Free Large-Scale Street Murals: Taiwan's Cultural Energy Shines in Brooklyn, New York

Six Taiwanese street mural artists have spent the past week creating large-scale murals in Brooklyn, New York. Visitors walking into the neighborhood feel as if they have stepped into a virtual reality of infinite open-air graffiti. While viewing art exhibitions in New York often comes with a hefty price tag, for the next year in the Bushwick area of northern Brooklyn, you can experience Taiwanese creativity for free just by walking, looking, and breathing. Brooklyn, New York, is a global hub for street art, where various forms of dynamic and static performances serve as nourishment for the local community and a focal point for tourists. Bushwick, located in northern Brooklyn, is a multi-ethnic area; beyond its unique restaurants and bars, the vibrant, large-scale paintings on building exteriors are a major draw. Taiwanese large-scale outdoor mural artists Mr. Ogay, COLASA, VASTAR, ALLO, Blackzao, and Candy Kuo, a Taiwanese-American from Texas, recently participated in the 15th "Bushwick Collective Block Party," spending several days completing large-scale outdoor building murals. VASTAR said, "Since getting off the plane, I've been amazed. Walls in Taiwan are relatively smaller, but the walls here are large and flat, and street art is more prevalent. In Taiwan, you only see graffiti in specific areas, but here it's astonishing; everywhere you walk, there's graffiti. Arriving at the birthplace of this culture, I truly felt that 'only by seeing the world can one have a worldview.' During this time, I've also seen many elements of Eastern culture, such as tattoo subculture and restaurants, which are very interesting. New York is a place where different cultures merge." Mr. Ogay faced the challenge of an uneven iron door wall at the site but overcame it to complete his work. He said, "The iron door has significant undulations, but I adapted to the situation. There is a discrepancy between the draft and the actual site, so adjustments were needed on the spot. Important elements were placed on flatter wall sections. I didn't focus too much on details on the iron door part, aiming for it to look good from a distance and decent up close. Creation is mainly about experience. Many people now use VR goggles and projectors, but I follow the old methods and slowly make corrections." Joe Ficalora, founder of The Bushwick Collective, stated, "Taiwanese street artists are connecting with creators from around the world. The event has been held for 15 years, and we hope to create stories and meaning. The Taipei Cultural Center in New York brings culture to New York and the world, showcasing art globally. Artists can meet the audience, and the audience can meet them. Their style is very unique, and they are also interacting with the neighbors." Taiwanese street mural artists have left a deep mark on the streets of New York, marking an important project for the 35th anniversary of the Taipei Cultural Center in New York and the Ministry of Culture's "Taiwan POP - Manhattan Taiwan Cultural Black Tide" initiative. The large-scale works by the six Taiwanese street mural artists, which began on the 22nd, feature diverse themes ranging from cartoons and graffiti to animals and Taiwanese-style figures, all leaping onto the Brooklyn neighborhood, which acts like a large open-air stage. The artists will interact with the audience during the street-closure event, and the works are expected to be on display for one year.