Taichung City Da Dun Fine Arts Exchange Exhibition 2022
Taichung City founded the Da Dun Fine Arts Exchange Exhibition in 1996 with the main objective of providing a platform for artists to learn and gain inspiration from each other. Initially, the exhibition was restricted to the creations of Taichung artists and acted more as a showcase for local art. However, in 1999, the event was expanded to host artworks from all around Taiwan. In 2002, the exhibition reached even further and began asking foreign-based artists to submit their works. It was at this point that it stepped onto the world stage to become one of Taiwan’s most significant international art exhibitions. Dedicated to the core principles of encouraging creativity, cultivating artists, and promoting cultural exchanges, hard work over the past 27 years has started to pay off, to the point where between 1,000 and 2,000 applications from around the world are now received annually for this outstanding event. As a result, the Da Dun Fine Arts Exchange Exhibition has been bringing diversity to Taichung’s local culture.
There are a total of 11 categories in the Da Dun Fine Arts Exchange Exhibition: ink wash painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, glue color painting, oil painting, watercolor painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, crafts, and digital arts. After the first and second judging rounds, judges select the top three prizes, Awards of Merit, and Short-Listed works. From among the first-prize winners in each of the 11 categories, 5 are chosen to receive the Da Dun Prize, and to be collected by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taichung City Government. All the 11 first-prize winners receive a cash prize of NT$120,000 (THB $145,000). The 5 Da Dun Prize winners also receive an additional cash prize of NT$120,000 (THB $14,5000), making a total of NT$240,000 (THB $290,000) for each of the 5 Da Dun Prize winners. Each year, the Da Dun Fine Arts Exchange Exhibition gives out a total of THB $4,665,000 to winners, which is by far the highest prize pool available among any similar competitions in Taiwan. For 27 years, the exhibition has encouraged Taiwanese artists to create, solicited global participation and promoted artistic exchanges. Through these efforts the number and origins of participants in the Da Dun Fine Arts Exchange Exhibition have expanded significantly. This phenomenon is clearly an indication of the wide recognition that it now enjoys. The exhibition revels in the successes of artists from many different parts of the world as their creativity and energy are showcased in this world-class art feast.
Venue: RCB Galleria 1 on 2nd floor
Free Admission
A Brief Introduction of Taichung City
The Taiwanese city, Taichung, has a reputation for enjoying year-round sunshine and a very pleasant climate. With its central Taiwan location, it has long played an important role in the nation’s culture, politics, economy and transportation, and acted as a key hub for a variety of development in Taiwan. It covers about 2,215 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 2.79 million, Taichung is the second-largest municipality in terms of area and population hitherto in Taiwan.
Bordered by mountains and the sea, Taichung offers both urban and rural settings. Although the city’s fundamental infrastructure is already well-established. Taichung has the potential to become a truly international city, thanks to its industries and the profits generated by them, which provide the city with a solid economical foundation. At the same time, the city’s diverse cultural assets include numerous, well-preserved historic sites and structures that add significant cultural value. Large numbers of professionals in a variety of fields such as literature, performing arts, fine arts and crafts have also gathered in the city to contribute in their areas of expertise.
In addition to both its prosperous “software” and “hardware”, Taichung is doing its utmost to promote cultural activities like the Dragon Boat Festival (Poets Festival), Literacy Prizes, the Performing Arts Golden Award, and Da Dun Fine Arts Exchange Exhibition, earning it an excellent reputation among local and international artists. Moreover, the most popular cultural event in Taiwan—the annual Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage—stands as a local Taiwanese cultural asset and was selected as one of the world’s top three most important religious events by Discovery Channel. All of these attributes have given Taichung international attention as the “heart of Taiwan” and a global rising star.
With its diverse culture and natural settings, plus limitless, creative possibilities, Taichung has developed a unique, multifaceted and cosmopolitan image and has produced its own prosperous modern style. Its residents have also cultivated a broad appreciation for beauty while presenting cultural, international characteristics to the world. Additionally, the combination of a global perspective and broad tolerance has made culture and creativity a defining city trademark and marketing focus. Taichung is the finest example of a LOHAS or Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability city, overflowing with energy, charm and vitality as it continues to flourish. Most importantly, Taichung welcomes all foreign visitors to experience its charm first-hand.
