A NUMBER of artists in Taipei, Taiwan held a poster exhibition at the Open Contemporary Art Center to raise awareness among the Taiwanese public regarding the humanitarian crisis occurring in Gaza, Palestine. Willy Chen, an artist from Japan who is part of the collective Punk in Taiwan, Suck Glue Boy, explained that this first poster exhibition was about the Palestinian struggle. He said that there were at least 16 posters on display in the exhibition which opened on September 28 2024.
“I think this is the first time these posters have been exhibited outside Japan,” he said when met by Media Indonesia in Taipei, Saturday (5/10).
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Willy, who is one of the exhibition organizers, said that one of the posters was made in 1901, long before the Nakba. The rest were made in the 1980s to 1990s. According to him, the dozens of posters were collected by a Japanese woman named Misako. In Japan, Willy said that Palestinian poster exhibitions had been held several times since 2022.
According to him, the Taiwanese public is less concerned with the problems occurring in Palestine. Apart from that, he continued, reports in local media often depict Palestinians and the Hamas group as terrorists.
Even though the Palestinian issue is little known to the Taiwanese public, Willy is grateful that Palestinian-related activities can take place because of the help of migrant workers who are involved in the Taiwanese arts scene.
One of the visitors, Hannah Nicole Loo, admitted that the Palestine poster exhibition in Taipei meant a lot to her. He considered that in general the Taiwanese people did not really support the struggle of the Palestinian people who were occupied by Israel.
“Until now, the majority of Taiwanese people still support products related to Israel. They are not boycotting them,” explained Hannah. (D-3)
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Analysis: Poster Exhibition Raises Awareness on Humanitarian Issues in Taiwan
Recently, I came across a news article featuring a poster exhibition held at the Open Contemporary Art Center in Taipei, Taiwan, aimed at raising awareness among the Taiwanese public about humanitarian issues. As I delved deeper, I found connections to other art-related events in Taipei, revealing a city that actively engages with art and social causes.
The exhibition in question sought to educate the public about pressing humanitarian concerns, aligning with the spirit of art as a powerful tool for social commentary. This event resonates with the objectives of another art initiative, “Design x Taipei” [[2]], which aimed to provoke reflections on design and the urban environment in Taiwan. By using art to spark conversations about social and environmental issues, these initiatives demonstrate the potential of creative expressions to inspire positive change.
Furthermore, Taipei appears to be a hub for art exhibitions and events, with the 2024 Taipei International Poster Exposition [[3]] showcasing 96 selected poster works from ten countries at the Chun-Tai Living Arts Space. This event highlights the city’s commitment to promoting art and creativity, providing a platform for artists to share their work and inspire audiences.
In addition to these events, I discovered that artist Jon Burgerman [[1]] had also hosted an exhibition in Taipei, featuring his unique style and artwork. While this event may not be directly related to the poster exhibition, it showcases the city’s vibrant art scene and its ability to attract international artists.
the poster exhibition at the Open Contemporary Art Center in Taipei reflects the city’s active engagement with art and social causes. By leveraging art as a tool for raising awareness about pressing issues, these events demonstrate the potential for creative expressions to inspire positive change and promote social commentary. As Taipei continues to host a variety of art exhibitions and events, it solidifies its position as a hub for artistic expression and social activism.
