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A publication of the Community Services Center Centered 2020 SPRING &SUMMER ACTIVITIES CATALOG INSIDE on TAIPEI JAN20 DEC19 Vol. 20|04 2019/11/27 下午6:10
Dec 19 c e .indd 2 2019/11/27 下午6:10 CONTENTS Dec 2019/Jan 2020 volume 20 issue 4
CSC COMMUNITY From the Editors 5 The Community Services Center Auction Dinner 8 Dec 2019/Jan 2020 Center Gallery 6 TAS - Upper School's Film Team Win New York Award 10 Book Clubs 7 Strength in Numbers: the Fulbrighters of Taiwan 12 CSC Business Classified 34 Christmas in Wulai IX 21
CULTURE The Possessions of Emperors: Chinese Lacquerware 15
Publisher Community Services Center, Taipei Editor Suzan Babcock Co-editor Richard Saunders Advertising Manager Naomi Kaly SUPPLEMENT Magazine Email [email protected] Tel 02-2836-8134 2019 Spring & Summer Activities 17 Fax 02-2835-2530
Community Services Center Editorial Panel Siew Kang, Fred Voigtmann
Printed by Farn Mei Printing Co., Ltd. PHOTOGRAPHY 1F, No. 102, Hou Kang Street, Shilin Photography Is Light, Only Light 22 District, Taipei Tel: 02-2882-6748 Fax: 02-2882-6749 E-mail: [email protected] ART Centered on Taipei is a publication of the Community Services Center, The Fresh Faces of Taiwan Design 24 25, Lane 290, Zhongshan N. Rd., Sec. 6, Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 02-2836-8134 fax: 02-2835-2530 e-mail: [email protected] OUTLOOK Remembering: Forty Years Ago When AmCham Rescued Correspondence may be sent to the editor at coteditor@ communitycenter.org.tw. Freelance writers, photographers and US-Taiwan Relations 28 illustrators are welcome to contact the editor to discuss editorial and 21st Century Third Culture Kids 30 graphic assignments. Your talent will find a home with us!
Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner. TRAVEL Anping Port [part 2] 32 COT is printed on FSC certified 100% post-consumer recycled fiber. The paper is certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council which promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests. https://ic.fsc.org/
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Dec 2019_p3-end.indd 3 2019/11/27 下午6:05 TIGER TOTS PRESCHOOL A LOVING PLACE FOR LEARNING
Crown’s service offerings include: Everyone needs • International & Domestic Shipments • Transit Protection to know why... • Pet & Car Transfers • Immigration & Legalization We’ll help your whole family • Home Search • School Search prepare for the big adventure. • Settling-in Services
PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN (LOCATED INSIDE TAS) Tel: +886 2 2719 2618 [email protected] TIGGER'S(PRE-2S), 2S AND 3S PLAYGROUPS (TIAN YU CAMPUS) GRADE 1 & 2 : AFTERNOON LANGUAGE & LITERACY PROGRAMS North American Curriculum Engaging Outdoor Playgrounds Qualified Instructors Fun and Educational Daily Activities Go knowing Low Student/Teacher Ratios Fun After School Enrichment Classes www.crownrelo.com/taiwan Gymnastics and Music Class Mandarin Playgroups
We’d love to introduce you to our diverse and incredibly special community of learners! Please call to arrange a visitation. CR ad Euroview AprMay.indd 1 22/3/2016 3:40:25 PM
TYPA MAIN OFFICE: (02)2873-1815 www.typa.org.tw
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Dec 2019_p3-end.indd 4 2019/11/27 下午6:05 COVER IMAGE: Xmas Lights in Old Harbor, Tamsui FROM Please send email submissions, comments, and feedback to [email protected]. by Kenneth Dickson THE For more information, please go to our website at EDITORS www.communitycenter.org.tw
COT Team Taiwan is a compact yet diverse country, a land of contrasts. The old versus the new, the noisy crowds of night markets or the silence of a solitary mountain vista. Regardless of your degree of curiosity, Taiwan has something for everyone. For Sylvia Dean, a visiting Fulbright scholar from Iowa, USA, and English Teaching Assistant in Hualien, she writes that Taiwan has Suzan Babcock Richard Saunders Naomi Kaly KC helped her to have a greater appreciation of what ‘culture’ means, Editor Co-editor Advertising Manager Graphic Designer coteditor@ [email protected] naomi@communitycenter. graphicdesigntaipei. especially through the eyes of her elementary students. “I have communitycenter.org.tw org.tw weebly.com been in Taiwan teaching for almost four months and I continue to learn new things every day. The reality around me is dynamic…”. Daniel Cunningham’s article “The Fresh Faces of Taiwan Design” Feature Writers and Photographers