The exhibition at the Ludwig Museum presents an overview of artistic developments on the island – and, indirectly, of the experiences and dilemmas that shape Taiwan’s past, present, and future.
The selection features the works of twenty internationally recognized artists and collectives who address important topics such as the cultural heritage of indigenous people, the lingering traces of colonization, Taiwan’s turbulent and often traumatic history at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the evolution of modern Taiwanese identity and values, and the technology-based economy and society of the present and future. The exhibited works are extremely diverse in terms of genre: in addition to installations, interactive projects, videos, and animations using the most innovative technologies, visitors can also encounter archaic techniques, paper works, paintings, and sculptures.
Taiwan could be compared to a modern vessel navigating the open sea – equipped with the most advanced technology, yet repeatedly facing elemental forces and storms that drive it into dangerous waters and test its resilience. Although it may seem geographically remote to European audiences, the waves stirred by these tempests soon reach our own shores in today’s interconnected world – through trade conflicts, competition for resources, and ideological or military tensions. Within this shifting landscape, the preservation of cultural and natural values, critical reflection on history, and the building of a resilient, democratic, and diverse society based on solidarity are shared ideals that connect Taiwan and Europe.
The exhibition is organized around five interwoven thematic sections: “The Beautiful Island” – Indigenous heritage, natural environment and cultural traditions; “Parallel Histories” – the colonial past and its imprints; “Turbulent Histories and Traumas” – the upheavals of the 19th and 20th centuries; “The New Taiwanese Identity” – modern democracy and contemporary values; and “Taiwan Today and Tomorrow” – modernization, economic progress, and new technologies. These themes guide visitors from Taiwan’s past into its present, where layers of history and culture converge and project multiple visions of the future.
Exhibiting Artists
CHANG En-Man, CHANG Li-Ren, ChihChung CHANG, CHEN Ching-Yuan, CHEN Chun-Yu, CHENG Hsien-Yu, HSU Chia-Wei, HUANG Tzu-Ming, LEE Mingwei, LI Yi-Fan, LIU Yu, LO Yi-Chun, Simple Noodle Art (CHEN Zi-Yin, CHUANG Hsiang-Feng), SO Yo-Hen, Hong-Kai WANG, YANG Mao-Lin, Your Bros. Filmmaking Group (SO Yo-Hen, TIEN Zong-Yuan, LIAO Hsiu-Hui), YUAN Goang-Ming, Yuma·Taru, ZHANG XU Zhan
Curated by
SZIPŐCS Krisztina, Deputy Director for Professional Affairs, Ludwig Museum, Budapest
HU Yung-Fen, Independent Curator, in collaboration with MoCA TAIPEI
The exhibition was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, and organized in collaboration with MoCA TAIPEI.
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The exhibition at the Ludwig Museum presents an overview of artistic developments on the island – and, indirectly, of the experiences and dilemmas that shape Taiwan’s past, present, and future.
Guided tour in English in Before the Storm – Taiwan on the Frontier of Past and Future exhibition 7. December, 2025, 17:00–18:00
The exhibition at the Ludwig Museum presents an overview of artistic developments on the island – and, indirectly, of the experiences and dilemmas that shape Taiwan’s past, present, and future.
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The selection features the works of twenty internationally recognized artists and collectives who address important topics such as the cultural heritage of indigenous people, the lingering traces of colonization, Taiwan’s turbulent and often traumatic history at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the evolution of modern Taiwanese identity and values, and the technology-based economy and society of the present and future.
