RamiS

Presented by Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center, the first edition of Taiwan International Austronesian Art Triennial launched on October 28 at Taiwan Indigenous Culture Park in Pintung, Taiwan, and is open until February 18, 2024.

The Triennial’s theme, RamiS (“root” in Proto-Austronesian), was co-curated by Nakaw Putun and Etan Pavavalung. The Triennial seeks to trace the roots of the Austronesian languages, to explore the legends, origins, migration and expansion, and to find answers to the question of the symbiosis between human beings and the nature through art.

In response to the theme, the two curators each proposed exhibition subtitles, “Becoming Spiritual” and “Why We Are Us”. The inaugural Triennial brings together a total of 25 artists to be showcased in the Octagonal Special Display Hall, Artifact Display Room, and Lifestyle Exhibition Hall, presenting a series of paintings, prints, sculptures, videos and mixed-media installations. Among the above, the artworks that have recently represented Taiwan in major international exhibitions, including the Biennale of Sydney and documenta in Kassel, are also presented for the first time in Taiwan.

Curated by Nakaw Putun, this sub-theme, “Becoming Spiritual”, explores the beliefs of the indigenous peoples in animism and what it means to be spiritual, and reflects on how human beings can draw on the wisdom of the indigenous peoples to realize a sustainable future. Highlight artists in this Section in include:

Exhibited at the Biennale of Sydney 2022, Aluaiy Kaumakan’s Cevulj, Path of a Family is a part of her Rubbings series. Aluaiy began the series in 2014 after returning to the old site of the Paridrayan tribe, which she had left after Typhoon Morakot (August 2009). Combining rubbings and weaving, the work serves as a witness to existence, pointing the way home for people and their souls.

Exhibited at documenta 2022, Rawus Tjuljaviya’s Snail Paradise Trilogy: Setting Sail or Final Chapter looks into the great exchange of species caused by human travel. Through exploring the route of the African snail invasion, the artist transformed her study of colonialism into paintings on Perspex and embroidered documentations.

New Zealand artist Lisa Reihana’s Nomads of the Sea not only examines the European narrative of colonial history in the Pacific, but also rethinks the traditional culture and gender values ​​of the Maori people.

Selected to participate in the upcoming Biennale of Sydney 2024, Idas Losin responds to the Tahitian women often seen in Paul Gauguin’s paintings with portraits of indigenous Taiwanese men, exploring a perspective different from that of the West.

Curated by Etan Pavavalung, the sub-theme “Why We Are Us” is centered on Austronesian rituals of life, myths, languages, cultures, motifs, eco-philosophies and stories of migration, with the aim of spurring dialogue, to understand common historical memory and to convey the relationship of mankind and nature. Highlight artists in this Section in include:

Viewers are greeted by I Made Sukariawan’s large-scale work Barong. Entering the exhibition space through the mouth of the Barong lion, visitors open the Indonesian Balinese style wooden door, which symbolizes entering the artistic realm of the artisan family.

Milay Mavaliw’s “Dalan” series of installation and paintings features intertwined, woven hemp-colored materials that are suspended from above and cascade down to scatter across the floor. This visual metaphor establishes connections between islands, symbolizing the millennia-long historical ties of the Austronesian people.

Ljaljeqelan Patadalj and Sutipau Tjaruzaljum employ video, hand-weaving, and mixed media in their installation to delve into topics of migration and return. They seek pathways for reclaiming the identity of the new generation.

Chee Wai Loong’s dynamic mechanical installation Homesick uses the lighthouse as a symbolic image. The artist situates a traditional Malaysian stage house in the center of the sea, its rooftop adorned by a Malaysian kite. Through the drifting forms, the sound waves, and the play of light and shadow, the artist hopes to facilitate a destined reunion between the ancestors and the “us” of today.

Co-curators: Nakaw Putun, Etan Pavavalung

Participating artists: Chee Wai Loong (Malaysia), I Made Sukariawan (Indonesia), Lisa Reihana (New Zealand), Aluaiy Kaumakan, Ali Istanda, Anguc Makaunamun, Chen Shu-ye, Ciwas Tahos, Dondon Hounwn, Iyo Kacaw, Idas Losin, Kulele Ruladen, Ljailjai Tult, Labay Eyong, Lafin Sawmah, Ljaljeqelan Patadalj, Milay Mavaliw, Rawus Tjuljaviya, Reretan Pavavaljungi, Sya man Misrako, Siyat Moses, Sutipau Tjaruzaljum, Tuwak Tuyaw, Tanivu Tapari, Yuma Taru