Kaohsiung Science Park - Discover Public Art Introduction
Kaohsiung Science Park is located between the districts of Luzhu, Gangshan, and Yong'an in Kaohsiung City, covering an area of approximately 570 hectares. The main industries are optoelectronics, precision machinery, and biotechnology (medical equipment). It can be accessed via National Highway 1’s Kaohsiung Science Park interchange through connecting roads. Public transportation can utilize the Taiwan Railways Luzhu Station and Gangshan Station, reaching the area via Provincial Highway 1; there are also shuttle buses, including the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line 69B, to the park. A free shuttle bus from Taiwan Railways Luzhu Station also operates to the park, and in the future, the Kaohsiung MRT will extend to Luzhu, greatly enhancing transportation convenience. The park is about 35 kilometers from Kaohsiung International Airport and approximately 40 kilometers from Kaohsiung Port, holding a significant geographic advantage for international transportation. The park integrates local agricultural products from Luzhu, the "Four Treasures" (tomatoes, cauliflower, eggs, and milkfish), aiming to maintain sustainable development of natural resources while advancing the high-tech industry. Numerous public artworks with local characteristics have been installed, conveying cultural heritage through historical and spatial elements, showcasing the beauty of local culture and industries using various materials such as mosaic, stainless steel, galvanized steel, pebbles, and fiberglass. Examples include "Gene #35," "Spatial Memory," "Blue Magpie," "Bear Happy Life," and "Dance of Fulcrum." ◆ Gene #35: This artwork, inspired by a large egg, features the local specialties of Luzhu's "Three Treasures" (tomato, cauliflower, and egg) and carries the connotation of "production," aligning with the development goal of a "Triple Living Park" that focuses on production, life, and ecology. The cracks on the egg symbolize the birth of human wisdom, suggesting that the development of the biotechnology and medical equipment industry stems from caring for the human interface connection. ◆ Bear Happy Life: Maintaining ecological balance and sustainable development of natural resources is one of the most urgent and severe challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, and it remains a global issue of great interest to modern science and art. The dream of a good life not only calls for clear mountain streams where bears can enjoy plenty of fish but also for humans to coexist harmoniously with their natural environment, achieving a win-win situation of "having both fish and bear paws." Let's strive for such a good day to arrive soon through our dual efforts in technology and art. ◆ Spatial Memory: The science park has transformed from farmland and parks to its current state. Though the environment has changed continuously, the love and recognition for this land remain. This artwork expresses the idea that all things transcend the limits of time, storing the beauty of the world in a memory time difference through technology, and through integrating regional landscape concepts, allowing people to engage more with the park and collectively create beautiful memories. ◆ Dance of Fulcrum: Just as the large-scale form of living organisms is recorded in the tiny scale of genes, fractals provide us with a new perspective to observe the world. ◆ Blue Magpie: The structure utilizes a membrane to form the wings and tail of the bird, while a steel structure serves as the skeleton and supporting framework. ◆ Spring Breeds Again: The poet Bai Juyi metaphorically described vital things as "wildfires that cannot be burned out, spring always brings them back," suggesting that no force can extinguish vital energy. Committed to biomimetic technology, the aim is to make the concept of "miraculous recovery" a reachable goal in orthopedics, focusing primarily on artificial joints. These products are designed to replace damaged joints in patients, allowing them to regain mobility and long-term use. Joint Orthopedics serves as the spring breeze for joint patients, utilizing technological wisdom to enhance the happiness of life, with joyful appearances symbolizing the signal of rejuvenation. ◆ Duck with Ducklings: Featuring the image of a mother duck leading her ducklings, this artwork conveys a sense of warmth within the science park. The mother duck symbolizes the sustainable operation and lasting appeal of the science park. Additionally, the entire collection invites the public to engage, embrace, rest, and enjoy. ◆ Infusion of Inspiration, Transformation of Creativity: Based on the shape of a computer mouse symbolizing technological transformation, inspiration continuously flows from it through interlocking mechanical gears, representing the diverse development and rich technologies of the tech industry. The rotating gears also metaphorically reflect the transformation of traditional industries, resonating with the park's historical culture and connecting to future developments, adding a spirit of significance to the park as a landmark. ◆ Adding Color to Life: Nature is inherently colorful, but the visual experiences perceived by the naked eye are limited compared to those enhanced through optical technology. Taiwan International Printing and Color Light Enterprise aims to enrich our lives with more colors by innovating in research and development, enabling broader expressions of color and enhancing the sense of happiness in life. ◆ Mirror View: This sculpture, composed of dual elliptical mirror surfaces, serves as a dynamic container that absorbs the surrounding environment, silently recording changes over time. One side reflects past passersby, while the other side mirrors the expansive sky. The semi-open space creates a blurred relationship between the inside and outside, while the artwork's timely integration provides an opportunity for people to contemplate nature. ◆ The Mighty Power of QR Screw: Starting from digital imagery and future technological living, this piece combines QR codes and screws as symbols. Viewers can scan the QR code to quickly connect and learn about the Southern Science Park, transitioning from physical space to online space, creating an interactive bond among the observer, the artwork, and the science park. Furthermore, the representation of a small screw symbolizes the foundational strength of tech professionals, capable of supporting a vast world. Originally minor precise objects expand into significant visual impact, taking bold steps from small beginnings toward global opportunities. QR Screw is not just a small screw; it reflects the profound potential of local cultivation that cannot be ignored globally. ◆ Companionship: The developing Southern Science Park in Kaohsiung currently lacks a comprehensive identification system, making it not very easy to recognize despite the presence of many major companies and buildings. In a lively, creative, and eye-catching manner, large indicators have been designed for the Southern Science Park to stand out with bright colors and playful modern designs, making passing citizens curious and impressed, even if they are not headed to the Kaohsiung Park.
