Written by
Chen Pin-Chieh 陳品潔 / translated by 田珮苑
You often hear older people in Taiwan talk about how mud-brick houses are warm in the winter and cool in the summer, yet the traditional knowledge of how to build one is slowly dying out. Beginning in February of this year, people from all walks of life have been coming to the former military base at Xiluo in Yunlin County to play in the mud, make mud-bricks, and help build a large public building dubbed the Earth House. In July, 12 people learned the art of making a mud-brick house under the guidance of an old master, and their skills were then put to use in the daily activity series held at the Xiluo Art Camp held from August through October.
The sign on the sentry post next to the large bridge in Xiluo reads, “All are welcome to have a look.” This is where artists often get together to chat and share ideas, and the resulting artwork is visible all around Xiluo and the military camp. In addition to constructing the unique mud-brick structure known as the Earth House, the common goal of these 12 apprentices was to share the joy of playing with mud with those who come to join the camp. Amongst these 12 talented people are an interior designer, a professional bricklayer, a carpenter, and a former farmer. They have all come here to enjoy pounding the mud with their feet, ask questions, exercise their creativity, and engage in a dialogue with traditional craftsmanship and an earlier way of life. In the past, such traditional art forms were considered open to all. As group leader Li Chaocang says, “This is a game that anyone can play.”There are no fees for joining the camp. As Li explains, “This all started from nothing; no plans, no fees, no experience, and no materials. We eat together, play together, sweat together, and support each other.” Anyone who has ever organized an activity before will surely find it difficult to imagine how things can be done on such idealistic principles. Yet it happens that when there is a need, people make an effort to help out. Miaomiao, one of the participants, adds, “Lots of Xiluo residents have come by to offer supplies and show their interest in the event,” while the others heartily nod in agreement while munching on donated steamed meat buns. A vivid example of this is how four of the participants,who came from Wenshan Community College in Taipei,accompanied the mayor of Xiluo to gather wild vegetables. They gathered so much that, in combination with the greens offered by local farmers, there was too much to consume during the camp itself, and participants ended up taking some of it with them when they went home. Quite a few participants commented on the unforgettable friendliness of the locals. Qiu Ronghan, who hails from Tainan County, said that although his main reason for joining the camp was to learn how to build a mud-brick house, he was thoroughly delighted by the interaction, exchange of ideas, and sharing that occurred during the camp.
The artwork created during previous camps is still visible beneath the white paint on the walls of the community room, as are the drawings made by children on the walls and floor below the eaves. In Li Chaocang’s words, “All of these creations will certainly disappear one day, but it's the process that's most important. In the end, all of the things people create here contribute to the character of the public space; they leave their marks and interact with those who come later on.” All are welcome to participate in the camp, and there are still some places left in the second batch.
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