Have a look at the colorful "Pinoy Art on Wheels" on Philippine anti-TB stamps

By Nancy T. Lu
“Pinoy Art on Wheels” is the theme of this year’s Philippine anti-TB stamps (see photo above) issued this month by the Philippine Anti-Tuberculosis Society, Inc.

Prominent Filipino painter Manuel D. Baldemor invited Filipino contemporary artists of different generations to contribute designs of different styles to the seals used for fund-raising in the fight against tuberculosis in the Philippines.

Initially the colorful jeepney, a popular public transport in the Philippines, was the topic decided upon. But eventually the design theme was broadened to cover wheels in general. Baldemor himself chose to bring in the “sorbetero” or ice cream vendor still familiar to the population in the Philippines.

Baldemor took a short break from his big project in France to return to Manila for the launching of the stamps. He is working on a mosaic mural (see picture below) for the Basilica of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Lisieux, Normandy, France. His masterpiece on the Philippine People Power Revolution, which is being executed with the help of two French mosaic artists, will be iinstalled on October 18, 2009.

Baldemor is a famous artist whose brightly colored works have appeared on many UNICEF Christmas cards over the years.

Korean artist Lee Jae-Hyo turns wood and stainless steel nails into mesmerizing art

By Nancy T. Lu

Many Taipei residents are likely to remember seeing an enormous spherical shape in the shadows on one side of the spacious lobby of the Grand Hyatt Taipei.

Chopped pieces of pine wood, which give away the Korean artist’s closeness to Mother Nature, are brought together and crafted to make this attractive piece of art. The creative style of the geometric form is unique and powerful in its simplicity.

Lee Jae-Hyo, the 44-year-old Korean artist who has been making a name internationally through his creative idea and vision, is in Taipei. In fact, his works stand out at the ongoing “Art Taipei 2009” at the Taipei World Trade Center.

“My art is about the material,” said Lee. “Everything begins and ends with the material. I simply want to show the nature of my common raw materials like wood and nails.”

Lee pointed out that wood and nails are easy to find. His creative concern is “to discover a different way to present the common materials.” Obviously he has succeeded in this area with mesmerizing effect.

Lee summed up his art this way: “Investigating new material is the key.”

The artist has been creating wood masterpieces in the last 20 years. His collection of works at the major art trade event in Taipei, however, includes remarkable pieces covered with thousands of stainless steel nails. Such art has been developed in the last five years. The pointed slender fasteners have been pounded in to make patterns which cast a spell on onlookers.

Lee actually started with iron nails. Inability to control their rust made him settle for the harder stainless steel nails.

Whether working with wood or stainless steel nails, Lee has been pulling in the viewers of his art like magnet, intriguing and fascinating them with his amazing use of his chosen material. Chopped pieces of wood make a lounging chair. Nails hammered into burned wood and bended with a tool form the hypnotic pattern of a painting-like wall decoration with surface and edges smoothed out.

Asked if it is technically difficult to produce a work covered with nails, Lee explained that the physical challenge of a tough material like stainless steel nails is easily overcome with the ever-improving tools available. He has not seen the need to invent new devices. Rather, he has simply modified existing ones to meet his needs.

Lee has a number of craftsmen helping him realize his nail art designs. In fact, his catalogue has a picture of a masterpiece covered completely with Korean characters. These, he explained, are the names of all his workers. Another work has been devoted to the Roman alphabet.

"Art Taipei 2009" winds up at the Taipei World Trade Center on September 1.

Philippines making interesting debut as country represented at ongoing "Art Taipei 2009"

By Nancy T. Lu

The Philippine contemporary art scene is largely unfamiliar to art aficionados in Taiwan. Yet there are many Filipino talents of different generations waiting to be discovered.

Galerie Joaquin’s first-time participation in Art Taipei 2009 — likewise the Philippines’ first exposure at the major art event — promises to be truly an eye opener for local art collectors.

