The Beginning: The End of the Road (part 2)

I left off with our travel to Chiayi after tea time with some snacks that most Westerners have never heard of and might think a bit bizarre.  Tea time was only the beginning, definitely the appetizer of sorts, to the huge feasts that would happen over the next couple of days.  The celebrations of Chinese New Year was emphasized every morning with early fireworks (and I mean before 6AM early) and exclamation marked by feasts every noon and night, that compare in grander to Thanksgiving (and I mean a John Madden Turduckin-Thanksgiving).

I had the pleasure to witness many traditions which are by far much more elaborate and intimate than what I'm used to experiencing.  Que: my cousin at the table saying Grace, "Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub, Amen."
Offerings are laid out before this land-god shrine and incense is burned.  During this time, individuals come and go, bowing and paying respects in between coffee, bat-mitten, scooter rides and more fireworks.  Sometimes, they will even burn fake money as gifts to their ancestors.

During our tour of the grounds, Wen-Hung stops at the old pig stalls.  Being a ceramics artist, himself, along with the Director of Education Programs at the Ceramics Museum, including the Art Residencies, he ponders out loud his thoughts on turning these stalls into his own giant ceramics studio, and creating live-in artist accommodations next-door to allow his own residencies.   A workspace, changing inspiration and the freshest food, everyday and all at home.  "Maybe someday."

 

A Night of Two Celebrations


When we watched them unload the BBQ grills for the night's dinner, I kind of laughed to myself.  "How are they going to feed all of these people on grills that are so small?? My parent's grill is larger than both of these grills together, and we just cook for three!"
 

The secret is to serve dinner for hours.  Something we were not prepared for, and saddened by the fact that we ate ourselves full within the first couple rounds of food.  Food of all kinds!  Salty and sweet are the main types of dishes in Taiwan, but the substance within varies so greatly, that I could never remember what each one was called. This was not helped by the fact that most of the vegetation we ate didn't even have a name in the English language.  The BBQ below is pretty self explanatory.  Pork, salmon, shrimp, pigeon eggs, clams, fish heads, fish balls,  squid balls, squid head, and much much more were on the menu that night. To save myself and Wen-Hung all the effort in naming each dish later on in blog posts, I will just let the photos or captions give you the details.

One of my all time Taiwanese favorites - pork on a stick that tastes like it's been honey glazed

 Another tradition practiced, is that the younger generation is given money in red envelopes.  This custom can cause some confusion to the very young, who have not yet gotten the concept.  

The Second celebration was Alexis' birthday.  Another testament of the family's good nature and hospitality was the fact that after only a night, they were willing to put their own celebrations on hold and celebrate a foreigner's birthday with not only a cake provided by Tanner, but singing "Happy Birthday" in Chinese and English.  Of course, the little ones might have had a strong influence on the choice. 

The Party Really Begins

A fun lesson in culture differences:  

In the U.S., there is an unspoken rule that if you do not finish your drink that the host has poured, you either do not enjoy it or you cannot handle your booze. It is up to the host to interpret whether you want more, need more, are satisfied, or are cut off.  Either way, it is usually the host's responsibility to pour or not to pour. It is also an unspoken custom to shoot a drink that is poured in a shot glass.  

In Taiwan, there is a rule (I'm not sure how spoken it is), that if a guest has an empty glass, you fill it up.  Simple as that. It is the guest's responsibility to let the host know when he is done by leaving the glass full.  There shall be no empty glasses at the table.  It is also normal to just take a sip from your shot glass after much clanking and a hardy "cheers!" 

We did not realize these culture differences until two hangovers and many karaoke songs later.  

One aspect that I've always been disappointed in, regarding my United States culture, is the fact that singing and music plays a small part in tradition.  Yes, there are some key instinces that some people will prove me wrong, but those instances aren't often, and are usually tied to strong formal occasions or religious circumstances. I've been very lucky in my life to have extremely talented musicians as friends and they always add their audio wonders at times of casual celebration, but there is a difference between a culture's music and an individual's expression.  It's not often in the U.S. you will see people at a bar break into song with people they've just met.  During this night, music played a key role in connecting family with history, children with adults and foriegners with locals. Tanner had learned how to play a Japanese song on a flute he traded art work for, from a local artist.  While playing it, the grandfather, who grew up during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, recognized it and began singing it back to Tanner.  Something happened at that point. There unfolded the bridge across differences.  We seemed to no longer be just smiling, goofy faces, imposing on dinner but people who they could relate to, more deeply.  Easier to connect with.  Able to share with the family, not just take.  

