Garment District NYC organized a press conference and reception on May 17th to welcome Taiwanese master-sculptor Kang Muxiang’s Rebirth, a total of 7 public art installation to the Garment District Plazas between 36th Street to 41st Street.
Kang’s monumental embryonic sculptures, created using recycled elevator cables from Taipei 101, formerly the world’s tallest building (2004-10), is unveiled on Broadway Thursday, May 17. The seven sculptures are named as Twin Life, The Worried Whale, Ru-yi Life, Regeneration, Infinite Life, Ignore Me and Serenity. Chairman Joseph Te-yu Chou of TAIPEI 101 points out that TAIPEI 101 received the highest level of Platinum Green Building Certificate awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2011, becoming the world’s tallest green building. For the recertification in 2016, TAIPEI 101 became the new green building paradigm for the world’s supertall buildings as it obtained the highest score in history. The idea of giving new life to retired steel cables is consistent with TAIPEI 101’s principles of sustainability and environmental protection.
Born in 1961 in Tongxiao, Miaoli County, Taiwan, Kang Mu-Xiang — often referred to as the “primitive man of modern Taiwan”— is one of the few Taiwanese sculptors who have made the way onto the international stage.
Kang was first introduced to traditional woodcarving skill at the age of 13. And in the past 30 years, he constantly transcends from the traditional craftsmanship, challenges himself and pushes through his own limitation, and entered the territory of contemporary art. Kang’s works is the combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artistic elements.
In 2013, Kang Mu-Xiang was invited by Taipei 101 building to create an environmentally friendly artwork with the steel cables that were previously used in the 101 floor elevators. Kang’s work titled “Unlimited Life” was exhibited at the plaza of the Taipei 101 building and received considerable attention. His sharp artistic eyes see through the surface of objects and found the everlasting life within used materials.
The “thankfulness” and “cherishing what one has” attitudes towards life from traditional culture is the core value of Kang Mu-Xiang’s creativity. Kang’s artworks include three major factors: environmental friendly (core value), transformation (skills and performance) and innovation (artworks). With the everlasting power that is generated by the “humility” concept from East philosophy, Kang give rebirth to the abandoned materials.
To be displayed from May 17 through September 15, 2018, this exhibition is part of the GDA’s Art on the Plazas program, and is produced in cooperation with the New York City Department of Transportation’s Arterventions Program.
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