highlights designers from Taiwan, Asia, Europe and the United States design community and the coveted Golden Pin Design Award 2019 Winners’ Exhibition. Also featured in this double issue of Centered on Taipei (COT) is a fun photo-spread of the Center’s 2019 annual fundraising Daniel Sylvia Dean Patrice Kenneth Jim Klar Cunningham Delmotte Dickson auction and dinner. People are still talking about what a great time they had celebrating in a variety of creative, funny and spooky Halloween costumes. Writing and Photography Contributors Thinking along the line of holiday celebrations, be sure to stop in Sue Babcock Joseph Reilly at the Center and spend time looking at the seasonal gift offerings Daniel Cunningham Richard Saunders that are available for purchase. Faye Angevine’s Bai-win Antique’s Sylvia Dean Gary R. Smoke Patrice Delmotte Rosemary Susa fifteen century replica sets of brightly painted wooden [soldiers] Kenneth Dickson TAS – Sabrina C. nutcrackers will be a festive addition. Golden Pin Design Award 2019 The English Library Well-known German photographer Klaus Bardenhagen’s 2020 Jim Klar The TAS Film Department Morgan Loosli Grace Ting photo calendar, along with Patricia Kortmann’s designer jewelry, Pai Su-yu Toom Rook’s hand drawn maps, Mei Katsutani’s handmade Christmas cards, Kara Wall’s tree ornaments and items from Cherry Hill are adding to the festive atmosphere of the Center. Remember that the Center is here for you and that there is Pick COT up at: always someone willing to have an interesting chat over a cup of Uptown: Community Services Center, No. 25, Lane 290, Sec. 6, steaming coffee or tea. Zhongshan North Rd. With Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year Sprout – No. 33, Sec. 7, Zhongshan North Rd. George Pai’s Beauty – No. 14, Tienmu East Rd. wishes, Downtown: Ooh Cha Cha – 207, Sec.2, Nanchang Rd. Sue and Richard
Accountant Monica Cheng COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER Programs Manager Rosemary Susa Events Coordinator Jane Ogge-Cowan Coffee Mornings Coordinator John Imbrogulio The Community Services Center (CSC) is a non-profit foundation. CSC provides Communications Morgan Loosli outreach and early intervention through counseling, cross-cultural education and Mandarin Chinese Teacher Gloria Gwo life skills programs to meet the needs of the international community in Taipei. Systems Manager Samson Debele CSC offers the opportunity to learn, volunteer, teach and meet others. Check out our website www.communitycenter.org.tw and drop by The Center to chat with us about our programs. You can also email us at [email protected].
Volunteers Miyuki Boice, Michelle Collins, John Imbrogulio, Director Adam McMillan Ximena Lopez, Leslie McFarlane, Mirjam Meidinger, John McQuade, Bunny Pacheco, Sofia Vintimila Office Manager Grace Ting Benefactors Bai Win Antiques Counselors I-wen Chan, Katherine Chang, Hui-shiang Chao, European Chamber of Commerce Jung Chin, Chiao-Feng Chung, Cerita Hsu, Miranda Grand Hyatt Taipei Lin, Emilie Ma, Kuang-Shan Wan Premier Sponsors Concordia Consulting Consultants Wendy Evans and Michael Mullahy ICRT San Fu Global Counseling Admin. Joanne Chua
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Dec 2019_p3-end.indd 5 2019/11/28 下午4:08 CSC A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallery will go to the Center. Please remember that by displaying your items or shopping at the Gallery, you will be helping the Center to continue to provide valuable services to the international community. Gallery@CENTER DECEMBER CHERRY HILL MEI KATSUTANI'S TAIWAN THEME CHRISTMAS CARDS Cherry Hill Antiques will have All the cards from their annual appearance at the Mei's “ Design Center in December, January Stories” shop are and February, displaying a designed and created wide range of their popular with themes about antique simulation items like Taiwan, beginning jewelry boxes, mahjong sets, jade necklaces and Chinese-style bags, with a detailed and coasters, all perfect for gift giving. hand-painted illustration which is then printed and finished to PATRICIA KORTMANN high specifications. They are perfect cards to let your Patricia's jewelry families and friends not only see that you are in Taiwan designs have gained but also feel the atmosphere of Taiwan culture. international recognition and acclaim. Her work KARA WALL'S 2019 TAIWAN ORNAMENTS features one-of-a kind signature pieces of the highest quality, in gold silver and precious gemstones.