But only a handful of the gifted and appreciated Filipino artists are being introduced through sample works at the booth of Galerie Joaquin at the Taipei World Trade Center. They include Ramon Orlina, Eufemio Rasco IV, Jaspher Penuliar, Jerry Morada, Lydia Velasco, Dominic Rubio, Anthony Palo, PJ Jalandoni and Daniel de la Cruz. Rasco, Rubio and Orlina have made impacts at a number of international art auctions and art trade shows in the last few years.

Opening night of Art Taipei 2009 on August 27 attracted a lot of inquiries at the booth of Galerie Joaquin.

Jack Teotico, editor of Contemporary Art Philippines, will speak on “Trends of Philippine Contemporary Art” at 10:40 a.m. on August 30 at the Taipei International Convention Center.

The developments in the Philippine contemporary art scene have been pretty blurred in the last decade or two for me due to my long absence. Yet in my early years as a journalist, I had the privilege to work for a newspaper magazine where exceptional Filipino artists like the late Rodolfo Ragodon, the late Nonoy Marcelo, Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, and Pablo Baens Santos were my colleagues.

I moved to another magazine a few years later. The famous Mauro Malang Santos had his office just one floor above mine in Intramuros, Manila, at that time. Manuel Baldemor, one of the most collected Filipino artists today, was working then for Malang. Together with two French artists, Baldemor is presently busy making a big mosaic mural for the Basilica of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Lisieux, Normandy, France. This masterpiece will be inaugurated in October 2009.

Bencab, one of the top Filipino painters today, made a surprise visit to Taipei years ago to participate in a group exhibition of prints at the National Museum of History on Nanhai Road. In recent days he has been one of the active leaders of the big protest lodged against Philippine President Gloria Arroyo’s controversial declaration of architect Francisco “Gabby” Manosa, fashion designer Jose Pitoy Moreno, stage luminary Cecile Guidote-Alvarez and cartoonist filmmaker Carlo J. Caparas as awardees of the National Artist honor. He even offered to return his own award to raise his full objection to the violation of the selection process this year. The case has reached the Philippine Supreme Court. Alvarez and Caparas have been the main targets of the protest initiated by a group of prominent Filipino artists.

Deaflympics opening ceremony to highlight perseverance and strength of participants

A fourth grader who is challenged in hearing will make his dramatic appearance astride a water buffalo during the two-and-a half hour opening ceremony of the Deaflympics Taipei 2009 on September 5, announced the Deaflympics Taipei Organizing Committee.

The traditional farm animal from Taiwan’s former agricultural society is intended to be a symbol of the perseverance and hard work of the physically challenged athletes at the Deaflympics Taipei 2009 to unfold from September 5 to 15.

Stan Lai (see file photo), Taiwan’s most influential playwright and theater director, will direct a one-hour production during the opening ceremony. He will bring in the lad named Cheng Kun-hsing on the carabao and have him lead other children at the start of a scenario which will tell the story of the evolution of Taipei from rural to urban setting.

Dancers creating an ocean scene will open the program and pave the way for suggestions of the tilling of the land. When little Cheng, who is enrolled at the Taipei School for the Deaf, appears, he will be joined by other children, who will create a field scene. Together, the children in the program will use the sign language to say eloquently: "This is a beautiful land. Perseverance or focus will lead to accomplishment. The strength lies in you.”

Model Patina Lin's picture (above) is from the 2009 Deaflympics Taipei website. She will be featured as a flying ocean goddess during the opening ceremony.

Celebrities expected at the event will include Chang Hui-mei, Taiwan's pop diva who will be transformed into an airborne singing bird. She will perform the theme song of the Deaflympics Taipei 2009. Aboriginal singer Kimbo's voice will also dramatically fill the stadium at one point, vocalizing "Power in Me." International action star Jet Li will be one of the VIP guests.

President Ma Ying-jeou will declare the 11-day Deaflympics Taipei open, using the sign language. Throughout the program, there will be invocations for blessings. Prayer lanterns will be used. Technical experts from the Sydney Olympics and Doha Asian Games have been sought to handle the lighting up of the stadium during the big opening event. Fireworks will also ignite the night.

The 2009 Deaflympics Taipei will see the participation of over 8,000 athletes from 91 countries. Taiwan's 202 athletes who will be fielded in 16 events will aim to win at least 12 gold medals.

