Matsu Biennial 2023: A Decade-Long Journey of Art and Heritage

Art Festival Revives Matsu's Cold-War Legacy through Social Design

The Matsu Biennial 2023, conceptualized by the visionary trio Chun Ming Wang, Hou ching Lee, and Han Wu, stands out as a transformative cultural event. Unlike conventional art festivals, the Biennial is a comprehensive 10-year project, with five biennials planned to progressively integrate design solutions and expert collaborations. This strategic approach intertwines cultural governance with design thinking, embedding them into policymaking to foster advancements in art and education. The event's unique properties lie in its commitment to restoring Matsu's suppressed narratives and cultural expressions from the Cold-War era, thus initiating a long-term cultural movement.

Realized through a collaborative effort, the Biennial brings together local communities and experts to co-create 70 works across 9 curation projects. These projects span various disciplines, including architecture, art, culinary experiences, and performance. The Biennial's innovative blend of contemporary and traditional arts, highlighted by installations such as the Underwater Lab and The Island Scene, employs technology art, video, sculpture, and traditional papercutting to create immersive landscapes that breathe new life into local traditions.

The expansive exhibition grounds cover Matsu's four townships and five islands, offering a diverse array of public spaces as venues. These include beaches, military sites, and even private residences, all transformed into canvases for artistic expression. The curatorial team, comprising 12 co-curators and 80 artist groups, brings an international perspective with participants from five countries, ensuring a rich tapestry of cultural exchange.

At the core of the Matsu Biennial is the principle of social design—engaging with the community to develop local characteristics, sustainability with a decade-long vision, and spatial governance that respects architectural contexts. The Biennial operates as a dynamic interface for dialogue, aiming to transform organizational cultures and foster an environment conducive to the flourishing of art and design.

The second edition of the Matsu Biennial, titled "Ruby Red After Summer," is a testament to the meticulous planning and research that began with a comprehensive survey of Matsu's heritage in 2007. The theme pays homage to the island's winemaking tradition, symbolically using the concept of fermentation to represent the nurturing of art and ideas. Overcoming challenges such as instilling cultural identification and innovating within a historical context, the Biennial has become a catalyst for local participation, education, and communication.

With its ambitious 10-year plan, the Matsu Biennial is not just an event but a movement, setting the stage for Matsu to become a hub for art and design. The theme "Ruby Red After Summer" captures the essence of the island's winemaking heritage, transforming art into a catalyst for change and giving voice to the once-suppressed narratives of Matsu. This innovative approach to social design has not only earned the Biennial the prestigious Iron A' Event and Happening Design Award but also promises to leave a lasting impact on the region's cultural landscape.