TOM ROOK'S TAIWAN MAPS The Center Gallery will We are happy to include Kara Wall's brand NEW debut Tom Rook's new Christmas ornaments for Taiwan in the Center's Tianmu map in December. December Gallery! These Taiwan themed ornaments Also displayed are his are approximately 6 cm in diameter and 15 mm thick, hand-drawn detailed with gold embellishment threading and the shimmering maps of Taipei, Xinchu red edging. A lovely Christmas tree ornament. For and Tainan, as well as an detailed information please check Kara's blog imaginary city of insects. https://www.eastmeetswestornaments.com/blog JANUARY CHERRY HILL AN EXHIBITION OF DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS BY Cherry Hill Antiques will have DAVID LLOYD their annual appearance at the David is an artist, teacher and Center in December, January skateboarder from Liverpool, and February, displaying a England currently living in Taipei. wide range of popular antique His work is driven by the desire simulation items like jewelry to represent the natural and boxes, mahjong sets, jade necklaces and Chinese-style bags, and man-made world around him coasters, all perfect for gift giving. as he tries to better understand and learn from it. He takes a DECORATIVE BAMBOO DESIGNS FROM GOLD BAMBOO ART CO. lot of inspiration from traveling Displayed on the and experiencing new sights, sideboard this sounds, art and cultures. He likes month, we have to experiment with materials beautiful designed and learn how to use them in bamboo home décor different ways whilst trying to from Gold Bamboo improve his abilities with each Art Co., LTD. Mr. new piece. On display will be a Hsu has been in the bamboo furniture manufacturing business for small selection of his drawings and paintings inspired forty years and has transformed his product line from Chinese-style by this beautiful and interesting world that we should furniture to small items like vases, lamps and decorative ladders. cherish before it's too late.
6 DEC 2019/JAN 2020 www.communitycenter.org.tw
Dec 2019_p3-end.indd 6 2019/11/28 下午4:06 KLAUS'S 2020 TAIWAN CALENDAR 12/1 Sunday Kundalini Activation Process (KAP) Immersion Week End 1 pm – 8 pm 12/4 Wednesday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS Afternoons at the Red Room - Art class 1:30 pm – 3 pm 12/6 Friday | WELLNESS Dance and Gong Healing Bath 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm 12/7 Saturday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS Paint Saturday at the Red Room Each calendar is NT$300. 1:30 pm – 3 pm 12/7 Saturday | MUSIC BAI WIN ANTIQUES 街頭夜曲 Approaching Metro Tunes (AMT) 7 pm – 9 pm Christmas is coming! In 12/8 Sunday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS December, Bai Win Antiques Formosa FLuuurz workshop will showcase their collection 2 pm – 4 pm of nutcrackers here at the 12/8 Sunday | PERFORMANCE ARTS Center. Come visit the Center “Art Meets Movement” by Mark Hill for that perfect gift. 9 am – 4 pm 12/8 Sunday | WELLNESS Raja Yoga Meditation - Creative Meditation 5 pm – 7 pm 12/10 Tuesday | PERFORMANCE ARTS “Art Meets Movement” by Mark Hill THE CENTER NEEDS YOU! 9 am – 4 pm 12/11 Wednesday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS Do you have a skill or talent that you would like to share? Or have Afternoons at the Red Room - Art class 1:30 pm – 3 pm you found some great places around Taipei that you would like to 12/14 Saturday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS take others to see? Then why not consider teaching a course or Paint Saturday at the Red Room leading a tour for the Center in Spring 2020? If you are interested, 1:30 pm – 3 pm or would like more information, please contact Rosemary at ce@ 12/14 Sunday | WELLNESS communitycenter.org.tw. Compassion Community 4 pm – 6 pm 12/15 Sunday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS From Trash to Treasure workshop 1 pm – 3 pm 12/15 Sunday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS From Trash to Treasure workshop 1 pm – 3 pm 12/15 Sunday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS Let's Dance: Africa! 