Reported by Jhan Zong-Han / County Government
This year marks the second anniversary of the project “Design of the World, I See Kinmen” launched by the Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau. A total of 118 pieces were submitted by twenty universities and colleges in Taiwan, and ten pieces were granted a reward to help their creators participate in 67 design competitions in Taiwan and abroad. Four of the pieces won the Red Dot Design Award. Thanks to the creators’ design capacity and excellent performance, the whole world experienced the unique charm of Kinmen once again.
The project “Design of the World, I See Kinmen” was inspired by the cultural image and industries with local characteristics in Kinmen, and aims to integrate the rich cultural contents and artistic value. Apex Lin, the project director, said: “This project brings together the academia and industry, allowing design enthusiasts all over the world to share their ideas and learn from each other while attracting more people to pay attention to this beautiful place and experience the charm of the islands of Kinmen firsthand.” The pieces submitted this year also gained high recognition on the international stage. The “Cannon-Shaped Golden Knives” created by the team of Shu-Te University and the “Taste of Four Seasons” created by the team of Asia University won the Red Dot Design Award.
Under the leadership of Prof. Chen Cheng-Chang, students of the Department of Visual Communication Design at Shu-Te University, including Huang Shih-Ming, Wang Yu-Chao, Sia Shih-Han, and Lin Wun-Yu, created the “Cannon-Shaped Golden Knives,” which are a set of metal knives with a shape of cannons, based on the most important battlefield history of Kinmen. The traditional image of Wind Lion God was also incorporated to symbolize peace and protection. Prof. Yu Ming-Lung of the Department of Visual Communication Design at Asia University and his students Li Wun-Han, Lin Zih-Yu, and Jheng Ya-Wun focused on the natural landscape of Kinmen and centered their work on hoopoes, the bird of the county. Their piece “Taste of Four Seasons” combined both illustrations and woodcut to print the images they created on the colorful tea set, so that people can savor the tea while having fun by watching the scenery of four seasons. The piece “The Mission of Wudao Agent in Kinmen,” created by the team of Hsing Wu University, not only obtained good results in international competitions, but also won Taiwan’s 2018 Young Pin Design Award.
Lyu Kun-He, Director of the Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau, stated that the marketing of Kinmen through designs by young students has enabled countless ideas to become the constant force that drives the development of local industries and brings more attention and applause to this land. To provide more information about this event, the selected pieces are exhibited at the Lounge of the 113 Collaborative Creation Club at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei from now on until November 8th, 2018 and at Rueiguan Hall of Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau from November 19th, 2018 (Monday) to November 23rd, 2018 (Friday). Please come and experience the unique culture and customs of Kinmen firsthand and help us spread the “Kinmen Style” to the whole world.