Penghu Caijuan Oyster Shell Art Community Introduction
Penghu Caiyuan, located in the southeast of Magong, features a naturally formed inner bay environment, making it a semi-enclosed sea area that is sheltered from typhoons and unaffected by the northeast monsoon. With no artificial pollution sources around, it is an excellent aquaculture area. In 1920, the Japanese cultivated pearls in the Caiyuan Fishing Port to Shuanggangzi sea area. Oyster farming began in 1970, initially using shallow beach stick culture as a trial. After the local government implemented a coastal oyster farming promotion plan in 1973, Japanese shallow water farming methods were adopted, where bamboo frames were built to hang the oyster seedlings. Through technical exchange and experience accumulation, the deep-sea suspended culture method was developed. This method allows oysters to grow rapidly, producing plump meat with excellent market response and high demand. Consequently, many villagers began engaging in oyster farming, providing family processing side jobs and creating a prosperous scene in Caiyuan. In 2015, the Ministry of Culture launched the "Youth Village Cultural Action Plan," where community volunteer Huang Shuting participated with the "Penghu Caiyuan Oyster Shell Art Community" project, winning an award for micro-industry, becoming the only awardee in all of Penghu. With the concept of recycling, installation art was created using abandoned oyster shells as the main material, addressing the problem of oyster shell accumulation that troubled residents. Various large animal public arts were made by piecing together oyster shells, transforming what was once considered garbage into beautiful and captivating artworks. These creatively designed large oyster shell installations are located next to the community activity center, made by cleaning, drying, and coloring the shells, representing zodiac animals like the dragon, tiger, chicken, and ox, proudly standing in various corners of the Caiyuan recreation area. In addition to the zodiac animals, there is a wall made of oyster shells, and the sound of shells colliding in the gentle breeze becomes one of nature's most beautiful sounds. Besides large animal art installations like "Golden Rooster Breaks Dawn" and "Tiger Soaring with Wind," local mothers also promote the use of oyster shells to create various small art pieces or decorate local walls and pavilions, with scenes made from oyster shells reflecting the agricultural life of the community. This allows oysters to be not only a delicious delicacy but also to promote thorough recycling, embellishing the unique characteristics of the Caiyuan community in every street corner. 【Suggested Duration】 1 hour
Chicken-shaped oyster shell art installation
Oyster wall made of hanging oyster shells
