Kaohsiung Science Park - Exploring 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. Its primary industries include optoelectronics, precision machinery, and biotechnology (medical devices). The park can be accessed via National Highway 1 at the Gaokao Interchange, and public transportation options include the Taiwan Railways Luzhu Station and Gangshan Station, which can be reached via Provincial Highway 1. Buses connecting to the Kaohsiung MRT and free shuttle buses from Luzhu Station are also available. 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, making it a strategically advantageous location for international transportation. The park incorporates local industrial specialties known as the "Four Treasures of Luzhu": tomatoes, cauliflower, eggs, and milkfish. It aims to maintain sustainable development of natural resources while promoting technological industries, featuring numerous public art pieces that showcase local characteristics, preserving cultural heritage through historical and spatial narratives. The artworks, made from various materials such as mosaic, stainless steel, galvanized steel, exposed aggregate, and fiberglass, reflect the beauty of local culture and industries, including “Gene No. 35,” “Spatial Memory,” “Blue Magpie,” “Bear Good Days,” and “Dance of the Fractal,” among others. - **Gene No. 35**: Inspired by a large egg, this artwork encapsulates the characteristics of Luzhu's “Three Treasures” (tomatoes, cauliflower, and eggs) and carries the meaning of ‘production,’ aligning with the development goal of a "three-living park" encompassing production, life, and ecology. The cracked surface of the egg features a side profile symbolizing the birth of human wisdom, suggesting that the development of the biotechnology medical device industry is rooted in caring connections. - **Bear Good Days**: Maintaining ecological balance and sustainable development of natural resources is one of the most urgent and severe challenges of the 21st century, a global issue of interest in modern technology and art. A “good day” envisioned by everyone should not only restore the clarity of creeks, ensuring that little bears have plenty of fish to eat, but also allow humanity to coexist harmoniously with its natural environment, creating a win-win situation of “having both fish and bear paws.” Now, let us aspire to such a good day through our dual efforts in technology and art! - **Spatial Memory**: Despite the constant changes from farmland and parks to the current park environment, the affection and recognition of the people for this land remain unchanged. This piece expresses the transcension of time and the preservation of beauty in memory through technology, allowing more interaction and communication between the public and the park to create beautiful memories together. - **Dance of the Fractal**: This artwork suggests that the life forms of large-scale organisms are recorded in the minuscule genes, presenting a new perspective for observing the world. - **Blue Magpie**: This sculpture uses membrane structure for the bird's wings and tail, while steel structure serves as the spine, support framework, and circular ribbons. - **Spring Breeze Revival**: As described by Tang poet Bai Juyi, “Wildfire cannot consume it all; spring breeze brings it alive again,” this symbolizes the vitality of resilient things that cannot easily be extinguished. Focused on bionic technology, it suggests that "miraculous recovery" is no longer an unattainable dream for United Orthopedics, which primarily develops orthopedic artificial joints to restore the mobility of patients with joint damage. - **Duckling Follow**: This artwork depicts a mother duck leading her ducklings, creating a warm atmosphere at the science park. It symbolizes the sustainable operation of the park and its everlasting presence. Additionally, the collection of works offers people opportunities to interact, embrace, relax, and enjoy. - **Inspiring Ideas and Creative Transformation**: This piece, based on a computer mouse symbolizing technological transformation, captures the flow of inspiration through overlapping mechanical gears, representing the diverse development and rich technologies of the tech industry, while the imagery of rotating gears alludes to the transformation of traditional industries. - **Adding Color to Life**: Nature is inherently colorful, but human perception of colors is limited compared to what can be seen through optical technology. Taiwan International Twin-plate Color Company aims to add more colors to our lives through innovative development. - **Mirror Observations**: The sculpture constructed from double elliptical mirrored surfaces serves as a dynamic container that absorbs the surrounding environment, quietly recording the passage of time. One side reflects past pedestrians, while the other mirrors the vast sky. - **The Huge Power of QR Screw**: Starting from digital imagery and future technological lifestyles, this piece combines QR codes and screws. Viewers can scan the QR code to quickly connect with and learn about the Southern Taiwan Science Park, bridging physical space and cyberspace, thus creating an interactive connection among viewers, the artwork, and the science park. Additionally, the small screw symbolizes the solid strength of technologists, able to support a vast world, expanding the concept of a tiny precision object into a grand visual force. - **Companionship**: As the developing Southern Taiwan Science Park, the identification system is not yet complete. Although large manufacturers and buildings abound, recognition is not very easy; thus, vibrant and creative large signages with bright colors and fun modern design have been created for the Southern Taiwan Science Park to pique curiosity and leave a lasting impression on passersby, even if they are not visiting the park.
