A University of Guam delegation on a tour of the Center of Austronesian Culture at National Taitung University in Taiwan in January. The visit led to the development of the 2023 Taiwan-Guam Austronesian International Arts Exhibition, which will take place Oct. 6–10 at the Hyatt Regency Guam. From left, Kuan-Ju Chen, senior liaison of the Asia Pacific Universities Consortium, UOG; Carlos Taitano, director of Global Learning & Engagement, UOG; Dr. Mitsuda Yayoi, assistant professor of Austronesian studies, NTU; Dr. Futuru C.L. Tsai, director of the Center of Austronesian Culture, NTU; Anita Borja Enriquez, president, UOG; Chia Hung Kao, director of Center of International Affairs, NTU.   Photo courtesy of the University of Guam

A painting titled “Dilok Mo’na (Tilt Forward)” by Jerrold Dwayne Castro, one of the featured art pieces in the 2023 Taiwan-Guam Austronesian International Arts Exhibition, which will be open to the public from Oct. 6–10 at the Hyatt Regency Guam.

A wooden sculpture by a Taiwanese artist named Eki. It shows a man standing on a nuclear waste bucket, referencing the island of Lanyu that the government used as a nuclear waste site in 1975. It will be one of the featured art pieces in the 2023 Taiwan-Guam Austronesian International Arts Exhibition, which will be open to the public from Oct. 6–10 at the Hyatt Regency Guam.   Photo courtesy of National Taitung University

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“Guam and Taiwan may seem to be distant from each other, yet their indigenous CHamoru and Taiwanese Austronesian cultures share a profound connection,” said Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, president of the University of Guam. “Both cultures have evolved over centuries, shaped by their island environments and vibrant histories.”

With the theme “Indigo from the Blue: Sacred Wisdom of Our Islands and Ocean,” the exhibition will focus on art, literature, and culture of the Austronesian peoples. On display will be a wide range of art forms, including paintings, sculptures, videos, traditional clothing, and more.

“We are excited to create an unforgettable experience that celebrates the deep cultural heritage and unique traditions of our islands,” said Dr. Kuan-Ju Chen, senior liaison of the Asia Pacific Universities Consortium at UOG and co-chair of the AIAE planning committee. “The collaboration with our partners in Taiwan will enable us to bring the beauty and cultural richness of Taiwan and Guam to a wider audience.”

In addition to the exhibition, five special presentations by distinguished language and culture scholars are on the agenda:

Saturday, Oct. 7

Hyatt Regency Guam, Tour Lounge

• 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.:
  “Endangered Languages and Language Policies in Taiwan”
  By Dr. Mitsuda Yayoi
  Assistant Professor of Austronesian Studies, National Taitung University
  
  
• 10:30 a.m. to Noon:
  “From the Forest to the Sea, From the Tribe to the World – What Tina Says”
  By Salizan Takisvilaninan (Chao, Tsung-Yi)
  National Museum of Taiwan Literature
  
  
• 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.:
  "The Revitalization of Bark Cloth Making and its Socio-Cultural Meaning in E’tolan Amis Community in Southeast Taiwan”
  By Dr. Futuru C.L. Tsai
  Professor of Austronesian Studies, National Taitung University

Sunday, Oct. 8

The Fokai Shop (135 Fujita Rd. #103, Tamuning)

• 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.:
  “Traditional Wayfinding from the Position of Guam”
  By Larry Raigetal and Dr. Melissa Taitano
  Assistant Professors, UOG Micronesian Area Research Center
  Pairourou (Traditional Micronesian Navigators)
  
  
• 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.:
  “Slinging in the CHamoru Culture: Past, Present, and Future” / Slingstone Workshop
  By Roman Dela Cruz
  Co-founder, Fokai Industries
  Curator, TheEffect

For more information about the art exhibition, please contact Dr. Velma Yamashita, associate professor of art at UOG, at yamashitav@triton.uog.edu.

For more information about Taiwan-Guam and Asia Pacific Studies Center projects, please contact Dr. Kuan-Ju Chen, senior liaison of the Asia Pacific Universities Consortium at UOG, at chenkj@triton.uog.edu.