AI Restoration of Old Matsu Photos: "Timeless Island Shadows" Carries Local Memory

(Central News Agency, Pan Hsin-tung, Lienchiang County, 16th) The "Timeless Island Shadows" special exhibition, which opened today at the Matsu Folklore Museum, showcases old Matsu photographs that have been given new life with color and facial expressions through AI generation and restoration technology. The organizers state that each image carries the collective memory of the region.

According to a press release from the Lienchiang County Government's Cultural Affairs Department, the "Timeless Island Shadows" exhibition starts with three previously published collections of old photographs from Lienchiang County. Through AI image restoration and generation, past black-and-white images have been transformed into clear, color pictures. From the traditional fishing skills of the Matsu people to the daily life of a militarized society and the landscapes of its settlements, each image carries the collective memory of the region.

The Cultural Affairs Department said that Cao Bao-tai, who was in charge of the photo restoration, is a native of Fuxing Village in Nangan Township. A graduate of the painting department at Fu-Hsin Trade and Arts School, he previously worked at Wang Film Productions and is currently the art director for the LiveABC group. He applied his professional skills to restore old Matsu photos in his spare time, recreating the island's memories in color.

In an interview at the opening ceremony today, Cao Bao-tai expressed his gratitude to his teacher Chen Yu-chiao, his junior high school classmate and acting Secretary-General of the Lienchiang County Government Chen Ming-chieh who facilitated the exhibition, and the Matsu residents who helped by donating photos and assisting with the restoration work. He said he spent over four months using AI to generate and restore hundreds of old photos, from which a selection was chosen for the exhibition.

In a lecture at the opening ceremony, Cao Bao-tai stated that restoring old photos felt like a family reunion, as he could see deceased or living relatives and friends in the images, which made him feel a deep sense of connection. The landscapes of his hometown gradually formed 3D scenes in his mind, bringing back childhood memories. He noted that the expressions of people in the AI-restored photos often appeared pained, conveying the hardships of life back then.

Furthermore, Cao Bao-tai said his biggest takeaway from the restoration process is that "AI will talk nonsense with a straight face," such as restoring military uniforms to resemble those of the Chinese People's Liberation Army or making textual errors, which required additional time for regional corrections. His childhood memories of living in Matsu helped make the details in the photos more authentic. He emphasized that AI can only generate, not filter, and it lacks taste; ultimately, it is the human who is responsible for the final work.

The Cultural Affairs Department announced that the "Timeless Island Shadows" special exhibition will be on display from the 16th until August 4th in the special exhibition hall on the first floor of the Matsu Folklore Museum in Nangan. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150516