In Search of Identity……Zhuwei ↔Singapore
身份尋旅……竹圍↔新加坡
Week ONE | 第一周
田野調察；資料收集
Field Study: Materials Sourcing
1. 認識竹圍的人文歷史和生態。
2. 深入探訪個案（土生土長的竹圍居民：老中青少）。
3. 參訪竹圍重要地標和古蹟。
4. 尋覓和購置最能代表竹圍的材料（以便戲偶的製作）。
5. 參訪竹圍以外的人文生態（收集竹圍之與眾不同的特色和內涵）。
1. Getting to know the locality and befriend
the local culture.
2. To research on the local residents of all
ages and their living styles.
3. Visitations to
important landmarks and historical sites
surrounding Zhuwei.
4. In search of representational materials
from the locality for the construction of puppets.
5. Extension of visitations to Dan Shui/Tamsui area
and beyond.
________________________________________
13 November 2012 | Tuesday
Field trip #1: Exploring the trail of
Golden Riverside Cycling Path. 探索金色水岸自行車道。
These are the thoughts that came into mind along the trail:
在探索的過程中，有許多感觸，也發了一些疑問：
在探索的過程中，有許多感觸，也發了一些疑問：
How to strike a balance between
preservation of nature and urbanization?
在自然環境与人工發展裡頭，是否能找出一個平衡點？
在自然環境与人工發展裡頭，是否能找出一個平衡點？
看見生物在等待食物，感覺樹梅坑溪還有生存的希望。
Life source of Plum Tree Creek - provision of food and leisure.
看見伯伯悠閒的在釣魚，感覺樹梅坑溪的魅力。
看見伯伯悠閒的在釣魚，感覺樹梅坑溪的魅力。
In Zhuwei, is fishing at present day a livelihood or has it
become a hobby?
在當今的竹圍，捕魚是生存的活動還是成為了嗜好呢？
在當今的竹圍，捕魚是生存的活動還是成為了嗜好呢？
________________________________________
15 November 2012 | Thursday
Field trip #2: Exploring the trail that
leads to the source of Plum Tree Creek. 尋找樹梅坑溪的源頭。
A portion of the walking trail along Plum Tree Creek was damaged due to a minor landslide after heavy rain.
雖然聽說沿著樹梅坑溪的路段因糟了颱風豪雨而坍塌，我們還是想親眼看看狀況。
雖然聽說沿著樹梅坑溪的路段因糟了颱風豪雨而坍塌，我們還是想親眼看看狀況。
Documentation of damaged trail.
挖土機如來探病的醫生。
挖土機如來探病的醫生。
Recording of singing bamboos.
在樹梅坑里，遇到了會唱歌的竹群。
A forgotten past.
人類一直急速的往上發展，樹梅坑曾經茂盛的溪流与植物是否會象這輛摩托車，
慢慢的被遺忘呢？
人類一直急速的往上發展，樹梅坑曾經茂盛的溪流与植物是否會象這輛摩托車，
慢慢的被遺忘呢？
Bonding of residents in Zhuwei.
有甚麼活動可以讓竹圍的居民，開開心心的聚在一起呢？
有甚麼活動可以讓竹圍的居民，開開心心的聚在一起呢？
竹圍的英雄們：
Workmen braving the strong autumn wind.
建築人員冒著巨大的秋風繼續工作。
建築人員冒著巨大的秋風繼續工作。
Unsung heroes having to work through winter to repair the damaged trail along Plum Tree Creek.
偉大的工程師們，會風雨無阻的把維修工作在明年過年前完成。
偉大的工程師們，會風雨無阻的把維修工作在明年過年前完成。
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Since our (Kian Sin and I) arrival 5 days ago, we have spoken with staff and artists of Bamboo Curtain Studio, food sellers and retirees and I conclude that the situations here in Zhuwei and Singapore are the same.
In Search of Identity is the theme of our project. It is a topic we feel very close to. Living in Singapore, a multicultural country, we have been constantly searching for our roots and an identity. This search has become more intense with the ongoing rapid changes in Singapore. We witness a surge in population, the demise of dialects and last but not least precious heritage giving way to new buildings in the name of progress.
