Introduction

In recent years, film exhibitions have gained prominence in the global art scene. Major museums and art galleries, collaborating with filmmakers, artists and curators, have given rise to a wave of showcasing films as part of contemporary art exhibitions. Unlike the traditional exhibitions which focus on static and archival displays, film exhibitions emphasize the significant achievements of films and filmmakers in terms of history, aesthetics, and technology, while highlighting the dialogue between the form of film exhibitions and contemporary arts. When showcasing film archival materials at art museums, the key lies in the re-audiovisualization and re-figuration of films to allow the audience to immerse themselves in the cinematic world to experience sound, light, space and other perceptual dimensions and have a renewed understanding of films on physical, psychological, and intellectual levels.

As is well known, Edward Yang, a key figure of "Taiwanese New Wave," has created a remarkable oeuvre, comprising of one episode of television drama series (“Fuping [Floating Weeds]"), seven and a quarter feature films (from Xiwang [Expectations] to Yi Yi), and four theatrical productions (Likely Consequence, Growth Period, Brother Nine and Old Seven - A ‘97 Fantasy, and King Lear - Experimental Shakespeare). Through his highly imaginative audio-visual aesthetics and incisive critical perspective, Yang's works showcase the living conditions of urbanites and their experiences with modernity. His techniques are often bold, witty, and innovative, imparting unique temporalities to Taiwanese cinema with respect to urban representation, gender politics, political critique, historical violence, social change, and multimedia aspects. In addition, Yang's works are characterized by his particular appreciation for architecture, music, painting, literature, theater, and other fields.

In 2019, Edward Yang’s widow, Ms Kaili Peng deposited a collection of over 10,000 archival materials with Taiwan Film & Audiovisual Institute for refinement and digitalization. These archival materials, including diaries, essays, letters, manuscripts, photographs, and videotapes, bear unique characteristics and important marks of the various stages of the late director’s life. In an effort to bring these invaluable archival documents to the public and to gain a broader and deeper understanding of Edward Yang’s artistic vision, Taiwan Film & Audiovisual Institute joins hands with Taipei Fine Arts Museum, co-curated by the director of TFAM Jun-Jieh Wang and Professor Sing Song-Yong of Taipei National University of the Arts, with Ms Kaili Peng as the chief creative consultant, to organize the first major film exhibition honoring this director who rose to fame in the “Taiwanese New Wave” and established himself in the world of art cinema. This exhibition presents a fresh perspective on the works of Edward Yang by integrating various interdisciplinary forms such as animation, photography, installations, video, theater, and sound. The goal is to provide a renewed understanding of the life and creative history of this filmmaker and his era, highlighting his crucial position in world film history, and his lasting influence on future generations.

In light of this context, a two-day international forum is set to focus on two main themes: “Film and Art Museums” and “The Cinematic World of Edward Yang.” Esteemed guests Jaap Guldemond, a senior curator at the Eye Filmmuseum in the Netherlands, and Jean-Michel Frodon, a renowned film scholar and former head editor of Cahiers du cinéma in France are invited to give keynote speeches. In addition, four panel discussions on topics of “Film Curation and Exhibition,” “Film Art and Interdisciplinarity,” “Edward Yang’s Cinematic Revolution” and “The Legacy of Edward Yang” are scheduled, bringing together experienced curators, artists from various fields, critics, scholars, and young filmmakers from home and abroad. Through these discussions, it is hoped that a deeper understanding of Edward Yang’s cinematic art and his era, and the unique presentation and contemporary perception of dynamic audiovisual art in art museums, can be achieved.

〔Organized by: Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute ＆ Taipei Fine Arts Museum 〕

〔Special Thanks: Bureau Français de Taipei〕

Time: JUL 22, 2023 (Sat.) 10:30 - 17:00

          JUL 23, 2023 (Sun.) 10:40 - 17:00

Venue: Auditorium, Taipei Fine Arts Museum

            Simultaneous Interpretation in Mandarin and English Provided

    △ Online pre-registration is required and begins on JUL 10 (Mon.) 10:00 AM.

    △ The registration page will automatically close when reached the maximum number of participants
    △ Check-in:

JUL 22  (Sat.) 10:00 - 10:15; the registration expires when exceeding the check-in timeframe

JUL 23 (Sun.) 10:00 - 10:20; the registration expires when exceeding the check-in timeframe

Notice       

• All backpacks and items exceeding 40 x 30 x 20 cm must be stored in a locker at the Museum Information Center located in the lobby.
• Participating in the forum is free of charge. Please purchase an ordinary TFAM visitor’s ticket when entering the museum.
• In the case of changes on the symposium schedule, information on the official website shall prevail.