In a contrast to his previous work, "Trilogy of Color," Chi Kuo-chang's new series, entitled "Hakka Images," focuses on Hakka culture. Using the scene itself as his brush and film as his canvas, Chi has captured a range of moments of truly touching beauty: the glorious red of Peipu's persimmons, the stateliness of the Three Mountain Kings, the heartfelt emotion of the Ceremony of the Yimin Militiamen, scenes of various Hakka towns and villages.... These sights have become fantastic artistic images, challenging the common impression that photography should be more documentary than artistic, and creating a series of images that reflect the unique character of the Hakka people.
Chi, himself of Hakka heritage, has brought to this collection a combination of love for his culture and an international perspective, and has imbued these photos with a keen sense of love for his subjects. The pieces call to the viewer, challenging their preconceptions, and evoking a real empathy for the subjects of the photographs.
Hakka Images-Chi Kuo-chang Photo Exhibition On exhibition: December 1, 2004-May 31, 2005 Location: Hakka Art and Culture Center, Taipei City Phone: (02) 2757-4503
"A faithful heart makes wishes come true." The sincere devotion of the commemorations at the Yimin Temple, with unique scenes on all sides, is enough to move one to tears.
Watching over the people and protecting the village, the spirits oif the Yimin militiamen are central to the faith of the Hakka people, and it is to them they entrust their spiritual well-being.
The dried persimmons of Peipu, in Hsinchu, are traditionally hand prepared, and have been part of the livelihood of the local Hakka people for nearly a century. Around November each year, the area is aburst with glorious red persimmons, drawing visitors from within and without Taiwan, and making the area one of Taiwan's most unique tourist attractions.
Hakka local gods play a major part in residents' lives. Many Hakka villages still carry on the tradition of offering the local god food. The people participating in the ceremony all prepare the goods together, and after the ceremony hold a huge banquet to thank the god and bring together the residents.
The children of the Hakka village of Tunghsiao in Miaoli create vibrant, colorful works on the outer walls of their school with unrestrained glee.
the Hakka village and lifestyle, but also demonstrate ethnic harmony and the effort to preserve culture in Taiwan.
The 2004 Taipei Yimin Militiamen Festival, held at the Taipei City Hall, brought together the festivals from nine places across Taiwan for the first time, attracting Hakka people from all corners to join together for the celebrations. This picture shows the "Creative Divine Boar," symbol of respect for and protection of life, that the Taipei City Council for Hakka Affairs have worked so hard on for the past two years.
Ordinary urns of preserved vegetables sit on shelves, creating a nostalgic image , and, through the photographer's lens, transforming from the ordinary into the fantastic.
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