波光粼粼

Glistening Waves

TU Wei-cheng

About the Work

Glistening Waves consists of four overlapping concrete walls made with reservoir silt, varying in height and dimension with interconnected graphic patterns. The title's Chinese phrasing evokes "crystalline streams" and "pure, polished stones." The front face captures the clarity of flowing water through soft, rhythmic layers that rise and fall like musical cadence. From afar, the back face resembles the rugged dialogue between stone and channel; up close, it reveals delicate botanical reliefs responding to the purity of stone. The artist conducted workshops with local residents to gather and press native plants near Zeng-wen Reservoir, casting them directly into the artwork. The design features graceful, water-like ripples and integrates plant foraging to highlight the vital importance of water resources, revealing the rich natural ecology and botanical beauty surrounding the reservoir. Aiming to create a landmark public artwork that is symbolic, spiritual, visually captivating, and rich with emotional depth, the project seeks to bring vibrant energy, public engagement, and a fresh, welcoming entry identity to the Zeng-wen Office of the Water Resources Agency.

About the Artist

Tainan-born artist Tu Wei-cheng, a graduate of the Tainan National University of the Arts, is now an associate professor at the Taipei National University of the Arts. His work explores the metamorphosis of "self" into "institution," constructing fictional "historical evidence" within a fabricated archaeological context, blending "technological artifacts" with distinctive forms from various civilizations and eras. It interweaves local legends and contemporary phenomena, creating a sense of dislocation between history and reality. This dissonance serves as a commentary on the artist's perception of the current state of information-based civilization, while also reflecting on the widespread discrepancies and anxieties surrounding cultural identity in society.