Change is inevitable. The population in Zhuwei consists of the locals, immigrants from other districts as well as other countries. Together, they have been witnessing the geographical and social changes. Responses to these changes vary. Some haven chosen to confront the changes while others chose to go with the flow. Whatever the responses are, I cannot help but think that humans are great creatures of adaptations. I have nothing but respect for that.
Apprentice:
Master, I was traveling on a course but got
bumped off suddenly.
I have lost my way. Do I carry on with my journey?
I have lost my way. Do I carry on with my journey?
Master:
My young apprentice, imagine that your
journey is like a flowing stream heading towards the sea. When your path runs like
that flowing stream, you will bound to encounter water from other paths. Their
currents may be stronger than yours and thus would alter your original course.
Learn to flow with the new additions. It doesn't matter which path you take because
all paths will eventually lead to the open sea.
Learn to flow with the new additions. It doesn't matter which path you take because
all paths will eventually lead to the open sea.
________________________________________
17 November 2012 | Saturday
Home is where the heart is.
人 是一群遊牧民族。
人的本性就是漂泊的 ，
但他不象這些種子，會隨風漂游。
人 漂泊是為了找个地方紮根。
那個地方的特性就是紮根的肥料。
找到了特性，就有長根的營養。
人 有思考能力的，
人 是有愛心的。
有了愛心，長出來的根是結實的。
有了結實的根保護着大地，
那片地就是 家！
Humans are born nomadic creatures.
We are no different from animals.
Some animals migrate due to weather change.
Some migrate due to environmental change.
They are no different from humans.
What prompts us to migrate?
SURVIVAL.
When humans relocate themselves, what do they look for in their new dwelling?
Affordability?
Air quality?
Comfort?
Community?
Convenience?
Food?
Food?
Future value of the place?
Governing party?
Governing party?
Safety?
Surrounding scenery?
Weather conditions?
Weather conditions?
And in what order would they list the above according to their priority?
在座談會里，有關單位收集了當地居民的疑問、想法以及建議。
無論是土生土長的當地居民，或是旧移民，或是新移民，大家都抱著關懷的心態，為他們的家造出一個有生力的土地。
2012 Dialogue Session between authority and community:
This is the first meeting held to gather feedback and ideas from the community in the planning of Development of Plum Tree Creek.
Be it original residents of Zhuwei, old immigrants or new immigrants, everyone shared a same agenda; that is to improve the conditions of the place they call home.
今天，帶了洋娃娃偶去尋找竹林的特性。
Thinking that it might come in handy, we brought along our doll puppet for our search in the identity of Zhuwei.
2012 樹梅坑溪流域規劃願景座談會：
新北市政府水利局在民生里里民活動中心主辦的座談會。在座談會里，有關單位收集了當地居民的疑問、想法以及建議。
無論是土生土長的當地居民，或是旧移民，或是新移民，大家都抱著關懷的心態，為他們的家造出一個有生力的土地。
2012 Dialogue Session between authority and community:
This is the first meeting held to gather feedback and ideas from the community in the planning of Development of Plum Tree Creek.
Be it original residents of Zhuwei, old immigrants or new immigrants, everyone shared a same agenda; that is to improve the conditions of the place they call home.
____________________________________________________________
19 November 2012 | Monday
Thinking that it might come in handy, we brought along our doll puppet for our search in the identity of Zhuwei.
王伯伯、黃伯伯和其他伯伯們都非常健談。
同時也很愛開玩笑。
退休了後，与伙伴們天天聚會，喝喝茶，聊聊天，談談政府政策、
環境改善等，這可能是竹圍其中的一個地方的特性。
Retirees gather daily at this temple.
Being a bunch of good friends who grew up together, their daily ritual is to gather at this temple and chat about government policies, environmental change and family issues over cups of Chinese tea.
Retirees gather daily at this temple.
Being a bunch of good friends who grew up together, their daily ritual is to gather at this temple and chat about government policies, environmental change and family issues over cups of Chinese tea.
