Gareth’s art project
Despite (or maybe because of) riding the billows of work and parenting responsibilities, late last year I felt compelled to create some kind of "art project"—a purely creative endeavor unbounded by deadlines or anyone else's needs but my own. The kind of art I like is the series variety, where a collection of pieces builds upon the artist's theme, some engaging commentary or perspective on the world around us. So I thought I would like to create something along these lines. 
However, I immediately faced the hurdle of having little discernable artistic skills to apply to the project. Sure, I can write well, and I can take a good photo, but I can't draw or paint anything more complicated than a snake. The only artistic tool I can wield with any confidence is Adobe Photoshop. So I decided that a computer-manipulated image would have to be my medium.
Fortunately, the muse struck soon after, and a theme resolved itself clearly in my mind's eye. As a member of the postmodern, cut-and-paste remix generation, I sought to rearticulate an existing cultural commodity, preferably something mundane, spinning it with my own interpretation and viewpoint to get an interesting outcome. So without further ado, I can introduce my pièce de résistance. Here then is my Taipei City Rapid Transit Map:
My map is partly a response to the experience of being a westerner living in Taipei and learning the Chinese language. Learning a foreign language can be a key to unlock the secrets of another culture. I've been in Taipei since September of 1999, and have been studying Mandarin semi-consistently up until now. As my Chinese improved, I began trying to translate the names of places I visited. Most of the existing English translations on maps and road signs here simply use a romanized form of the original Chinese pronunciation. Not much imagination there. But when I began doing my own translations, the results were humorous and insightful.
Here is the original map, for your comparison: 
So many of the place names in Taipei betrayed a sudden depth of meaning I never noticed before. I christened the mundane Yongan Market (永安市場) with the more evocative moniker "Eternal Peace Market." The prosaic Longshan Temple (龍山寺) suddenly sprang to life as "Dragon Mountain Temple." Taipei became for me a more fanciful, romantic-sounding place. This was a bit of the exotic Asia I had imagined during youthful days spent reading Tintin annuals and the occasional noodle shop menu. So for my art project I endeavored to translate each stop on the Taipei Rapid Transit Map using this fanciful romantic spirit. And simply speaking, a lot of Chinese terms just sound funnier to western ears when you opt for the direct translation. Who doesn't smile when considering that "zoo" in Chinese literally means "animal garden?" When seeing my new train station names in English alone, the city shines with vigor.
Something else occurred to me during this project, relating to how local people might view this work. No disrespect is intended to this city or its residents. I hope instead it prompts some positive introspection. Do the citizens of Taipei acknowledge their streets of virtue? Their beautiful views, pools and forests? Their wondrous cliffs? Their strengths of loyalty, justice and peace? Despite its shortcomings, Taipei is a pleasant place to live. This city is full of character and personality, with many glorious treasures, and I am glad to have known her. 
One of these days I'll get onto the future phases of my art project: Same theme, same medium, new subjects for translation. I also have a 3-D installation in mind, involving recycled milk tea cups. Stay tuned... 
This year's family photo, taken at the France-Paris studios on ZhongShan North Road. They did a pretty good job on this one 
...and we brought along all of Vivian's family for a group photo too
One of Vivian's brother's colleagues used our group photo as inspiration for this caricature. I'm not sure my likeness is the best, but some of the others are spot on :-) 
Back at home, Fiona enjoys a nice glass of grape juice
Recently we had a surprise visit from our friend Nya, back in Taiwan on home leave from her job at Club Med in Indonesia. That evening we went to Keelung to visit the 
Sometimes Fiona gets a little restless sitting in her car seat. Here she passes the time by putting on some of Mummy's lipstick
Another visitor: Dustin from Canada. In fact Dustin is living in Taiwan at the moment, down island in Kaohsiung. He took the new bullet train up to Taipei to spend the weekend with us
Fiona can now hold her own food and take bites as she pleases. Here she tucks into a whole banana
Back home again, playing with her ring set
One morning I got up extra early to watch the sun rising over the Pacific. This was about 5:20 am 
Slowly peeping out from the clouds
Getting ready to jump in! I like the fact that in Taiwan you can easily find a place to jump into the ocean and go snorkelling. It's close and free, all you need is your gear and some knowhow about where the good spots are
Jamaican/American piano genius Huntley Brown hammers out a calypso tune
Hazel and Larry perform a magic trick 
Angus and Zorina deliver another song 
Song "Oh Happy Day" -- some of the Studio Classroom teachers came out to do the backup vocals, and also a little rap. That's me, second from the right
The following week we had our annual ORTV retreat, out at Green Bay on the northeast coast of Taiwan. A nice time of rest and reflection. Here Heavenly Melody serenade
Doris and the rest of the audience listen to another speaker 
It was fun being in the band and make music for the introduction of each session. My treat to play alongside Angus and Solomon and Steve. Thanks also to Bob for lending me his red Stratocaster while mine was getting a tune-up! 
Hanging out with Dale Wine. Dale has family living in Calgary, of all places. Maybe our next meeting place will be there
Buckets of magnolias and lilies ready for sale. The magnolias have a strong natural fragrance that lasts for days. Most of the contents of these buckets will end up as car air fresheners.
