Work> Traversing, Tainan
An exhibition (Design) that takes you through 400 years of an ancient capital.
#Exhibition #Event
"Traversing, Tainan" is an exhibition meticulously curated by the Tainan Art Museum, focusing on this ancient city shaped by the passage of time. Through diverse perspectives, the exhibition explores the rational evolution of urban development and the emotional threads of its way of life. To present the rich and varied content, the curatorial team, Sanshi, was entrusted with designing an array of multimedia exhibition spaces and theatres, using an accessible yet artistic approach.
This is a city that has been on the world stage since the Age of Exploration. Time has layered itself here, creating winding alleys that form a unique living landscape, painting the texture of the urban fabric. From this very moment, you will witness Tainan's scenery across centuries, unfolding before your eyes like a continuous scroll of art.
Using the lens of urban planning, uncover the development patterns of Tainan
Maps, as the core storytelling interface, reveal Tainan’s transformation and the construction patterns of different eras. They guide visitors through the city’s worldview across time, offering insights into its development.
The exhibition presents Tainan’s urban planning from various angles, encompassing housing, industry, transportation, resources, and public infrastructure. Through sectional displays, elements like land use, infrastructure, and cultural life are deconstructed, allowing visitors to appreciate the city’s growth in detail.
An interactive installation, "Tainan Observatory," showcases dynamic city data. A central map reveals hidden stories through visual movement, while a panoramic floor map highlights landscapes, climate, and transportation, immersing visitors in the rhythm and texture of the city.
In the final exhibition space, "The Realm" envisions "Future Tainan," showcasing how the city could use digital tools to address urban challenges, enhance life quality through smart data analysis, and develop human-centric services. It incorporates the concept of a "resilient city," aiming to strengthen environmental adaptability, disaster response, and sustainable living.
The piece is structured into chapters: Soil and Water Conservation, Agricultural Land Planning, Marine Environment, Industrial Synergy, and Future Vision, guided by principles such as flexibility, robustness, inclusivity, and integration.
Addressing themes like climate change, conservation, and resource protection, the production integrates 3D-printed sculptures symbolising Tainan’s geography, paired with sound, data visuals, projections, and installations. Together, these elements present a compelling vision of Tainan as a smart and resilient city of the future.
The word "Unveiling" in Through Tainan reflects a look back at 400 years of history and a vision for the future. As Taiwan's first internationally recognised city, Tainan represents a key milestone.
The exhibition uses maps to illustrate the city's story, transitioning from simple icons to symbols of its landscapes—mountains, rivers, oceans, and lagoons. Spanning from the Dutch era to modern times, it explores land, industry, and oceanic themes through digital media, connecting history to Tainan’s future.
Let's connect
Curious about this piece or need it for a show? Reach out—we'd love to chat.
#Artwork