48 DEPARTURES CULTURE
48 DEPARTURES CULTURE TAIWAN TODAY CULTURE A view from Rem Koolhaas’s Taipei Performing Arts Center – with its eye-catching spherical playhouse Ready to Shine Big names, big-ticket openings and big talent: Taiwan is emerging as one of the world’s most interesting cultural destinations. by Peifen Sung BOO-HIM LO
FROM TOP: COURTESY TAIPEI DANGDAI, CHRIS STOWERS IN AUGUST, Taiwan found itself in the international limelight, thanks to a visit by US politician Nancy Pelosi and the geopolitical murmurings that ensued. The tension – Taiwan’s relationship with China – is poised to be relevant for years to come, an evolving, nuanced state of affairs that will affect a range of global sectors, including – to the surprise of some – the art world. The battle for the art capital of east Asia has been raging for the past decade, as Singapore and Hong Kong repeatedly one-upped each other, and Seoul jockeyed for a place at the table. Hong Kong has recently lost a bit of lustre – only time will tell if that’s temporary – and another contender, Taiwan, is stepping out from the shadows to make its case. The island’s newfound prominence on the global art scene is no surprise to locals. The art market here is strong, with longtime collectors playing a major role across the region since the 1970s. In fact, according to this year’s UBS Art Market Report, 53% of Taiwanese collectors have been collecting for more than 10 years, surpassing those in Hong Kong and mainland China. Some Taiwanese Above: Robin Peckham co-director of contemporary art fair Taipei Dangdai; below: the Taipei Performing Arts Center 49 DEPARTURES