聽說，二十多年前，竹林慈玄宮從建後，跑來了一隻龜。
流浪龜就因此被領養了。待在這為它建設的‘家’，它只吃草。
細心照顧它的一位伯伯，偶爾會把籠子里（照片左上）的雞放出來，
好讓它們与龜玩貓捉老鼠。原因是要讓不怎麼愛動的龜跑一跑，運運動。
This amazing tortoise appeared right after the temple (竹林慈玄宮) was renovated twenty years ago.
No one knew its age.
The mysterious tortoise was then adopted by the temple and a 'home' was constructed for it.
An elderly staff at the temple took upon the task of taking care of this tortoise.
He fed it with carefully cultivated grass and found a way of exercising the tortoise, that is releasing chickens into the compound of the tortoise.
Being territorial, the tortoise would chase the chickens around his compound, thus getting the exercise it needs.
This amazing tortoise appeared right after the temple (竹林慈玄宮) was renovated twenty years ago.
No one knew its age.
The mysterious tortoise was then adopted by the temple and a 'home' was constructed for it.
An elderly staff at the temple took upon the task of taking care of this tortoise.
He fed it with carefully cultivated grass and found a way of exercising the tortoise, that is releasing chickens into the compound of the tortoise.
Being territorial, the tortoise would chase the chickens around his compound, thus getting the exercise it needs.
Note: Judging by the pattern of the shell, this tortoise may be from the species known as angonoka/ploughshare/Madagascar/Madagascar angulated tortoise. Habitat of this species is mainly grassland and bamboo shrub. I'm guessing that twenty years ago, when farmers settled at Plum Tree Creek, the abundant bamboo shrubs were cleared to give way to farmland. As a result, this tortoise took refuge at 竹林慈玄宮.
It's a good thing that this tortoise met a kind and caring uncle who showered it with lots of care and love. Under the care of this uncle, life of this tortoise could never be better.
注： 從龜殼的花紋看來，它象是 angonoka/ploughshare tortoise/ Madagascar
tortoise/Madagascar angulated tortoise. 它們的 habitat (棲息地?)
主要是草林和竹林。可能是那時樹梅坑溪地帶被發展後，大片竹林都被砍掉，這只龜才投靠竹林慈玄宮。
還好它遇見了有愛心的阿伯，才可以活到今天。
很奧妙的，在這只龜的家，旁邊有棵樹。
這一棵樹，彎著腰，好像只有一個任務，
那就是要給小亭子提供涼快的蔭。
Right next to the tortoise's home, a tree grew and arches its trunk towards the tortoise's compound.
Following the footsteps of the elderly staff, this tree took upon the task of protecting the tortoise by shielding it from the scorching sun.
Right next to the tortoise's home, a tree grew and arches its trunk towards the tortoise's compound.
Following the footsteps of the elderly staff, this tree took upon the task of protecting the tortoise by shielding it from the scorching sun.
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Zhuwei has a history of more than two thousand years. With our short residency here of 30 days, we cannot say that we have discovered its identity based on an eight-day research.
However, we discovered that the perspective we see Zhuwei from and the questions we posed to the locals here are new perspective that they have not seen. I suppose this is the plus point of intercultural exchange.
在這短短八天的採訪与拜訪，我們不敢說我們已經認識和了解竹圍的人文歷史与生態。
我們在竹圍工作室 駐村 的活動下只有三十天。這三十天所做出來的成品，算是个起點。
在探討与尋找竹圍的特性過程中，我們認識了好多人。他們各有各的想法，各有各的特點，各有各觀目事件与生活的角度。我們的參與，帶給了他們多一個角度參考參考。
1 comment:
thank you both , so so much !! great effort and really important documentation for our studio too! our local community really needs to find its local identity
i will try and arrange for you to sit in our saturday morning of local residents to the water works department also about the Plum tree creek. that you have walked along, also i will arrange for you to meet Huang jui mao head of city planing architect of tamkang university who is working on similar issues locally, do you wish to talk to a local community head or historian also?
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