Chenglong Wetland Tlaltikpak Toltekayotl Ilhuitl

Press Kit

Unique Properties

In Chenglong Village, over-extraction of groundwater has resulted in land subsidence and seawater intrusion in farmlands. The government brought public attention to environmental issues through environmental art and artistic activities, thus boosting the local economy and turning the place into a sustainable art village with “ecological conservation and artistic and cultural roots”.

Dimensions & Packaging

The Chenglong Wetland covers a total area of about 171 hectares. The government and the cultural team have invited artists from home and abroad to create environmental artworks together with the residents through an art initiative, creating the largest environmental art gallery in Taiwan.

Production Technology

The government combined the environment and art to raise attention toward environmental issues and create a sustainable art village with “ecological conservation and artistic and cultural roots”.

1. International Exchange:In 2010, the government invited artists from around the world to move in, use local natural resources, and create installation art pieces jointly with local residents.
2.Holding Art Seasons:Exhibitions of environmental art were held regularly from 2010.
3.Transformation of Art Festival:A Flowing Feast of Art was held in 2022 to move performance arts out of the theater and into the natural environment.
The eco-dining table event presented dishes made from local seasonal ingredients.
4. Eco-Dining Table:Specialized food and drink made from local seasonal ingredients.

Design Challenge

1.The constant over-extraction of groundwater and the extreme climate in Chenglong Village has resulted in land subsidence and seawater intrusion, flooding 60% of the farmlands and forming a wetland.
2.The population has dropped by 40% from 1,600 in 1986 due to the loss of industries, leaving only about 500 people, of whom more than 40% are elderly.
3.The government uses environmental art as a tool for wetland protection and local culture promotion, responding to environmental issues through artistic interpretation, thereby connecting with the international community and revitalizing local culture and local vitality.

Research

The Chenglong Wetland demonstrates local participation in public affairs. Residents and international artists collaborate to create environmentally friendly installation art from local materials. The art festival and eco-dining table have opened up new possibilities for local industries. Over the past ten years, the government has worked hard to build up residents' sense of identity toward their hometown and their confidence in it to draw attention to environmental issues, show the influence of creativity and environmental education, and promote sustainable development.

Inspiration

The Chenglong Wetland is located on the coast of Taiwan, where the over-extraction of groundwater has resulted in land subsidence and seawater intrusion on farmlands. The village has lost its vitality due to massive rural flight, aging, and economic recession.

In 2010, the government launched an environmental art project and invited artists from around the world to move in, use the local natural resources, and create environmental installation art pieces jointly with the local residents. A Flowing Feast of Arts, which was held in 2022, moved performance arts out of the theater and into the natural environment, where the vitality of Chenglong Wetland was manifested. The eco-dining table event promoted the local industry with dishes made from seasonal local ingredients.

The two-day event attracted 5,000 participants and generated a tourism economy worth NT$2,500,000 despite the tourism downturn caused by the pandemic. The combination of ecology and art brought public attention to environmental issues, brought new hope to the Chenglong Wetland, created a local economic boost, and became a sustainable art village with “ecological conservation and artistic and cultural roots”.

Project Duration

Launched on September 2022 in Taiwan Yunlin

Operation Flow

Purpose: Artistic action to revitalize the wetland into a sustainable art village.
Method: To create a theater-style art event through artistic action, environmental art, and performance art.
Results: Environmental and artistic symbiosis, greater environmental awareness, and economic boost.