1:30 pm – 3 pm 12/18 Wednesday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS Afternoons at the Red Room - Art class 1:30 pm – 3 pm 12/20 Friday | WELLNESS Dance and Gong Healing Bath 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm 12/21 Saturday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS Paint Saturday at the Red Room 1:30 pm – 3 pm MORNING EVENING 12/21 Saturday Spoken Word - Stage Time & Wine CXV BOOK CLUB BOOK CLUB 7:30 pm – 10 pm 12/22 Sunday | STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS Taiwan Firsthand: Drive Your Plow An Expat Over the Bones of Let's Dance: Africa! Anthology by the Dead by Olga 1:30 pm – 3 pm | Courtney Cruzon Tokarczuk 12/28 Saturday STUDIOS & WORKSHOPS [and others] Paint Saturday at the Red Room 1:30 pm – 3 pm For times and locations, contact For times and locations 12/28 Saturday | PERFORMANCE ARTS Julie Hu at: please contact Anna at: Formosa Improv Group (FIG) [email protected] [email protected] 7:30 pm – 10 pm
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Dec 2019_p3-end.indd 7 2019/11/27 下午6:05 THE COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER AUCTION DINNER October 25, 2019
The Community Services Center’s annual fundraising auction dinner was a wickedly good night with more than 250 guests in a variety of wild, funny, spooky, and creative costumes, all united in their support of the Center. Among the evening's highlights was the recognition of this year's Community Service Award winners, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, and Mr. Fred Voigtmann. Another highlight was bidding for Brogent iRide tickets on a "buy one give one” basis, where an equal number of tickets were donated to the TAS Orphanage Club to share with disadvantaged children in Taipei. This annual event is a major source of funding for the Center and was again a great success thanks to our many donors, patrons, guests and the many volunteers whose efforts make the event possible.
Photos by Steve Mun-Takata, Claudia Charlesworth, Tobie Openshaw and Jane Ogge Cowan
American Chamber of Commerce President William Foreman, right, accepts the Corporate Community Hellen Soderberg prepares the Service Award from Fred Volunteers take a break from setting up for the auction. (Left to right: Grace community baskets to be sold Voigtmann, Community Chung, Nat Mun-Takata, Sue Babcock, Grace Ting, Jennifer Reeves, Chloe at the auction. Services Center Steering Chao, Michelle Collins, Bronwyn Kay) Committee chairman.
Student volunteers from the TAS Orphanage Club and Grace Guests at table 666 raise their paddles to show their Christian Academy with Jane Ogge- Cowan, left. support for the Center.
Jennifer and Jordan Reeves Huai-Hui Hsieh and Anna Chang
Kianeh and Simon Buttery Hellen and Martin Sonderberg Gwen Harris, center, celebrates her winning bid with her table and auctioneer Julian Thornbury (standing). 8 DEC 2019/JAN 2020 www.communitycenter.org.tw
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Desta Taye Selassie, Anna Chang, and Faye Angevine. Guests at the auction toast to their winning bid.
Lindsey Kundel holding the Nicole and Chris Hudson celebrate winning a round trip flight for two Auctioneer Julian Thornbury, left, and Emcee Shiseido Raffle Grand Prize poses on Air New Zealand with Air New Zealand's Taiwan Director, Damien Terry Lagerquist led the night's program. with Nick Simeonidis. Van Eyk.
Members of the Crown Relocations moving team pack up event logistical supplies and Jane Ogge, Laura Mountcastle, Jen Blackman, and large auction items to deliver to Angela Yeung Dennis and Sarika Hussey Shan Lee and Malabika Das winning bidders the day after the auction.
A portion of the Best Group Costume Award Winners, who came Left to right, Jeff Mori, Blake Pattenden, Caroline Camilla Wang and Meiya Lin dressed as the staff of a Ding Tai Feng. Lay, Michelle Lawgun, and Stephen Moran.
