Westbeth Artists Housing was established in 1868. This mysterious building full of stories was open to resident artists to stay till they pass away for relatively cheaper rents since 1970. Recently, more than four hundred artists from the world are living here and nearly two thirds of them age 60 to 100 and hence the whole building is like a retirement home. Since I moved in Westbeth Artists Housing in January 2013, I started the life of pushing the wheelchairs, throwing garbage, and fixing things. The senior residents also invited me to their apartments for parties and gatherings.
What attitude should we have to look at life? This artists housing has accommodated more than 350 artists with their original arts from different areas and from different parts of the world. Everyone has a moving story even when he or she can smilingly tell it. I described this condo as heartbreak in the beginning but still I continue this project. I think life is beautiful because it has highs and lows. Maybe these people will bring us so much more.
There are many possibilities to look at things, life, and creativity.
Artists spend time pondering over the meaning of life and then transform it into their works. They feel life but interpret it from their individual perspectives. This project aims at capturing these artists and their individual perspectives of life and creativity, and it is through my interpretation and hence the story will be told from the perspective of an outsider and a Taiwanese.