In April, the Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park in Taichung presents a new themed exhibition, “Village Observation Station: A Spectrum Study of Old Objects,” together with the much loved Forest Life Arts Festival for visitors of all ages. Through the collection and display of everyday objects from military dependents’ villages, as well as outdoor installations, parent child crafts, creative markets, and wonderful performances featuring local characteristics, the programs invite the public to revisit memories of the times through the details of daily life.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government stated that the cultural value of Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village is often embedded in everyday objects, reflecting the wisdom of diligent and frugal living in an era of material scarcity. This themed exhibition is built around the concept of an “observation station.” Through cross regional resource integration, it brings together artifacts from the Nanying Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Museum and Zhongyi Community, Daya District, Taichung City, presenting the diverse cultural character of Taiwan’s military dependents’ villages. The exhibition areas, “Village Observation Station” and “Daily Spectrum Room,” feature everyday objects marked by the passage of time, such as wooden stools, old telephones, and suitcases, guiding visitors to see the resilience and warmth of family life in the past through these details.

The “Time Sample Archive” treats old objects as specimens of daily life. Combined with oral history and recreated scenes, it constructs a complete archive of lived memories. Another exhibition area features a large aluminum basin, a solid wood table, and models of military dependents’ village foods, presenting the food culture and daily family life of the villages and showing the strength of mothers in supporting their families with limited resources. The exhibition concludes with the theme of “Family Galaxy,” using objects as metaphors for family relationships and guiding visitors to reflect on the continuation of emotion and memory.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau further explained that one of the annual key events at the Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park, the Qing Military Dependents’ Village Forest Life Arts Festival, is also taking place during the same period. This year’s theme is “The Wind That Tells Stories.” Using the imagery of the wind to connect the park’s characteristic plants, cats, and green landscape, the event features multiple installations that allow visitors to feel the wind and smile, leading them into every corner of the military dependents’ village to discover memories of their own. On April 18 and 19, six street performer groups will also present wonderful performances, along with a themed market and green craft workshops that encourage the public to create practical items from natural and recycled materials. The public is invited to stroll through the lanes of the military dependents’ village amid the spring breeze and artistic atmosphere, and experience another side of military dependents’ village culture.

The Taichung City Seaport Art Center added that “Village Observation Station: A Spectrum Study of Old Objects” runs from March 29 to June 28, while the Qing Military Dependents’ Village Forest Life Arts Festival will be held from April 18 to May 10. For more information, please visit the official website of the Taichung City Seaport Art Center or the Facebook fan page of the Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park (https://www.facebook.com/art436/).