What would it look like if fragrant dumplings became mythical creatures of the future that protect everyone? Taichung’s Tun District Art Center held the “Lighting Up Dreams Through Art” special arts and cultural experience for TFCF yesterday afternoon (July 30). Supported by local enterprises Juting Machinery Co., Ltd. and Mulin Marketing Co., Ltd., the event invited around 40 teachers and students from the South Taichung Branch of the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families to enter the fantasy journey of the “2026 Technology and Interdisciplinary Arts Special Exhibition”. In addition to experiencing cutting-edge technology art, the children were invited to handcraft clay figurines of future creatures. The exhibition also features original dumpling-inspired mythical creatures created by the South Taichung Branch of TFCF, allowing the children to transform from “viewers” of art into “co-creators” who light up their confidence through creativity.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government said Tun District Art Center has in recent years positioned itself as an “experimental venue for technology and interdisciplinary arts”, working to bring technology and art into residents’ everyday lives. Last year, the Center invited the South Taichung Branch of TFCF to take part in an arts and enterprise collaboration project for the first time, leaving students with unforgettable summer memories. This year, the program continues with a focus on combining an in-depth technology art guided tour with a DIY figurine activity for the “Future Creature Guide”. The children from TFCF explored “A Fantasy Journey Beginning in Tun District: 2026 Technology and Interdisciplinary Arts Special Exhibition”, curated by noted curator Chih-Yung Chiu. Among the works, the interactive installation “The Courtyard Before the Play Begins” presents an original Wufeng script through 3D printed historical scenes. Students can handle the puppets and trigger multimedia sounds, creating a highly engaging experience.
After visiting the “2026 Technology and Interdisciplinary Arts Special Exhibition”, the children immediately joined the “3026 Future Survival Guide” workshop, led in person by artists. This year, participants became “future biologists”, cleverly weaving “Fu Jia Dumplings”, the South Taichung Branch of TFCF’s charity gift set that symbolizes independence and warmth, into science fiction imagination. Together, they created the kinetic landscape work “The Angel and the Ten Mythical Creatures”. In this future world, “the angel has magical wings and can provide immediate help at any time”, while the mythical creatures running across the ground “love eating dumplings most. After eating them, they will keep watch over their surroundings, and as soon as they find someone in need of help, they will immediately run to tell TFCF.” Together with creations by public welfare group Hsin-Le All-Age Development Association and sponsoring enterprises, these customized clay figurines filled with local sentiment and care will be displayed in the exhibition’s interactive area through the end of the exhibition on August 9. Visitors are welcome to visit the exhibition and discover its highlights.
Tun District Art Center explained that this year’s “Arts and Enterprises Incubating Art, Gathering Love as Light” project incorporates corporate ESG resources and has received strong support from Juting Machinery Co., Ltd. and Mulin Marketing Co., Ltd. The program is planned with cultural equity as its central focus. In addition to inviting the South Taichung Branch of TFCF for a special arts and cultural experience, the Center recently invited performers with Down syndrome from Hsin-Le All-Age Development Association to serve as public piano promotion ambassadors and take part in a workshop for the technology and interdisciplinary arts special exhibition. Through beautiful and moving music and artistic experiences, the program allows the public to feel that art knows no boundaries. The association will also hold the “Hsin-Le Ocarina Heart: Tang Tang Love” concert at the auditorium of Tun District Art Center on Saturday, August 15, and interested visitors are welcome to attend and show their support.
Tun District Art Center emphasized that the core of cultural equity is ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can equally enjoy the beauty that art brings. Through social inclusion among the government, enterprises, and public welfare organizations, this summer’s technology and interdisciplinary arts special exhibition, the “Play the Piano Together” public piano experience, concerts, and other activities invite the public to take part and witness the warmth of arts and culture. For more information, please visit the official website of Tun District Art Center (https://www.ttdac.taichung.gov.tw/) or its Facebook page.
Yesterday’s (July 30) event concluded warmly and successfully. Shu-Min Yuan, Director of Tun District Art Center; Chia-Ling Chuang, Chairperson of Juting Machinery Co., Ltd.; Chih-I Kuo, Chief Executive Officer of Mulin Marketing Co., Ltd.; and Ying-Hung Liu, supervisor of the South Taichung Branch of TFCF, attended the event.