Deaflympics Taipei has enlisted the help of 9,763 volunteers. Their ages range from 15 to 72. They have received lessons in the sign language. Likewise, 5,510 law enforcers have undergone similar training in the run up to the Deaflympics Taipei.

Best of Taiwan to be theme of craft and design show in Taipei from August 28 to September 1

By Nancy T. Lu

Chou Yu-jun, Su Su-ren and Chen Kao-ming’s bamboo stool called “Bambool” will be a most attractive and rare item to order on the spot at “Craft Taiwan 2009” at the Taipei World Trade Center (D Area) from August 28 to September 1, announced the event organizer, the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute. “Crafts for Life – Exhibition of Taiwan’s Best” will be the theme of the craft show.

The remarkable bamboo stool, a collector’s item, was the Taiwan design product which drew raves at the Maison et Objet home-fashion trade show in Paris in September 2008. The item of great refinement (shown in background of one photo) takes a long time to produce, rendering orders difficult to meet. Five such stools will be up for grabs among buyers.

During her meeting with the head of the Louvre in Paris this year, Huang Pi-twan (shown speaking in photo above), chairperson of the Council for Cultural Affairs, was told about the great aesthetic impact of the design at the trade show to her great delight.

An award-winning modern chair called “43”(see photo) is to be available for ordering, too. The Pompidou Center in Paris is reported to be interested in this beautiful product design, which requires exactly 43 strips of bamboo to make.

The National Taiwan Research Institute has been stepping efforts to promote the cultural creative industry particularly through the craft industry in the hope of being able to catch the attention of those with an eye for excellent innovative design. Training programs stimulate interest in crafts and skills notably among Taiwan’s younger generation.

A total of 100 booth spaces spread out over an area of 300 pings will be filled with a wide range of design products at the trade show. On view will be the evolution of Taiwan crafts since 1970.

“An exhibition being planned is rounding up the works of 60 of the country’s top craftsmen,” said Lin Jeng-yi, director of the institute. “The display will include over 100 items: from the classics to the contemporary designs. Craftsmen and artists considered as national treasures and masters are to be featured through their creative works, which are a combination of design and craft.”

A section will be transformed into a showcase of masterpieces like ceramic vase by Lin Pao-chia, lacquered art (see photo of work with aboriginal subject) by Lai Kao-shan, Li Sung-lin’s woodcarving, Chang Hsien-ping’s woven bamboo and Wu Ching’s gold sculpture.

New Chi, a label being pushed by Heinrich Wang, will be there to make impact through exquisitely beautiful and unique porcelain designs. Yii will be unveiling the creations of 18 award-winning local craftsmen and 15 contemporary designers with international exposures. The presence of The One, a label of ever-growing popularity, can likewise be expected.

Taiwan gets unprecedented taste of success at international culinary championship in Taipei

By Nancy T. Lu

Taiwan had a first taste of culinary glory on home ground, finally succeeding in keeping the grand trophy in the international cooking contest during the 2009 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition.

The Chinese Gourmet Association team representing Northern Taiwan upstaged their closest rival from Fuzhou, China in the final round of the competition. The eight groups seeking to be declared the best this year represented China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, the United States, Northern Taiwan and Southern Taiwan.

Lo Chin-han and his winning team members proudly raised their thumbs in a victory gesture when Janice Lai, director general of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, presented a crystal cup to Lo, declaring his group as the overall cooking champion during an awarding ceremony at the Taipei World Trade Center on Sunday, August 23.

“This year’s eight teams turned out to be stronger than those in 2007,” remarked Dr. Chuck Yim Gee, a veteran judge of culinary competitions and the chairman of the jury panel this time. “The judges were all looking for something new and exciting. The teams created new Chinese cuisine, earning our admiration.”

He explained that judging was first carried out the traditional way. And then the jury voted anonymously, indicating their strong personal choices.

Chefs Lo Chin-han, Chen Chao-feng, Kang Chih-wei, Huang Chung-loung and Wen Kuo-chih of the champion team had to prepare appetizers, a soup, a giant grouper dish, an Yilan duck recipe, a livestock main course and a dessert all under strict time constraint. The food ingredients which must be used were announced only at the last minute. There was no time to practice. They ended up turning to the home-cooking of their mothers for inspiration.

