About Program X-site
Based on the outdoor plaza of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM), Program X-site (2014 -) launches an annual open call for experimental projects of temporary installations. From multiple perspectives, such as architectural construction, contemporary art, environmental research, public participation, etc, the event encourages integrated projects of innovative experimentation in interdisciplinarity and publicness. In addition, it inspires the public to imagine and explore the issues of public space, urban environment, human development, etc. Program X-site has benefited various practical projects proposed by cutting-edge teams of architecture and art over the years and thus become an important breeding platform of openness and experimentation for the young and middle-aged generations in Taiwan. Analogue Forest conceived by the interdisciplinary team Office One Senses (OOS) distinguished itself as the 11th laureate.
About Analogue Forest
For the TFAM plaza with a space order of simplicity under strong sunshine, Analogue Forest provides a vast shade, offering a spatial experience of exploration and comfort for the crowded tourists in summer.
The work delineates a shadow as vast as possible with 25 tree-like columns, slightly swaying from time to time, above which sprays a weightless coverage. Its gigantic scale draws pedestrians into the structure to liberate themselves from the time and space dominated by daily life. The coverage gradually descending to the four corners creates a center, and at the same time, a fundamental principle for the construction of the structure system. The substantial contrast between the human scale at the edges and towering column in the center gradually transforms the wandering experience into an inner exploration of spirituality. Whenever a visitor steps in, the outline of the towering tent on the plaza instantly departs into thin, scattered light, penetrating the shading mesh to illuminate a non-lieu in the tent: a visioned forest constructed in analogy to nature.
Inspired by the lush branches and overlapping foliage, the architectural design is endowed with an image of shelter in a forest, suggesting by analogy a promenade in the woods as a physical experience. The plaza now serves no longer just as a background anchored in time. The constant and fragmented experiences of being in the forest are awakened here and now in an unfamiliar presence, from which springs a “forest on the plaza” spontaneously.
Notes for visitors
Analogue Forest is an architecture of dynamic space. Visitors are recommended to interact appropriately with the installation, but please be sure to observe the following precautions. In case of emergency, please follow the instructions of the on-site staff for response and evacuation.
1. Please note in interaction with the installation:
① Children under 7 years old must be accompanied by a parent or an adult companion.
② Please do not push, pull, or climb the tree-like columns with force (by multiple people).
③ Please put away parasols, umbrellas, and sharp objects to avoid getting caught in the mesh.
④ Please do not pull the mesh, or throw/hang objects on the mesh.
⑤ Please be sure to pay attention to the gaps between the ground and pedestals and between the pavements on the plaza. Please avoid placing your fingers, toes, or even personal belongings at the junctures of each dynamic column which might be closed.
2. In case of force majeure, the work will be temporarily closed due to safety concerns. Please do not enter, and come visit when it is open again.
3. According to the preparation of the public events, Analogue Forest will be closed for 30 minutes before and after each session (according to the on-site announcement of the day). Please adjust your visiting routes.
4. The organization, postponement, or cancellation of the public events will be managed according to the weather. Please visit the TFAM official website for more information.