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"I am a film director.
But when I am not directing,
I live like an ordinary person.
I live more days not directing.
In the morning,
I make coffee and sweep the floor.
I have to tidy up my house
and organize things,
before I can start my day.
I always start my day this way."
── Tsai Ming-Liang, 2023
Tsai Ming-Liang shared with Wistron employees how to break boundaries between cinemas and art galleries.
Lee Kang-Sheng's relapse, and Anong Houngheuangsy, whom Tsai encountered at work in Bangkok, became the strong inspiration behind his 11th feature film, Days. The film won the Jury Award of Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020, following the success of works like Spider Lilies by Zero Chou and Small Talk by Huang Hui-Chen. Due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, Tsai could not meet with Lee and Anong. Filled with longing, Tsai began to draw scenes from the movie, as if capturing them on canvas and recreating the film once again. The three-year accumulation of artwork gave birth to the interdisciplinary art project, Tsai Ming-Liang's Days.
"I am very fond of blurring the boundaries between cinemas and art galleries," said Tsai.
In 2014, Tsai collaborated with the Museum of National Taipei University of Education for the first time for the exhibition, Stray Dog at the museum, where audiences get to experience watching the film Stray Dogs in an art gallery. In 2019, his film Your Face incorporated 13 artworks that should have been exhibited in an art museum into the cinema through 14 long takes. In 2023, while Days was screened in movie theaters, Tsai Ming-Liang’s Days was exhibited in an art gallery, allowing audiences to savor Days in different light and different orders, and gain a deeper understanding of Tsai's days.
A collection of old chairs and oil paintings in films.
The Wistron Foundation had the honor of inviting Tsai to hold a meet and greet at the Museum of National Taipei University of Education, where he personally acted as a docent for the Wistron employees. In addition to the painted scenes from Days, the exhibition also integrated Tsai's interdisciplinary creations from the past few decades, including the fusion of social issues and old songs, the juxtaposition of old chairs and still-life oil paintings, and various stories and works originated from his films. The exhibition faithfully presented Tsai's creative journey. In the basement, unreleased film clips were showcased, allowing everyone to understand the meaning of the films and issues he tried to present from a different perspective. "The exhibition environment, the arrangement of works, and the lighting effects are perfectly coordinated, making the exhibition process comfortable, tranquil, and enjoyable. Director Tsai forthcoming sharing, in particular, is just like his works. There is no deliberate emphasis or embellishment, just an ordinary day," a colleague shared his thoughts.
A collection of old chairs and oil paintings in films.
Through Tsai's personal guidance, Wistron employees were able to step into the world as seen by this artistic master, feeling the emotions he experienced, observing how life was presented through art. They were able to resonate and being touched in many ways. As one colleague said, "This exhibition allows us to see how Tsai discovers beauty in the simple and unadorned everyday life and transforms it into art. Through conversations with him, we gain a deeper understanding of his personality, creative journey, and thoughts behind his works. The artistic inspiration and enlightenment for us, the technology professionals, is truly gratifying."
Group photo of Tsai Ming-Liang and Wistron employees.