TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara (奈良美智) unveiled his exhibition, "Travelling with Hazy Humid Day in Chiayi" (跟著朦朧潮濕的一天回嘉), at Warehouse No. 25 of the Xingang Cultural Center in Chiayi County (嘉義縣) on Friday (Dec. 12). Nara aims to engage audiences in a one-on-one dialogue with his artworks through a deliberately dim atmosphere.
The General Association of Chinese Culture (中華文化總會, GACC) organized this exhibition, marking the fifth stop of Nara's decade-long tour in Taiwan. Attendees at the opening included Nara, GACC Secretary General Mr. Lee Hou-ching (李厚慶), Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁), and Masafumi Oku (奧正史), director of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Kaohsiung Office (日本台灣交流協會高雄事務所).
Nara explained that he chose a warehouse setting, using agricultural shade nets to block out light and create a dim environment, enhancing the interactive experience with his works. He noted the agricultural heritage shared by his birthplace, Aomori Prefecture (青森縣), and Chiayi, which inspired the exhibition's location choice. Nara shared his admiration for Chen Cheng-po (陳澄波), a renowned painter from Chiayi, whose story he read in a book. Nara expressed deep appreciation for Chen's artistic achievements, which influenced his decision to exhibit in Chiayi after being moved by the 2014 film "KANO."
Mr. Lee Hou-ching highlighted Nara's involvement in curating the exhibition "Travelling with Hazy Humid Day in Chiayi," featuring 72 artworks. He described the event as a fantastic opportunity for art enthusiasts, with Nara's extended speech creating a sense of "coming home." Weng Chang-liang announced that fans of Nara's work could visit the exhibition in Xingang from now until May 2026. During this period, Chiayi County will also host the Taiwan Lantern Festival, and in March 2026, Aomori's "Nebuta Festival" will take place in Chiayi.
