Concept- Taiwan Ceramics Biennale 2016
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Taiwan Ceramics Biennale held its first exhibition in 2004. In hopes of bringing distinctiveness to the current international ceramics community and expanding exhibition depth and width, the Biennale has opted for a system that alternates between a curators' competition and an artwork competition since 2008. In terms of an artwork competition, the Biennale not only awards prizes but also offers opportunities of residency and solo exhibition to the top winners for extending their artistic energy in Taiwan and furthering engagement and collaboration with their Taiwanese counterparts. For each artwork competition, Taiwan Ceramics Biennale has adopted a theme from a macro perspective with the intention of not limiting the possibilities of artistic creation or having any directional bias against certain subjects. For example, the Biennale's theme for 2008 is 'Boundless', suggesting the boundless possibilities of art; the theme for 2012 is 'Ceramic Visions', indicating the diversified beauty of ceramics; and the theme for this year's Biennale is 'Concept ', representing the diversity of perspectives and views in ceramic art. This year, Taiwan Ceramics Biennale successfully calls for artwork with distinctive perspectives and ideas, presents the general status of ceramics around the world, and acts as an important international stage for contemporary art.
This year's Taiwan Ceramics Biennale, with a core structure centered on the theme 'Concept', has further categorized the 119 pieces of art into two sub-themes based on artist's statements and forms of expression, in order to help the viewers to obtain a general understanding of the artwork and of the relationships among materials, functions, forms, space and creation concepts. The two sub-themes are 'Ceramics Beyond Vessels' and 'Concept Beyond Objects'. As a matter of fact, no categorization can fully describe the ideas and concepts of the artwork created. However it's still hoped that the sub-themes for and the visual display of the works of art may guide viewers in their appreciation, reflection and exchanging ideas as they navigate the world of those artists and learn the nature of the artwork and the trends of modern ceramic art.