Relational Field: The Cultural Landscape of New Taipei in the 1990s│402│Chien Ming-hui: A Provider of Oral and Documental Archives

Chien Ming-hui: A Provider of Oral and Documental Archives [The script of this episode] What prompted the series of reforms at the Taipei County Cultural Center beginning in 1992? One of the key figures was Chien Ming-hui, the project officer from the Museum Division of the Taipei County Cultural Center at the time. Back then, the title “curator” did not yet exist. But Chien was an important driving force behind this avant-garde exhibition program. He introduced a number of innovative changes: reforming the Taipei County Art Exhibition system, appointing art critics as curators, inviting experimental artists outside the mainstream to present their work, and highlighting diverse forms of artistic practice. The complete photo album of the 1995 Taipei County Art Exhibition is on view in the display case, along with press coverage reflecting both praise and criticism. These materials are part of Chien’s carefully assembled archive. He also invited a photographer and a documentarian to capture the exhibition in photography and video. These visual records offer a glimpse into the atmosphere of that time. The video on display stands as evidence of Chien’s commitment to reform. Although his official position was that of a government project officer, Chien Ming-hui had long been an exhibition organizer and a dedicated arts professional. He built horizontal connections across public and private institutions, non-profit organizations, and alternative spaces, working tirelessly to weave together a professional network grounded in Taiwanese contemporary art. ---------- Relational Field: The Cultural Landscape of New Taipei in the 1990s 2025.08.16-12.21 ｜Curator｜ WANG Pin-hua ｜Artists｜ WANG Fujui, WU Mali, LIN Chi-wei, YAO Jui-Chung, KAO Jun-honn, HUANG Ming-chuan, LIU Chen-hsiang ｜Oral Archive Providers｜ Sisy CHEN, CHIEN Ming-hui ｜More Information｜https://ntcart.museum/EN/exhibition/H2507001