The cash prize given out this year was NT$300,000. But even before the announcement of the big winner, Lo from the triumphant team already offered to generously donate NT$150,000 to the victims of the typhoon Morakot disaster. Uniforms with autographs of the chefs from the different teams were earlier auctioned as part of the fund-raising drive to benefit the typhoon victims.

The Fuzhou Juchuyuan Group in China, the Super Star Group of the Asian Chefs Association in Hong Kong, the Society of Chinese Cuisine Chefs in Singapore, the Master Chefs of Kyoto in Japan, the Pan Malaysian Koo Soo Restaurants Chefs Association, the Pariss Seafood Restaurant Jhubei representing Southern Taiwan and the Chinese Gourmet Association fielding the chefs from Northern Taiwan all contributed to the putting of Taiwan on the international culinary map.

Culinary event in Taipei, now on its 20th year, whets appetite

By Nancy T. Lu
The 2009 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition, now on its 20th year, has not lost its appeal. Far from it.

Colors and forms grab the eye, even inviting experience through the palate, as soon as a visitor enters the Taipei World Trade Center. Dining menu options and banquet offerings in beautiful settings have never looked so appetizing and tempting.

This year’s food celebration is particularly strong in riding on the attraction of places with great tourism potential. Suzhou, Venice of the East renowned for its stone bridges, pagodas and gardens romantically reflected in the water, proudly presents the exquisite refinement of Chinese cuisine in an entire pavilion at Taipei’s foremost food event. Recipes call for stewing, braising, quick-frying, stir-frying, steaming, roasting or deep-frying.

Dishes done Suzhou style are said to veer towards the sweet side. Presentation tends to be classical. Servings of Suzhou cuisine are set beautifully against picture backdrops capturing typical Suzhou scenes. One unforgettable dish consists of tofu finely sliced into strips resembling traditional noodles. In keeping with the Chinese penchant for extending good wishes, gods of good fortune as well as of longevity find their places next to auspicious sayings in the array of Suzhou specialties.

Taiwan’s very own culinary talents from far and wide have been mobilized and grouped for special highlight and ultimately for better appreciation by the crowds of visitors at the Taiwan Culinary Exhibition from August 20 to 23.

Twelve international hotels and restaurants are trotting out their food bestsellers during the period. Landis Taipei’s Tien Hsiang Lo, for example, entices with fine food preparations like braised bamboo pith with shepherd’s purse as well as braised noodles with water eels and Chinese leeks. Tautau makes a convincing sales pitch through a set menu costing only NT$880. Dishes include abalone and scallop.

If the queue is exceptionally long at the booth of the Formosa International Hotels Corporation and Silks Palace, the explanation lies in the incredible offering of a stay complete with breakfast at the five-star Grand Formosa Regent of Taipei for only NT$3,999. The regular price is NT$12,078.

Visit recreational farms and try rural living. An entire pavilion offers tips on wonderful dining possibilities in the countryside and up in the mountains the whole year round. Fresh food ingredients wait to be enjoyed very much in keeping with a healthy lifestyle, according to chefs on duty.

About 50 giant grouper recipes in another section point to how the harvest of this usually exported fish is being returned to the local dining table for the delectation of gourmands in Taiwan. Chefs demonstrate here their creative expertise in cooking it.

As in the past, a cooking championship event gathers experienced teams from Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Fuzhou, the United States and Northern as well as Southern Taiwan to compete against each other this year. The final competition will take place on August 23. At stake is the grand prize of NT$300,000.

Folk entertainment like Taiwanese glove puppet theater on a special stage is a new feature at the food fair. Dough figure items sell as souvenirs for tourists to bring home. Food products sold elsewhere, such as handmade noodles and special sauces to go with them from Kinmen, may be the preferable choices of shoppers, who want to share food discoveries with their loved ones at home.

The Food Street buzzes with activity the whole day. A day at the 2009 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition is not complete without a detour to this corner to actually order some food of personal fancy.