Simon Buttery, left, and Mark Smith, center, deliver Center staff and volunteers, left to to Center Director Adam right, Miyuki Boyce, Rosemary Susa, Best Couple Costume McMillan a generous Leslie McFarlane, Bunny Pacheco, and Reed and Bruce Winners Mary Ellen contribution of NT$100,000 Elaine Hubbell Aitken, Randy Chen Zupanski and Randy from Continental Engineering and Cindy Teeters Zupanski Corporation. www.communitycenter.org.tw DEC 2019/JAN 2020 9
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School film teacher, said. Upon arrival in New York, the team immediately started to work, despite their jetlag. The team was often forced to find creative ways and workarounds to overcome obstacles. “We asked postal services for cardboard boxes and TAS – Upper School’s even scavenged the New York streets for them,” Ms. Michelle Kao, Upper School visual arts teacher, actress, and leader Film Team Win New York of production design for the film team, said. “It was a lot of thinking on the spot Award and preparing for all scenarios.” The trip also involved many sleepless nights, where Michael (‘20), director TEXT: SABRINA C. ('21), THE BLUE & GOLD, TAS STUDENT NEWSPAPER of the film team, stepped up to keep IMAGES: THE TAS FILM DEPARTMENT everyone motivated. “By the third day, everyone became zombies,” Michael said. “I really pushed myself to stay he Taipei American School was nothing short of incredible. “The energized and confident, hoping that it Upper School film team has competition is the ultimate test of would reflect on the whole team.” won several awards at the All the students’ skills and commitment,” The film team was especially American High School Film Mr. Brett Barrus, Upper School film focused on producing their best work TFestival (AAHSFF) in New York for two teacher, said. The students worked after coming out as finalists at the of their films, which showcased the tirelessly even before they traveled to same festival last year. “The students talent and creativity of the film team New York, in order to conduct thorough definitely came away inspired [last and impressed the judges and audience pre-production tasks such as booking year],” Mr. Barrus said. “They were members alike. spaces, writing the script, and testing hungry after seeing what was possible.” One of the students’ short films, shots, for ten weeks. “Students stayed The hungry mindset undoubtedly Portraits, took eight months to write at school every day after class, as well paid off, as the film team came out on and produce by the 41 students as weekends,” Mr. Adrian Town, Upper top at the competition. The awards who took part in making it. It was nominated for Best International Film and Best Director, and was awarded Best of Festival from among the 2,500 submissions from fifty states and fifty countries. Their comedy short film, A Fishy State of Mind, won Best Picture in the three-day competition, receiving a NT$150,000 prize. It portrays a mix-up between two packages: a live goldfish and a fish taxidermy kit. “It was very spontaneous,” Anthony Hsu (‘20), the film team’s director of photography, said. “It started as a joke and then became a story.” The work and dedication put into the three-day competition project The film team poses on the red carpet proudly holding the Taiwan flag
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ceremony itself, complete with a red check to take back to the TAS film also equally proud of the camaraderie carpet, was very Hollywood-esque. “It program. “It felt good to get validation that developed along the journey. “I was like a toned-down version of the for all of the hard work put into this,” was so touched seeing the whole group Oscars,” Anthony said. Mr. Town said. have each-others’ back,” Ms. Kao said. It was an experience that the team As the largest high school film festival “The students even fed each other will never forget. “We walked down in the world, the AAHSFF fostered water and made sure everyone got the red carpet with the Taiwan flag,” spectacular work from numerous rest; each role was so crucial, and the Michael said. “It was a cool, almost schools. “Some of the other films were teamwork was amazing.” The students patriotic, moment where we were able insane and had really deep messages,” felt the effect of their cooperation to represent our school.” Michael said. “This is something we as well. “Everyone was working in Other schools were also amazed by can definitely explore more - we’re just harmony, almost like a professional the TAS film team’s product during starting to crack the surface.” team,” Michael said. “We could do the screening of their film. “Our film The trip (and overall project) was anything we wanted.” was like a breath of relief,” Anthony a one-of-a-kind learning experience The success of the team will help said, “a teacher from another school that the students and teachers felt propel TAS film even further forwards sitting in front of me was even laughing privileged to experience. “You can’t in the future. “It further galvanizes the throughout the entire film. It really replicate the same type of competition film community,” Mr. Barrus said. “The made us feel great.” in a school project,” Mr. Barrus said. bar gets higher and higher, even TAS Winning first place and hearing A “This festival hosted the best of the alumni currently attending film school Fishy State of Mind being called to the best.” This project also gave students are blown away every year.” stage aroused a plethora of emotions, the opportunity to work in a drastically The film team’s accomplishment is and the moment was almost surreal to different environment. “It gave them only one example of the outstanding the team. “We were all nervous, then a taste of working in the real world of work performed by TAS students. they announced us [as the winners] and film, outside of just the grade,” M r. “Don’t underestimate high school I literally felt weightless,” Michael said, Town said. students,” Mr. Barrus said. “They can “it was a beautiful moment.” Everyone on the team was do amazing things. It’s happening The film team received a NT$150,000 exceptionally proud of the product, but everywhere at this school.”
