From December 23–31, 2022, the Taipei Tech Arts and Cultural Center hosted an exhibition of graduation projects by the Department of Cultural Vocation Development graduates. Titled “Hello, This is the Island Speaking,” the exhibition featured thirty unique artworks that reflected the graduates’ perspectives on local history and cultural issues. The exhibition then moved to Nishi Honganji Square from January 5–15, 2023, offering a broader audience the opportunity to appreciate the graduates’ talents and creative expressions.

According to Taipei Tech’s Vice President, Thomas C.K. Yang, the graduates have faced great challenges due to COVID-19 for the past two years. However, this exhibition shows their determination to emerge from cocoon and reach out to the world. “We can see how the graduates are trying to preserve local culture, address social issues, and promote sustainability through their unique perspectives and creations,” said Yang.

Wu Hsin-yi, a professor in the Department of Cultural Vocation Development and advisor to the exhibition, stated that the exhibition has three key creative directions. The first direction explores Taiwan’s history and the revitalization of its traditional arts. The second direction examines local stories, exploring new possibilities for innovation. The third direction delves into contemporary social problems and proposes solutions. Wu also noted that six projects from the exhibition have been awarded funding from the National Science and Technology Council.

Li Ruei-syuan and Yang Huei-shin, both natives of Kinmen, share a common bond with the island’s cultural heritage, particularly the Wind Lion God. Recognizing the scarcity of historical materials on this local symbol, Li and Yang decided to present the Wind Lion God in a contemporary way. They used pixel art and metallic painting to create their unique representations of the Wind Lion God, with the hope of passing on the history and stories associated with this guardian figure to future generations.

Shen Ting-ni and Su Yin-wen designed an installation art piece that reflects the state of “burnout.” Burnout is an occupational phenomenon that modern people frequently experience, leading to emotional exhaustion and disconnection from work and life. To interpret the concept of burnout, Shen and Su utilized the Möbius strip to symbolize being stuck in an endless loop, reflecting the vicious cycle of exhaustion and lack of motivation that individuals with burnout often experience. Additionally, they created a stress-relieving product designed to reduce anxiety and generate positive emotions. Their work highlights the importance of addressing burnout and promoting mental well-being in today’s fast-paced world.

The exhibition featured various other innovative projects, such as the revitalization of traditional Hanfu clothing, the creation of furniture from repurposed marine debris, and an augmented reality (AR) experience that showcased the traditional U-shaped courtyard homes of Taiwan, known as “Sanheyuan.”