Surface Matters

The urban ground can be read like a text. Its markings tell stories of imagined structures and systems of order, different pavements reveal notions of ownership, ornamented manhole covers reflect aesthetic sensibilities, and layers of repainting and repair trace processes of change and urban dynamism.

Walking through cities in Taiwan, the ground beneath our feet reflects distinct cultural characteristics and social ideals. It gestures toward values such as consideration and inclusion, while simultaneously illustrating efforts to weave tradition seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life.

Thanks a lot to National Taipei University for inviting me.