Rock to Pots

Although not my best work, some friends have been pressuring me to put out more video - specifically using my new GoPro.  Dealing with the fog that heat from my body creates within the casing, and a small case of nausea, I did a quick edit to make it reasonably shorter.

My bike ride from Yingge Rock to the Yingge Museum of Ceramics on a beautiful day on the last day of Chinese New Years.  The music was recorded outside of a nearby temple (pardon the fireworks towards the end) and for the high quality version, check it out on my Vimeo page:  http://vimeo.com/36345644

Enjoy


 

I know I said my next blog post would be part2 (of many) of my stay with Wen-Hung and his family of great cooks, but I got a bit distracted with all the adventures I'm trying to squeeze into my month in Taiwan.  It's funny how even a month is just not enough time to really experience a place, even when you're lucky enough to get a crash course of tradition and history during their 10 days of celebrating  Chinese New Years.  

Fireworks, hot springs, beautiful hikes, good surfing, cultural hospitality, eccentric and tasty food ... all of it has created a determination in me to return later, since my landing visa is almost up (30 days for Americans). I've begun looking into different ways to make that happen and so far, my best bet looks like the Taiwanese government scholarship to learn Chinese where they give worthy candidates a stipend of 25,000NT ($800US) a month.  Considering that I'll be departing Taiwan next week with only spending 600 dollars for a whole month of living and travel, it's not such a shabby offer.  Especially since teaching English can really help put some extra cash in your pocket.  

Coming around full circle, that's my excuse for jumping blog posts.  Look for The End of the Road part2 soon.   

In the mean time, I wanted to share a couple of night shots from the past couple of days.  Below is a shot from our rooftop of one of the many colorful explosions that litter the sky every night.  The superstition is that fireworks scare away evil spirits intent on eating you (*Taiwanese friends: Please feel free to correct/expand on my understandings of traditions)  

The second shot is of our own, blooming contributions to the Flora of the sky.    

   

Searching...

Stemming from travel and all the inspiration and excitement that come from displacement, and the stories and accomplishments of Tanner Coleman and Alexis Gregg during their work, I've begun researching Artist in Residencies Programs.

Specifically, I've been looking into programs involving the National Parks of the world, to help continue my studies and creations of my dreamscapes, using different land and plant-scapes.

Here is a large list of National Park Programs within the United States:

Acadia National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, composers
Application deadline: November 1 to January 1 (received)
Residency period: May, early June, September, October
Number & length of residencies: Five to six of three weeks each
For More Information, including application:http://www.nps.gov/acad/supportyourpark/artistinresidence.htm

Badlands National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers
Application Deadline: For Fall residency - June 15 (received); for Spring residency - December 15 (received)
Residency period: (Fall) mid-September to October; (Spring) March to mid-May
Number & length of residencies: Two of four to six weeks each
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/badl/supportyourpark/air.htm

Buffalo National River

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers
Application deadline: January 31 (postmarked)
Residency period: March - November
Number & length of residencies: Four of up to three weeks each.
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/buff/supportyourpark/air-application.htm

Cape Cod National Seashore

This national seashore hosts two individual residency programs.
C-Scape Dune Shack
Residencies open to: Two dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers
Application deadline: February 15, (postmarked)
Residency period: Year-round
Number & length of residencies: Number varies, from one week to up to three months each
Contact: Tom Boland, Residency Coordinator, at tomboland@mediaone.net
For additional information, write: Provincetown Community Compact, Inc., PO Box 819, Provincetown, Massachusetts USA 02657 (Include a 52-cent stamped self-addressed envelope)

The Margo-Gelb Shack
Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, writers, video/filmmakers
Application deadline: February 1(received)
Residency period: Mid-May through mid-October
Number & length of residencies: Six of two weeks each
Contact: Send a 52-cent self-addressed stamped envelope to OCARC, 22 Nelson Avenue, Provincetown, Massachusetts USA 02657

Crater Lake National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, painters, dancers, cinematictographers, musicians, writers, composers, and other visual and performing artists.
Application deadline: TBA
Residency period: June - October
Number & length of residencies: Two artists; up to two weeks residency.
For more information, including application: http://www.nps.gov/crla/air.htm

