Military villages are one of the unique living patterns constructed by the historical factors of Taiwanese society, being an important cultural asset. They form the cultural landscape of Taiwan by their architectural form, the function of the space, the occupation, daily routine, and interaction within the community of these residents, with the passing of time and devotion. A lot of these villages are demolished due to urban planning. Heart Village in Beitou District, Taipei City, is one of the few that has not been torn down, and therefore reserved the abundant culture of military villages. It originated from “Former Japanese Soldier Garrison Hospital Beitou Branch”, and the present Tri-Service General Hospital Beitou Branch. The forming of Heart Village has a strong bond with the development of the two hospitals mentioned above. The architectures in Heart Village were slowly reconstructed through time from the dormitory of nursing home built during the Japanese colonial period, demonstrating the military village-style from both the colonial and the R.O.C. period. The surrounding of the village carries a particular character of evolutionary change in time and space, giving a crucial explanation to the development of military villages.

This work is made during the artist’s residency in Heart Village. The idea derived from the life experience of the military villages’ residents after the post-war migration to Taiwan. They were forced to move from city to city, fighting and fleeing from the hostile force during the war. They crossed Taiwan Strait, defeated the surge of the tide, endured the seasick and disease, after retreated from China. Their social identity shifted constantly due to the turbulent state of society and government after arriving in Taiwan. No one knew that they would be staying in Taiwan for 40 to 50 years, let alone their entire lives.

This cabinet was tilted to the corner of the room when it was first discovered. With two hollow legs that have been eaten by termites, the cabinet was deformed and collapsed due to the incapability of supporting its own weight. The tilting and instability within the corruption, shows the damages caused by time. The qualities above linked the drifted experience of the residents to the medium of water, with their similarity in fluidity. Water is a constantly changing, unbounded, and unstable material. Its existence represents materiality within the special life experience of these residents. It was an extremely precious supply, as the water of life, during the war. It was the sinister tide while they were retreating. It is the water of gentleness and therapeutic in Beitou.