Taiwan Pavilion Name Dispute Sparks Censorship Accusations at Gwangju Biennale
The 16th Gwangju Biennale in South Korea is embroiled in a dispute regarding the designation of Taiwan's pavilion. Originally named the "Taiwan Pavilion," it has been renamed to "NTMOFA Pavilion," leading to protests from ten artists and curator Chen Hsiang-Wen, who argue this reflects political censorship. The Taiwan Ministry of Culture verified that the project was sanctioned as the "Taiwan Pavilion" on April 2, with a formal agreement finalized on April 23. After discovering the name alteration in June, the ministry reached out to the Gwangju city government. The biennale organizers assert that the matter is administrative and requires embassy consent. This controversy is further complicated by Gwangju's democratic legacy. The event takes place from September 5 to November 15 and includes 28 pavilions.
Key facts
- The 16th Gwangju Biennale runs from September 5 to November 15 in South Korea.
- Taiwan's pavilion was initially approved as 'Taiwan Pavilion' but official materials now say 'NTMOFA Pavilion'.
- Ten artists and curator Chen Hsiang-Wen protested the name change, accusing the biennale of censorship.
- Taiwan's Ministry of Culture says the project was approved on April 2 and an agreement signed on April 23.
- The biennale organization claims the issue is administrative, requiring a letter from an embassy or ministry.
- The exhibition 'Instance Dungeons: Gray Zone' includes works on surveillance and Taiwan's geopolitical position.
- Cheng Hsien-Yu's AI installation 'Traced' and Su Hui-Yu's 'The Space Warriors and the Digigrave' are featured.
- Taiwan previously faced name changes at the Venice Biennale (after 2003) and the 2002 São Paulo Biennale.
- The Gwangju Biennale was founded in 1994, linked to the 1980 Gwangju Uprising and the 'Gwangju Spirit' of democracy.
- This year's biennale includes 28 pavilions: 16 national and 11 institutional.
Entities
Artists
- Chen Hsiang-Wen
- Cheng Hsien-Yu
- Su Hui-Yu
- Liu Tian
- Wang Yan
- Ruan Yuelai
- Ho Tzu Nyen
- Qiu Zhijie
- Shi Hui
- Wang Xin
- Wang Ran
- Ruan Yuanlai
- Chang Wen-Hsuan
Institutions
- Gwangju Biennale
- National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
- Taiwan Ministry of Culture
- Gwangju city government
- Bienal de São Paulo
- Venice Biennale
- Gwangju Biennale Foundation
- China Academy of Art
- Chosun University Museum of Art
- Taiwan's Ministry of Culture
- The Korea Times
- Ha Jung-woong Museum of Art
- Ministry of Culture of Taiwan
- Chinese embassy in Seoul
- Chinese consulate-general in Gwangju
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea
- New York Times
- South Korean Foreign Ministry
- National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art
- The Art Newspaper
- Korea Times
- National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA)
- Le Journal des Arts
- Yonhap
Locations
- Gwangju
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Venice
- Italy
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Seo-gu district
- China
- Seoul
- Seo-gu
- Jeonnam
- Guangzhou
- Zhoushan
- Yeosu