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers, craft artists
Application deadline: (Spring) December 15; (Summer) February 16
Residency period: (Spring) March through May; (Summer) June through September
Number & length of residencies: Two of six to eight weeks each
Contact: Mary Pat Doorley, Cultural Arts Program Manager, at 440-546-5995 CST, ormary_pat_doorley@nps.gov or Joni Starr, Summer Camp & Arts Director, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, 330-657-2796 ext. 114 or jstarr@cvnpa.org
For additional information, call 800-642-3297 or write: CVEEC Artist-In-Residence Program, 3675 Oak Hill Road, Peninsula, Ohio USA 44264

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Peters Valley Craft Education Center
Residencies open to: Craft artists
Application deadline: Varies - call for information
Residency period: Year-round
Number & length of residencies: Varies - call for information
Contact: Peters Valley at 973-948-5200 EST or pv@warwick.net
For additional information, write: Peters Valley Craft Education Center, 19 Kuhn Road, Layton, New Jersey USA 07851

Denali National Park and Preserve

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, sculptors
Application deadline: October 31 (postmarked)
Application Form: Download the application form at arts.alaskageographic.org
Residency period: June through August
Number & length of residencies: up to three - 10 days each
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm

Devils Tower National Monument

Residencies open to: Writers
Application deadline: April 1 (postmarked)
Residency period: Fall
Number & length of residencies: Two of one week each
Contact: Christine Czazasty at 307-467-5283, ext. 224, MST or christine_czazasty@nps.gov
For additional information, write: Writers-In-Residence Program, Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, Montana, USA 82714 or Bearlodge Writers, PO Box 10, Devils Tower, Wyoming USA 82714

Everglades National Park

Residencies open to: Visual Artists, photographers, sculptors, writers, filmmakers, and composers.
Application deadline: October 1
Residency period: Year-round
Number & length of residencies: Six residents, two-four weeks each
Contact: AIRIE Program Coordinator, 305-242-7750 EST or EVER_Interpretation@nps.gov
For additional information, write: Artist-In-Residence-In-Everglades, Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034. AIRIE applications are available on-line at:http://www.nps.gov/ever/supportyourpark/artistinresidence.htm

Glacier National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, writers, video/filmmakers, composers
Application deadline: February 15
Residency period: Summer
Number & length of residencies: Number varies, four weeks each
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/glac/supportyourpark/air.htm

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Headlands Center for the Arts
Residencies open to: California, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Ohio two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers (Each state has individual eligibility requirements)
Application deadline: First Friday in June
Residency period: Febraury through November
Number & length of residencies: Thirty of one-eleven months each
Contact: Holly Blake at 415-331-2787, ext. 24, PST or hblake@headlands.org
For additional information, write: Holly Blake, Residency Manager, Headlands Center for the Arts, 944 Fort Barry, Sausalito, California USA 94965

Grand Canyon National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performing artists, writers, musicians/composers
Application deadline: TBA
Residency period: Three week periods
Number & length of residencies: Five (5) residencies; first begining in Spetember, 2007, the remaining four (4) from Spring 2008-August 2008.
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/grca/supportyourpark/air.htm

Herbert Hoover National Historical Site
Residencies open to: Writers, composers, and all visual and performing artists
Application deadline: February-March
Residency period: May through September.
Number & length of residencies: Two (2) of two to four weeks each
Please note: Housing may not be readily available for upcoming resident artists.
Contact: Adam Prato at 319-643-7855 CST
For additional information: http://www.nps.gov/heho/supportyourpark/air-for-artists.htm

Homestead National Monument of America
Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers.
Application deadline: June 15 (postmarked)
Residency period: July - September
Number & length of residencies: Depending on type and number of applicants, residences can range in length from 2 weeks to three months.
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/home/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence-program.htm

Hot Springs National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, craft artists, video/filmakers, performers, writers, poets, and composers.
Application deadline: February 1
Residency period: Call or write for details
Number & length of residencies: Several of two to four weeks each
Contact: Jeff Heitzman at 501-620-6707 or HOSP_Interpretation@nps.gov
For additional information, write: Artist-In-Residence Program, attn: Volunteer Coordinator, Hot Springs National Park, 101 Reserve Street, Hot Springs, AR USA 71901

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Residencies open to: Artist/Illustrator that can create line art for publications in 2008
Application deadline: March 1 (postmarked)
Residency period: 2 - 4 weeks; June through August
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/indu/supportyourpark/air.htm

Isle Royale National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers
Application deadline: Febrary 16 (postmarked)
Residency period: June through early September
Number & length of residencies: Five two to three weeks each
For more information: Download this park PDF application.

