個體為點，通聯為線，社群為面，全球化網絡的結構、輪廓與脈動緊密相扣，然而，以2020年作為時間的分水嶺，COVID-19疫情徹底改變了全人類的生活節奏，國際的保護主義遂抬頭，分散化、區域化及在地化映現於政治、經濟和文化層面。世界局勢日益動盪，座落於南台灣港邊的駁二藝術特區亦是後全球化時代下的命運共同體。

 

「駁二藝術特區藝術家進駐計畫」(Pier 2 Artist in Residence Program) 自2015年啟動、運轉迄今，已邁入第七個年頭，團隊攜手致力於推動國際交流，串聯社區與校園，加強公共藝術教育推廣等，藝術家的進駐交流與創作，將在高雄這座海港城市裡如何映現及詮釋，我們期許駐村計畫中的藝術實踐在疫情時代承受的封閉和困境下迸發更多的可能性，過去不需隔離而近乎直線演進的時間，不受限於交通工具而近乎無所不及的空間，因疫情產生了新的感受與詮釋，透過邀請國內外藝術家以各自文化背景下產生的生命經驗、生活哲學、創作語彙或爬梳或再譯或形塑當今的藝術光譜。

 

本次公開徵件，以「浮」為徵件主題。自海面浮出，是台灣這座島嶼出現在世界歷史上的開端。疫情發生後，超前佈署的應變措舉，使台灣的國際能見度大幅浮現。全世界政治、環境的不穩導致諸多不確定，浮動成為常態，大至國家，小至個人，皆無法自外於此全球生態系統，人們卻也因此有了時間和機會檢視自我，原先理所當然的人事物和所有價值開始重新被定義，新的價值於暗夜中悄然浮現。

 

關於「浮」，為變動、不穩、輕盈、懸宕，氛圍中既有不安，亦有愜意，心靈感受與精神體驗的本質立基於相對中，最深沉黑暗裡的光最明亮，禍與福彼此相倚，限制構成靈感，幽閉化為滋養，不可預期的事件連接藝術領域的外部與內部、群體與個體，令藝術家以藝術之外的觀察與體悟重新回看自身之藝術經驗，藉由創作實踐與進駐交流，訴說屬於後疫情時代的獨特史觀，帶領觀者面對嶄新的世界觀。

 

With individuals as points, communications as lines, and communities as planes, global networks used to be closely interconnected in their structures and trends. However, with 2020 as a watershed year, humanity's pace of life has been changed drastically by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the rise of protectionism on a global scale and the phenomena of decentralization, regionalization, and localization in politics, the economy, and culture. In the face of mounting unrest around the world, the Pier-2 Art Center, which sits by a harbor in southern Taiwan, also shares a common destiny with all in this post-globalization era.

 

The year 2022 marks the seventh year since the Pier-2 Artist-in-Residence Program (PAIR) was inaugurated in 2015. Over the years, the PAIR team has been joining efforts to advance international exchange, connect the community and campus, and promote public art education. How will the participation and interaction of artists-in-residence in PAIR be presented and interpreted in this maritime city of Kaohsiung? We hope that artistic practice in PAIR can spark more possibilities amid restrictions and adversities endured during the pandemic. In the past, while time progressed almost linearly as quarantine was not required, no space was inaccessible as there was no limitation in transportation resources. But now, time and space are felt and interpreted differently due to the pandemic. PAIR hereby invites artists staying or living in Taiwan to look into, reinterpret, or shape today's spectrum of art through their own life experiences and philosophies as well as creative lexicons generated under different cultural backgrounds.

 

The theme for this open call is "Floating." The floating out of the island of Taiwan from the sea was how it made its first appearance in the world's history. Taiwan's preemptive measures after the first outbreak of COVID-19 have made its global profile float up significantly. Political and environmental instability across the globe has brought about numerous uncertainties; everything is subject to change and seems to be floating rather than fixed. This global ecosystem is dominating all, be it a country or an individual. Yet, people therefore have more time and opportunities to reflect on themselves, people and things that used to be taken for granted as well as all values have been redefined, and new values have floated up quietly in the dark night.

 

"Floating" suggests changes, instability, lightness, and suspense, creating an atmosphere that carries both uneasiness and relaxation. Just as the mind stands in contrast to the spirit and light shines brightest in the deepest dark, disasters and blessings are often in disguise. Restrictions can be inspiring, staying in confined places can nurture creation, and unpredictable events can link the field of art within and without and bring groups and individuals together. All of this allows artists to re-examine their artistic experiences through observation and understanding outside of art. With creative practice and exchange in PAIR, artists-in-residence are expected to set out their unique conception of history in this post-pandemic period and to lead the audience to look at new world views.