Without the assistance of experts, we do not know how to treat children, but the true experts are the children themselves.
— Janusz Korczak (Forefather of Children's Rights)
Beyond One Hundred: A Project for Various Kids
(Trial Exhibition begins on Dec 15, 2023)
A sanctuary island preserves the diversity of children.
Each child is an evolving organism; there are not just a hundred types of children, but rather an ecosystem in each of them. Every individual existence holds extraordinary significance. To respect diversity, the biodiversity of children's lives needs to be activated.
The Children's Pavilion conjures a concealed paradise, a secluded arcadia of a habitat by the waterfront, reminiscent of a secret realm unveiled after the flood. The water's gleaming projections and the interplay of tree shadows course through the exhibition and craft a tranquil scene of a riverside cave after the flood has receded. When sunlight filters through, an effervescent imagery emerges. Life inevitably seeks an outlet. Water, nurturing life, instigating destruction, initiating rebirth, perpetuates in an endless cycle. Along the river, the audience encounters diverse communities of creatures, each adapted to different environments and educational settings. They resemble parallel timelines in a forest ecosystem, each with its own perspectives and variations. Visitors can actively participate and make some contribution, or simply observe this miniature universe.
In this exhibition, a plethora of natural elements such as driftwood, tree vines, and fallen leaves represents the naturalness and vigor associated with childhood. The totemic depictions of rivers and swirls crafted from driftwood symbolize joyful or sorrowful events and emotional whirlpools encountered in life. The ecological meaning behind "driftwood" suggests the refuge formed by nature for the biological community after destruction, serving as a vital component within ecological systems in Taiwan. The overall spatial design envelops a protective "earth" around the delicate "soul." Following the onslaught of emotional floods, the driftwood and remnants of marine waste left behind become the catalyst for a new life, acting as a source of regeneration.
In the exhibition's concluding section, the "Participatory Curatorial Zone" encapsulates our purpose. Beyond overseeing the main venue, we have extended our efforts to rural areas, establishing and managing a school in a remote village as part of our dedication to field research. This section not only features participatory curatorial projects crafted in collaboration with tribal children but also supplies easily accessible materials like marine waste. We encourage young visitors to construct their shelters and manifest their cultural beliefs that bring them a sense of security through this interactive experience.
