en’ den’．Blue Ring Sling
YANG Fang-yi, LAI Kuei-chun, LIN Chun-tso
The blue-shirt (lan sam’) is specifically designed by Hakkas to work in their environment, and is solely adorned with totems on the “crisscross”, an embroidered trim edge framing the lapel. Taking inspiration from this design, the artist invited her own parents as well as parents and children across Hong Kong and Taiwan to respond to the leitmotif “en’ den’”* – an interactive relationship that is paradoxical but full of love.
The work carries on wonderfully Hakka appreciation for things, using recyclable materials to compare and contrast across two generations. Silent conversations and voiced memories are woven into an old house. The blue-shirt sash links up the differences between the two generations and channels an intergenerational collaborative power.
* en’ den’ means “we” in Hakka language
Artist’s Biography
YANG Fang-yi is a native of Miaoli, Taiwan with a master’s degree in arts management from Anglia Ruskin University. Her dual Minnan and Hakka lineage fuels her passion in researching interdisciplinary roles and behaviour. Through heterogeneous weaving and regenerative creation, she explores ways to redefine waste and obsolescence in our paradoxical modernity.
As an artist and educator, Yang is the founder of “Give to Gift” and “NO!W Across Lab” and organises mass campaigns for zero waste. She realises possibilities in individual responsibility and collective collaboration within the framework of contemporary community influence underscored by changes in the physical environment.
Yang’s Hakka mother, LAI Kuei-chun, and another Hakka creator LIN Chun-tso were invited to co-create this intergenerational artwork.
LAI Kuei-chun
Lai Kuei-chun is a native Hakka of Miaoli Gongguan, Taiwan, who was born in poverty. Since she was always sick during childhood, she was sent for adoption. By studying and taking up part-time jobs at the same time, Lai finally finished her business degree. In the last year of school, Lai met her husband from Pingtung at the part-time job company. She married at the age of 24 and became the daughter-in-law in the Minnan family. She learnt to do all kinds of housework, such as sewing, cooking and ikebana, to raise three children.
In order to share the household burden, Lai joined the insurance industry, transforming her into a strong and cheerful career woman. However, she barely managed life between family and work, let alone her own interests.
Lai finally enjoys her fruitful retirement life after her children have grown. She is learning liuqin, drawing and writing calligraphy. Of course she is always ready to help her daughter, Yang Fang-yi, overcoming the creation bottleneck.
LIN Chun-tso
Lin Chun-tso is a native Hakkas of Pingtung Chengde, Taiwan, who studied electronic and computer engineering at University. Lin has formed an indissoluble bond with wires, from the first time he picked up the needle-nose plier. He has cooperated with the NO!W Across Lab at Luoshanfeng Arts Festival, Pretty Woogo, Hopeful Garden and the Wanchin Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, to create various exhibition installations. Also, Lin was invited to teach in workshops for the Fangliao Railway Art Village, Society for Houwan’s Culture and Nature Conservancy, Global Palace English School, Ulaljuc Tribe Community Care Stations, secondary and primary schools in Pingtung.
Lin founded ‘Wire Reel’ in 2013, aiming to restore old objects, promote ecological sustainability and participate in local activities by rolling wires.
Material
Cotton cloth, recycling cloth, recycling plastic bags, aluminium wire, wool, twine
Size
Entrance: 6.1m (W) x 4m (H)
Interior: 5.4m (L) x 2.5m (W) x 2.3m (H)
Exterior: 0.9m (W) x 3.4m (H)
