy, San Juan, and he has contributed to exhibitions at LACE, Los Angeles; the Whitney Museum of American Art; Chicago Architecture Biennial, and documenta 14. Jorge was recently in Taiwan, on an invite from Tainan National University of the Arts, to give a two-day sol-lace workshop. In this episode, we learn more about Borikén and Jorge's practice. Hit play to discover the diversity of Boricua material culture, how Puerto Rico's dark history informs Jorge's practice, and what narratives between the Indigenous and the modern look like for him.

This week on Taiwan Uncovered, I'm back with filmmaker Rex (Hsia Jui-chien). In this episode we discuss how Rex found his passion for filmmaking, the importance of a good script, how filmmaker Edgar Wright has influenced his work, and insights into his other past-and-upcoming projects.  You can stay up to date with Rex on Facebook here. Watch Rex's short film, Unexpected Passenger, that screened at 2023 Sundance Film Festival Asia on Youtube here.

Unexpected Passenger was shortlisted for Best Short Film at this year's Sundance Film Festival Asia. In this episode of Uncovered, I am joined by the filmmaker Rex (Hsia Jui-chien) to discuss the making of his short film. Hit play to hear how Rex managed to secured big-name actors in his film on a tight budget, what draws him to the horror-comedy genre, and some of the references to Taiwan's belief system that you may have missed.  You can watch Unexpected Passenger on Youtube here.

On this episode of Uncovered, I made it to Art Taipei to speak with Taiwanese American abstract artist, Gabrielle Mar. Art Taipei is one of the leading art fairs in the Asia-Pacific region, and Gabi was exhibiting her work at the 30th anniversary of the fair.  In this episode, we discuss Gabi's journey to becoming an artist after her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Gabi also shares with us what draws her to abstract art and what it is that she loves about acrylic paints.  You can follow Gabi on Instagram here and check out her website here. 

Mark and Marichka Marczyk met during the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. Their first dates were on burning barricades. It was from this backdrop and a love of Ukrainian traditional folk music, that Balaklava Blues then emerged.  This year, Balaklava Blues was among the performers at Taiwan's World Music Festival which took place in mid-October. I had the pleasure of watching them perform and speaking with Mark and Marichka about their story and their efforts to ensure the Ukrainian experience is heard. Hit play to learn more about the duo, how they fell in love with Ukrainian folk music, and their experience in Taiwan. The music included from Balaklava Blues' performance was kindly provided by World Music Festival, Taiwan. 

On this episode, I'm back with part two of my interview with Pien A.K.A. DJ Toilet Alien. Hit play to hear Pien's top areas to DJ at and the spaces she likes to go to on a night out. Pien also shares what success as a DJ means to her and what the underground events are like in Malaysia.  Keep up to date with Pien and her brands on Instagram, here. Feel free to also check out Mulan Theory and Lucky Strike on Instagram, whom Pien references in this episode.    

Today’s guest on Uncovered has always had a natural curiosity to explore a plethora of music genres in her sets, from pop remixes to Asian Disco. Pien A.K.A. DJ Toilet Alien's language is music, and when she's on the decks, you never know what to expect next! Hit play to hear Pien discuss the community she found from DJing, how she's always trying to learn, and how her Taiwanese-Malaysian roots have influenced her sets.  Keep up to date with Pien on Instagram here. 

Filmmaker Edward Yang is known as one of the pioneers of Taiwan's New Wave Cinema movement of the 1980s. His works are world-renowned and continue to influence directors from Taiwan and around the world. The exhibition A One and A Two: Edward Yang Retrospective is the cumulation of a three-year-long research project of archive documents currently showing at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM). Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) is simultaneously showcasing all of Yang's films. In today's episode of Uncovered, I speak to TFAM Director Wang Jun-jieh who was also one of the curators of this exhibition. Why is Yang regarded as such an influential director in Taiwan? How is he so unique to other Taiwanese filmmakers? What were the main themes of his work? Hit play to hear Director Wang answer all this and share his favorite Yang film! A One and A Two: Edward Yang Retrospective is on at TFAM until October 22. 

On today's episode of Uncovered, I speak to Frank Havermans about his art project and exhibition at Waley Art, titled Trolley 0504. Frank, who was inspired by the constant motion of Taipei City and the bustling markets on a previous visit, returned from the Netherlands, to carry out this two-month project. What is the relation of the Dutch Fort Zeelandia to Frank's piece? Why was Wanhua the best location for the project? What were the expressions of those watching a foreigner from the Netherlands drive a trolley around traditional markets? Hit play to hear us discuss Frank's project from start to finish! Check out more information and pictures of Trolley 0504 on Franks' website, here.