TAIPEI AMERICAN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Saturday, February 22, 2020 Lower School 9:30-11:30AM Reserve a space by emailing [email protected], calling 2873-9900 Middle and Upper School 1:00-3:00PM ext. 329 or registering online at www.tas.edu.tw/openhouse
Dec 2019_p3-end.indd 11 2019/11/27 下午6:05 COMMUNITY Strength in Numbers: The Fulbrighters of Taiwan
TEXT & IMAGES: SYLVIA DEAN
t was day one of the new school year. Twenty-five energetic third- grade students raced into the previously silent English classroom Iwith brand-new textbooks, colorful pencil cases, and curious eyes sneaking glances at me. Though some had previously studied English in cram schools, for many of the kids, this was their first exposure to this ubiquitous language. They weren’t the only ones learning something new; it was my first day as a Fulbright Taiwan English Teaching Assistant, and my first time teaching in an elementary school classroom. Since coming to Taiwan in August, I’ve begun to redefine the intangible OUR IMPACT of a country that sees snow only at the idea of “cultural exchange.” Fulbright, Many TESL scholars discuss realia, highest altitudes, the four-foot-tall piles an exchange program sponsored or objects taken from everyday life for of snow were fascinating to them. through the U.S. Department of teaching aids, as a useful pedagogical With an ETA in the classroom, State, is based on bringing mutual technique in the ESL classroom. In a students have the opportunity to understanding into world affairs and way, I believe that Fulbright ETAs are interact with a native speaker of English. building relationships between nations a form of realia. When you place a Especially in rural parts of Taiwan, this through research, study, or teaching. foreigner in the classroom, it prompts is a luxury that students often don’t With hard work, immersion, and first- otherwise unmotivated students to have. In addition, ETAs bring in a piece hand experience, cultural exchange has think about, interact with, and learn of their own culture by organizing turned into something tangible. about people from other parts of the authentic cultural events. I recently world. As a primary school ETA based taught a class on Halloween for my in Hualien County, I provide a living, students, bringing in a “make your own breathing reason for students from paper jack-o’-lantern” activity, as well as 3rd to 6th grade to practice speaking doing a real live trick-or-treat at the end English. of class. Students were delighted the Although many of us take our own next day when they saw their very own culture for granted, seeing it through paper pumpkins hung on the English the eyes of others is one of the best classroom wall. Through activities ways to gain a greater appreciation. that engage students physically and This was demonstrated to me during mentally, ETAs help students realize my self-introduction on the first day of that the classroom is not just about classes. I showed students photos of memorization and testing. my hometown in Iowa, which, to many One day I walked into the classroom Americans, is one of the more “boring” to find one of my third graders, who states. My students, however, were had apparently taken this message exceedingly dazzled, especially by my to heart, holding a pencil and looking photos of an Iowa winter. As residents teacherly. When he saw me, he
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immediately began to recite the almost four months, and I continue to Hualien, had the opportunity to stay previous day’s lesson, but taking the learn new things every day. The reality in Taiwan for a second year. “Although role of the instructor rather than the around me is dynamic, allowing me I learned an immense amount student. I was so touched to see that he to reform the archetype of Taiwan throughout my first year, I still felt like had not only remembered the lesson, constructed in my head, and of my there was so much left I didn't know but he had been listening to the way own identity, to fit new events and about or understand, and I felt like I I talk and watching the way I teach to experiences. In Taiwan, I find that when still had so much to gain by staying produce his own “class” with me. the other teachers ask me to think another year,” Said Strohbach. “In the Another Fulbright ETA, Lilli Hime, back to my own elementary school past few months I've learned so much recounted her experience as an Asian- experience, oftentimes they are much more about Taiwanese culture and American teacher in Taiwan. different from the expectations put in history, I've deepened my connections “Just by showing up as an Asian- place here. At school, there are many in my community, I've improved my American teacher, I show them some little things that work together to form Mandarin, I've learned more about my of the diversity that is often ignored in the image of a “different educational students' interests and families, and I've how we define ‘American,’” said Hime. system”; for example, the fact that grown the relationships I formed last “That I can break the stereotype of many teachers here use microphones year with my coworkers.” the white American to represent just during class time, discovering firsthand Strohbach expressed that as a a small bit of the diversity that the US the effect that cram school has on second year, she feels she is able to holds means a lot. It forces everyone academic and social success, the “do less, achieve more.” Without the I interact with to reconsider some of routine where students begin cleaning unavoidable adjustment period that their assumptions of what an American duties every day after sixth period, demands time and energy from first- ‘should’ look like and to accept a and even the fact that students year ETAs, she can focus less on the more expansive view of the American independently walk from classroom to basics of daily life, and more on her identity.” classroom for their classes. hobbies, community, and her students. However, Hime emphasized that she Angelina Strohbach, Fulbright ETA in “It's almost surreal to think about wants to shift the spotlight away from herself as the foreign teacher, and onto helping students develop their own identities. “I'm mostly interested in developing in them a better understanding and appreciation of their own culture as well as a curious worldview where languages can be gateways,” said Hime. She has given her 8th grade students an opportunity to do so through writing ‘I am from’ poems, in which students are able to define their Taiwanese identity with the lens of their personal experience. “By holding my own culture in contrast to theirs, I hope they are able to see what makes theirs unique and beautiful, as well as learn how to look upon the differences with curiosity and respect.”
