Dragon Palace by Cheng Tsung FENG
This bamboo pavillion at the Budai Sea view Park, a fishing port in Chiayi, Taiwan is a place of contemplation.
Cheng Tsung Feng calls himself an old soul who is reluctant to let go of his love for age-old wisdom and stories of ancestors. And it is within these tales of wisdom and rituals he dips in for inspiration. Just like he did for this pavilion at the sightseeing fishing port, the Budai Sea view Park of Chiayi. The marine environment of Taiwan is abundant with marine life and Cheng Tsung was fascinated by the beauty of their shapes and organic appearance. But the structure was weaved around folklore: “There is a stream next to this fishing port called “Dragon Palace River.” “Dragon Palace” became the inspiration that inspired me to start my creation. In Taiwan, an island country, we often heard some familiar ocean fairy tales in our childhood, saying that there is an underwater palace called Dragon Palace in the deep sea,” he says.
A large awning in bamboo, a material that Cheng Tsung loves to explore, seems to mimic an aperture and could also be the dragon within the palace that the artist imagined, standing at the entrance to welcome visitors and ward off the evil eye, offering shade as well as setting the vista open for observing the marine life.
Cheng Tsung has blended the various marine biological characteristics to construct and weave a pavillion with bamboo, wood, and rope.
“The pavilion has a peaceful appearance and evokes a sense of ritual. When it gets dark, the pavilion will be lit up and down with the breathing rate, just like a monster that wakes up in the night, and it will lead the islanders to go to the mysterious Dragon Palace of the ocean fairy tale.”
This work of art by Cheng Tsung is not a reflection of Covid times, for the country has not been affected at all, according to Cheng Tsung.
And the reason behind it, according to the artist, is the country’s design-centric approach. “It is invisible design. I am very proud of the various design arrangements the government took to keep us safe through education and proper communication. As a result of this approach, we can even hold large-scale exhibitions and events, go to the cinema to watch movies and eat in restaurants,” says Cheng Tsung, visibly proud of the country that has come has come back to normalcy before any other, without huge economic implications or health hazards.
Artist: Cheng Tsung FENG
Year: 2020
Location: Budai Seaview Park, Chiayi, Taiwan
Size: 680(L)x650(W)x450(H)cm
Materials: Japanese cedar, Makino bamboo, White rope, LED Light
Credits:Adviser: Ministry of Transportation and Communications
Organizer: Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration
Coordinator: Ding Yong Culture Creativity
Curator: Min SU (Netizen Productions)
Project manager: Hsuan Yi Kuo, Wan Ting CHANG, Hui Lin Yeh
Project Designer: Chan Wei HSU
Wooden Structure: Yumu Manufacture & Research
Weaving Structure: Yu Cheng SHEN
Lighting Design: Oude Light(Yi Chang CHEN, ChienKuo HO)
Photographer: Yi-Hsien LEE @nevermind1107
