Song of the Forest Introduction
"Song of the Forest" is located at the intersection of Cultural Road and the Taiwan Railway in Chiayi City. The design is centered around towering sacred trees and the Alishan railway tracks, creating a tranquil spiritual tower. Vertical wooden slats surround the main theme, resembling the sacred trees of Alishan embracing the sky. The curved pathways represent the flow of the Alishan railway, winding through the mountains and passing through caves. The rattan-woven corridors reflect the natural play of light and shadow, akin to a forest train weaving through the landscapes of Alishan. The base of the structure, stacked with stones, mirrors the grandeur of Alishan's majestic peaks, presenting a sublime image. The inspiration comes from the Kubaba shape of the Tsou people in Alishan and indigenous bamboo weaving. Using materials like wood, iron tracks, and stones provided by the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture, it offers the public an experience of the natural environment. The golden dome, woven with copper, allows sunlight to beam golden rays, while the moonlight and starlight change; the interior features a beech and cypress wood floor filled with the aroma of phytoncides. The permeable shape reveals more natural viewing delights. Through the transparent dome, it showcases the changing sky throughout the day and night, capturing the ever-changing essence of nature in Alishan, which is always surprising! Visitors feel as if they are walking on clouds, experiencing the multi-sensory delight of Alishan. The creator, Wang Wenzhi, was born in the Greater Alishan area, and with his familiarity of the local flavors, along with his expertise in bamboo weaving and the use of natural materials, he has crafted this modern artistic piece "Song of the Forest." It revives the past glory of Chiayi as the "City of Timber" and shapes an international landmark for the forestry art park, allowing both domestic and international visitors to sense the natural spirituality of the Alishan forest area even in the flatlands.