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE One might ask what I, a teacher, am learning from my students. The title of my role, teacher, is deceiving in and of itself by suggesting that I am the respected expert, bestowing knowledge on the children at my school. Rather, I am truly a student, and in the classroom is where the true exchange happens. With this sense of cultural humility, we can accept the fact that we have much more to learn about other cultures than we think we do. I have been in Taiwan teaching for
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how all of my experiences the past nonprofit support system for LGBTQ few months truly were only possible Fulbrighters. because of the groundwork laid “It can be hard enough finding a by already spending a year in this queer community, but in a foreign community. I can't imagine having left country, it’s incredibly daunting,” sooner, and I'm so grateful that I was expressed Hime. “I hope that together able to stay and further all of the efforts we can help each other navigate being that I made last year.” LGBTQ teachers here, learn more about here to make a difference in the lives the local Taiwanese LGBTQ community, of our students and show them that PROJECTS AROUND TAIWAN and ultimately build community with language learning is not a laborious An evening writing workshop on each other.” academic requirement, but a fun Fulbright applications is where all A dedicated teacher, Angelina endeavor that opens doors to the rest of this began. Amidst the panic over Strohbach has done multiple volunteer of the world. formatting, length requirements, and projects, including hosting a Saturday Our involvement extends beyond quality of content, some truly incredible morning English storytime for primary the classroom walls; We are a network things began to come together when students and their families, and of teachers, scholars, and ultimately applicants started discussing their teaching music-based English with a community members who create a required “community engagement youth group at Tongmen Presbyterian web all across Taiwan. Each of our projects.” As part of each Fulbright Church. experiences plays a part in small-scale grant, applicants are required to plan “This year, I'm co-planning and impact, but over time we are working projects that involve them with their leading twenty other ETAs in a to sustain a connection between our local community. Fulbright-sponsored remote service two countries through continued I was beside myself with excitement trip to Penghu, where we will hold involvement and efforts teaching in when I reached out to the ATAYAL an English day camp for students,” (and learning about) Taiwan. organization, a nonprofit dedicated to said Strohbach. “I'm leading a similar preserving and celebrating indigenous English camp at the end of the month in cultures, to hold a volunteer position Hualien at an elementary school in Yuli as a public relations coordinator and township.” reporter. I was even more thrilled to Sylvia Dean is a learn that a story I wrote on Atayal OUR IMPACT visiting scholar from facial tattoos was published in Taipei In alignment with Fulbright’s mission Iowa City, Iowa, Times newspaper. There are nearly 130 statement, each and every one of U.S.A. On a Fulbright of us across the country, and each and us here in Taiwan has had an impact grant, she works in every one of us has found a different on our students and our community Hualien's elementary vessel to support our involvement. and, on a much larger scale, Taiwan/ schools teaching English, and is also Other than teaching in her junior US relations. After all the stress over working as a journalist for ATAYAL, a high, Lilli Hime is working to create the resource gathering, lesson planning and non-profit organization dedicated to the Taiwan chapter of Fulbright Prism, a grading, at the end of the day we are preservation of indigenous cultures.
