Text / CHEN Fei-Hao
Shinto Shrine, in the eyes of the general public in Taiwan, seems to be an intricating existence. It is an icon of an alien culture in the contemporary cultural imagination and framework, while sharing an intimate tie to this land. As a political symbol of the previous regime, it no doubt becomes the target for discussion and criticism. That was indeed the first impression I had as an art worker and history lover. Yet, I did not simplify its definition as “the symbol of Militarism” commonly inserted in the dialogues today and leave it be. Instead, I gave myself a topic for research: “What is a Shinto Shrine? Is there any other imagination or possibility besides its political purposes?” Setting off from my Family Album, I went from the Taiwan Gokoku Shrine to the Taiwan Grand Shrine and from Taipei Inari Shrine to Kenkou Shrine, the researches of which turned out to complete my imagination toward Taipei. As a result, I learned about the land I grew up on as well as the abundance of the cultural context it harbors and connects that in fact exceeds our imagination.