Yian Chen

National Museum of History, Taiwan/ PhD Student, ITASIA, U Tokyo 

Taiwan, Taipei

Yi-An Chen is a Ph.D. student in the ITASIA program at the University of Tokyo and a lecturer-level research assistant in the exhibition division at the National Museum of History, Taiwan. Born and raised in Taiwan, she obtained a master’s degree in museum education from George Washington University in the United States. She is pursuing her doctoral degree with a thesis on cultural representation in museum collections and their historical contexts concerning the Taiwanese decolonization and democratization process.
Her other published articles and research papers include “Historical Thinking in Educative Exhibits,” which discusses the possibility for public museums to incorporate historical thinking in curating. “A Virtual Idol Boom in the Edo Period.” focused on the NMH’s Ukiyo-e collection. “The Collecting Narrative in Traces of Brush and Ink” dives into the exhibited calligraphy and ink wash paintings as museum-collected objects and their meaning transformation under national museum politics.
 

The Interdisciplinary Narrative Approach in an International Curatorial Project: Formosa Orchids Blossom

"Formosa Orchids Blossom" is an interdisciplinary, international curatorial project aimed at contextual reframing within a national museum exhibit. This sequel to "Orchids Blossom: Botanical Art Collections from the University of Tokyo" integrates orchid specimens, line drawings, design motifs, and contemporary artistic recreations. While the Tokyo exhibition focused on the natural history of orchids in Taiwan from a global perspective, the Taipei exhibition emphasizes cultural history, delving into the artistic representation of orchid motifs within Taiwan's multi-cultural history.
The National Museum of History (NMH), known for its post-war Chinese cultural exhibitions from the 1950s to the 1990s, collaborates with the University Museum of the University of Tokyo (UMUT) on this project. "Formosa Orchids Blossom" tackles Taiwan's diverse cultural history by integrating botany, art history, sociology, and cultural studies. This interdisciplinary approach facilitates an inclusive exhibit narrative, relatable to both Taiwanese audiences with diverse memories and international visitors. The exhibition's narrative starts with the natural history and scientific study of orchids, extending into cultural history and art, reflecting the multi-layered Taiwanese history composed of diverse peoples and their distinct memories. Various phases and origins of orchid representations correspond to specific stages of Taiwanese history, engaging a wide range of audiences. Tangible methods include interactive digital representations and multi-sensory aesthetic experiences, showcasing the metamorphosis of orchids from their natural habitat to specimens, botanical art, abstract literati representations, and contemporary recreations. This interdisciplinary curatorial practice, through collaborative efforts from NMH and UMUT, has the potential to create a comprehensive and inclusive exhibit narrative.
By presenting a multi-layered narrative, "Formosa Orchids Blossom" exemplifies how interdisciplinary and international collaboration can enhance the depth of museum exhibitions. This project underscores the potential for museums to act as platforms for cultural exchange and understanding, setting a precedent for future interdisciplinary curatorial endeavors.

Exhibition Narrative, Orchid, Natural History, Cultural History, Interdisciplinary Collaboration