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The Possessions of Emperors: Chinese Lacquerware
TEXT: SUE BABCOCK IMAGES: WEB
ur guide was motioning for in the underground vaults of the changed to a glossy golden-brown color, us to hurry, as our small museum. it was ready for application to wooden group stood appreciating objects. the cool blasts of air in the WHAT IS LACQUER? Pigments were also added from a Omain lobby of the Taipei National Palace Early lacquerware in China utilized variety of mineral substances: bright Museum (NPM) on an unusually hot a natural substance found in the lac reds from cinnabar, green from late autumn morning. tree (Rhus vernicifera). To extract this malachite, yellow from hartite and As we walked towards the Curio resinous sap, a hole was cut at an black from ferric hydroxide have made Gallery, where some of the NPM angle into the truck of the tree and lacquerware items aesthetic treasures. lacquerware collection was on display, a pipe inserted into one of the sap our guide explained that most of the veins. Grey, syrupy lac sap then flowed EARLY PRACTICAL USES carved pieces were from the Ming through the pipe into a container. It was Throughout China’s history, (1368-1644 A.D.) and Qing (1644-1911 then strained several times to remove lacquerware has taken a variety A.D.) dynasties. These were, however, impurities, and placed outdoors in of forms, ranging from articles for just a sampling of the four hundred direct sunlight to remove any excess everyday use to elaborately carved lacquerware pieces being safeguarded moisture. When the grey lac sap’s color furnishings. Chariots, carts and military articles employed the use of lacquer during the Chou (or Zhou) dynasty (1045 -221 B.C.). In addition to household items such as bowls and plates, lacquer was also applied to burial objects for the deceased to use in the afterlife.
REFINEMENT THROUGH TECHNIQUE Much of the beauty found in lacquerware comes from the variety of time-consuming techniques used in creating a lacquerware piece. Craftsmen were continually upgrading and experimenting with new methods and materials, which in turn changed the appearance of lacquerware through the dynasties. Lacquerware has distinct classifi- cations based on technique. The first, Chia-chu ware, reached its peak during the Six Dynasties period (220-581 A.D.). It was a “dry” lacquerware process, which was quite popular for the crafting of Buddhist images. A mold of sectioned wood or clay was carefully carved then
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was free of any distortion in the design, 2019/11/26 下午12:08 and detailed attention was given to the smallest landscape scenes. Unfortunately, turmoil and intrigues within the Imperial court closed an important chapter in the history of China’s lacquerware art. Carved red lacquerware was revived during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) but it never equaled the exquisite beauty of early Ming pieces.
coated with a mixture of lacquer, fibrous ment during the Tang dynasty (618- material and clay or mud. 907 A.D.). The most significant This mold was then wrapped with characteristic of this technique is the pieces of linen, hemp or silk which had multi-layered lacquer application. The been completely soaked with fresh lac. standard rule of thumb was usually no The artisan would continue to apply less than 36 layers. Once the lacquer alternate layers of cloth and lacquer was dried, a design was carved into until it was of a desired thickness. After the top layers using a thin and very the cloth and the lacquer had dried and sharp knife. This technique was called hardened, the inner core was removed. “picking the lacquer” (ti-chi). The remaining shell, which was once more coated with lacquer, was ready MING DYNASTY (1368-1644 A.D.) for painting. Since there was no inner LACQUERWARE core, these pieces were as light as a Dragons, clouds, birds, flowers feather, an important characteristic of (such as the lotus flower or peonies), this technique. fruits like grapes and peaches,
ladies and landscape scenes Activities DETAILED DESIGN TECHNIQUES continued to dominate later Ming In the late Zhou dynasty, painted dynasty lacquerware to a point of lacquerware designs focused on overcrowding. This was in sharp hunting scenes, legends depicting contrast to the simplicity and elegance archers, chariots, horses and bird-like of the earlier Ming Hsuan-te (1426- creatures interwoven among cloud or 1435 A.D.) period, whose wares are geometric designs. Later, Tang dynasty considered to be the finest examples (618-907 A.D.) designs featured in the history of carved lacquer art. complex floral patterns, which were The “moist” appearance found in the highlighted by the use of gold and red lacquerware from this period is silver inlay. due to its high content (forty-percent) Carved lacquer began its develop- of cinnabar. Each lacquerware carving 2020 Spring & Summer
Suzan Babcock is a long-time resident of Taiwan. During her stay here, she has managed four successful careers in education, cross- cultural relations and counseling, although being a mother has been her favorite.
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