Jane Ingram Allen

Taiwan Artist-in-Residency
"Made In Taiwan"

Jane received a Fulbright Scholar Award for an artist in residency research grant project in Taiwan.  Her grant project began in January 2004 and was extended through July 2005 with sponsorship from the Taiwan National Endowment for Culture and Arts.  During her time in Taiwan, Jane is doing research about hand papermaking and making her art with plant materials and other materials all collected in Taiwan.  Her "Made in Taiwan" residency project involves making "site maps" of Taiwan focused on her experience of a particular time and place.  During the residency Jane plans to visit many parts of Taiwan and work with local participants and local materials to continue making her "site maps."   She will exhibt her artwork in each place and share her process.  At the end of the residency in Taiwan, plans are to have a large exhibition of the entire project and its documentation. 

EXHIBITIONS IN TAIWAN, JANUARY - JULY 2004

"Made in Taiwan - Taiwan Site Maps" at Suho Memorial Paper Museum, Taipei, Taiwan, April 22-July 31 2004
Grand opening - April 22, 2004 (Earth Day),

This installation art exhibition featured many map images of Taiwan that Jane constructed using her handmade paper made from over 25 different plant materials collected in Taiwan. The works also include other materials from nature and manmade sources collected in Taiwan and reflecting this time and this place. Jane created a site-specific installation with her works hanging from the ceiling in the Museum’s 2nd floor space to create an environment for viewers to travel through and experience the beauty of Taiwan. The maps all appear as leaves on one side, and the viewers also experience changing views of leaves from various plants of Taiwan. The exhibition also includes documentation with photographs showing Jane’s outdoor installation “Blue River Project.� The outdoor installation changes over time with Nature, and the photos will also change to show the viewers how this installation develops.

OUTDOOR EXHIBITION, "Blue River," Treasure Hill Community, Taipei, Taiwan, April 22 - July 31, 2004

Jane created a large scale participatory public art installation in Taiwan as part of her residency project at the Suho Museum. This outdoor installation is at Treasure Hill, an alternative urban community of artists and activists located near National Taiwan University and the Hsientein River priligy canada. The installation is in the form of a living river placed in the landscape that will change over time. Jane led the participants of all ages along with the help of Suho Foundation staff and volunteers in a participatory installation art workshop to create the artwork on Sunday, April 18, in celebration of Earth Day. Jane led participants in pouring a river of blue pulp on the earth. Native wild flower seeds to produce blue flowers over time were placed in the biodegradable dyed pulp made from Taiwanese plant fibers and recycled paper. This work invokes a new idea about the environment by using nature as a partner to create the artwork instead of vainly trying to make something that lasts forever in the same form. The seeds will get nourishment from the pulp as it dissolves over time, and the seeds will sprout and grow to turn into a blue river of blooming flowers that will also provide habitat for birds and butterflies.

Update on the "Blue River" Project - July 2004:

The paper pulp has all disappeared and been absorbed into the earth. The flowers are budding and beginning to bloom. The grass around the "river " has also grown, and the line of the river is becoming less clear.

The city maintenance workers cut the grass at Treasure Hill. Unfortunately they did not know about the "Blue River" project and just cut everything! So, there will probably be very few blue flowers that will survive. Change is something that is always unpredictable; both nature and man can make these changes. The "Blue River" project may have disappeared from view, but the idea will live.

EXHIBITION, “Taipei Site Maps,� American Cultural Center, Taipei, Taiwan, June 3-18, 2004

Jane also made an installation art exhibition at the American Cultural Center in Taipei. The "Taipei Site Maps" are an extension of her “Made in Taiwan" project featuringg many maps of different parts of Taipei. Jane has spent most of her time in the Taipei area during the first six months in Taiwan. This installation is inspired by the plants of Taiwan and the experience of living in Taipei City. Jane used some of the many different metal manhole covers with embossed patterns found in the city streets to make castings with her handmade paper for the Taipei Site Maps. The work also includes other materials collected in the Taipei area and uses recycled paper and low polluting materials to emphasize environmental concerns and the hope for a clean and healthy urban environment.

This page was last updated on September 28, 2004.