Dream Construction No.7 is about to start. For people visiting this space, you can enjoy a landscape with a view as if elsewhere, and have a moment of relaxation and quietness. As usual, dream construction continues to build with the studio. Please excuse for any inconvenience.
Exhibiting Artists: Lee Jo-Mei, Chiu Chen-Hung, Chiu Yu-Fen, Hsu Jia-Chen, Chen Yen-Ling, Chi Chien, Chiang Chia-Chi, Hsiao Mei
Set as a material conversation between Artist Run Initiatives (ARIs) and Aboriginal Art Centres in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, this project embodies and provokes conversations about place: How does place matter for artists? Why do ARIs exist in specific places? What is the place of practice?Writer Chris Kraus’s radical localism points to the importance of the local places of art-making compared to global-centrism noting that ARIs create 'an opportunity to remain in one’s own community and assert an alternative ethos.
Open Contemporary was invited to be part of Taipei Biennial 2010, and created project Biennial Scope for Taipei Biennial. There are three stages to the project, first and second stages was completed along with the end of Taipei Biennial exhibition. The third stage is a publication project.
It’s a kind of warmth from freshly baked bread, an invitation, an observation, a change and a test for adventuring hearts. After experiencing an information overload from artistic fulfillment mixed with the growth and exhaustion from long travels, artists have a small part in their heart that is slowly changing, building and settling down, as if fermenting in butterfly effects.
Alternative Space? Artist-run Space?
Alright, so today we have reached an understanding that “alternative space” has merely a historical connotation left, whereas “artist-run space” cuts directly to the chase, but still nothing is explained through these terms. We suggest a temporary halt on the investigation of terminology. The significance lies in what we do, what we did and what we will be doing next.
So what have you been up to?
In short, we practice art and curate exhibitions. When able, we also organize forums, launch publications and initiate projects for international artistic exchange. If you haven’t the time to read the brief introduction on the back, all you need to remember is this: our job is to generate new dialogues between art and the public and to offer the world something different for a change, or at the very least, we try our best when making mistakes.
Why not simply focus on practicing art?
It’s not that simple. In fact, there is no such thing as simply practicing art. Contemporary art and its viewers have broken away from the monotonous relationship of simply paying a visit to the museum. Whether people are aware of it or not, art has undoubtedly permeated into every aspect of our lives. Therefore, a genuine art practitioner would not shy away when met face to face with genuine public issues. We simply want to do it better.
Where does your funding come from?
Unemployment subsidies. That was a joke. We operate with funds which come from our own pockets and occasional help from limited government funding—translation: we are often short of cash.
Are all members artists?
We were founded as an artist-based organization, but are delighted to have recruited more and more members from interdisciplinary professions in recent years. As for the artists, you may still catch a glimpse of them from time to time carrying a spear and shield, riding a scrawny horse and followed around by a fox hound.
Can I join?
Certainly, you are most welcome to join us. Please note, however, this is not a recruitment ad. Despite our wish to recruit more like-minded friends, we hope that all potential members first try to understand our situation before participating in anything. Acknowledgement of the process is in itself an important form of participation, which means that everything you imagine could be possible. In other words, we would love your attention starting from now.
How does one follow you?
This is an important question but extremely easy to achieve. Simply follow these steps:
(1) like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/opencontemporary
(2) e-mail us at [email protected];
(3) visit us and chat with us whenever
you’re free. You may even receive a cup of freshly brewed coffhee.
Do you accept donations?
Please don’t ask, just act!