Joshua Tree National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, writers, video/filmmakers
Application deadline: Accepted year-round
Residency period: October through May
Number & length of residencies: Four to six of four weeks each
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/supportyourpark/air.htm

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Residencies open to: Traditional sculptors working in stone, stone carving instructors
Application deadline: For Summer residency watch for announcement on www.usajobs.opm.gov; between December and early February; Fall residency submit resume postmarked May 1
Residency period: Late May through early October
Number & length of residencies: Two total; Summer residency is 12-16 weeks (paid), Fall residency is one week (unpaid)
Contact: Rhonda Schier at 605-574-3182 MST or rhonda_schier@nps.gov
For additional information, write: Artist-In-Residence Program, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 13000 Hwy. 244, Bldg. 31, Suite 1, Keystone, South Dakota USA 57751

North Cascades National Park

Residencies open to: Practicing artists with a portfolio of published, performed, or exhibited works. Applications are accepted from visual artists, writers, musicians, and other creative individuals.
Application deadline: February 1 for spring residencies and July 1 for fall residencies.
Residency period: April/May and September/October.
Number & length of residencies: Two residencies of 4-6 weeks each in two separate areas of the park, for a total of four annual residencies.
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/noca/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence.htm
Contact: Charles Beall at 360-856-5700 x.365, charles_beall@nps.gov, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Petrified Forest National Park

Residencies open to: Two & Three dimensional visual artists, photographers, painters, writers, sculptors,poets
Application deadline: March 15 (postmarked)
Residency period: May thru October
Number & Length of residencies: Number varies, each residence up to three weeks
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/pefo/parknews/artist-in-residence.htm
Contact: Scott Williams, Museum Curator at 928-524-6228 MST or scott_williams@nps.gov

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers
Application deadline: December 31 (postmarked)
Residency period: September or October
Number & length of residencies: One of four weeks
Contact: Gregg Bruff at 906-387-2607 EST or gregg_bruff@nps.gov
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/piro/supportyourpark/artistresidence.htm

Rocky Mountain National Park
Residencies open to: Professional Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers
Application deadline: TBA
Residency period: Early June through late September
Number & length of residencies: Five to eight of two weeks each
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/romo/supportyourpark/artist_in_residence.htm
Contact: Artist-In-Residence Coordinator at 970-586-1206 MST

Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site

Residencies open to: Sculptors
Application deadline: Varies, call for information
Residency period: June through October
Number & length of residencies: One of 12 to 24 weeks
Contact: Gregory Schwarz at 603-675-2175, ext. 107, EST or gregory_c_schwarz@nps.gov
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/saga/historyculture/artist-in-residence-programs.htm

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors, writers, composers
Application deadline: April 15 (postmarked)
Residency period: September - October
Number & length of residencies: Two of three weeks each
Contact: Lisa Myers at 231-326-5134 or lisa_myers@nps.gov
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/slbe/parkmgmt/artistinresidence.htm

Weir Farm National Historic Site

Residencies open to: Visual artists (including printmakers & painters), photographers, sculptors, video/filmmakers
Application deadline: January 15, July 15 (postmarked)
Residency period: Year-round
Number & length of residencies: One or two artists at a time for residencies of two to four weeks.
Contact: Constance Evans or Amy Allen at 203-761-9945 EST
For more information: http://www.nps.gov/wefa/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence-program.htm

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Residencies open to: Check with park.
Application deadline: February
Residency period: March - October
Number & length of residencies: Two to four artists; one to four weeks.
Contact: Whiskeytown.Art@gmail.com
For additional information, write: AIR Coordinator, P.O. Box 188, Whiskeytown, CA 96095

Yosemite National Park

Residencies open to: Two-dimensional visual artists, photographers, sculptors
Application deadline: July 15 (received)
Residency period: Year-round
Number & length of residencies: Four to ten of up to one month each
For more information: http://www.yosemiterenaissance.org/artists-in-residence.html