Today was a day of traveling. Moving from one province to the next, we made our way from Taichung to Kaohsiung. As Taiwan’s second-largest city, Kaohsiung has undergone an impressive transformation, evolving from a bleak industrial center into a green, revitalized city filled with lush parks, breezy beaches, wide streets, and vibrant outdoor public art.
Speaking of art, one of the highlights of the day was visiting a cultural gem: The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. Home to an extensive collection of artwork spanning both contemporary and classical forms, the museum showcases a wide variety of artistic styles and mediums. It provides visitors with a dynamic glimpse into Taiwan’s vibrant art scene. Beyond just a place to view art, it also serves as a meaningful platform for both local and international artists, fostering creativity and appreciation for the arts in the heart of Kaohsiung.
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I consider myself a bit of a layman when it comes to art. I tend to connect with pieces that speak to me on a personal level, even if I can’t always put into words what they mean or what they’re trying to say. That said, during today’s visit, I came across a special exhibit that genuinely resonated with me, “Footprints of the Walker” by Tsai Ming-Liang.
The exhibit focused on the act—and art—of walking. It portrayed a monk engaging in a meditative practice known as slow walking, and it made me reflect deeply on the concept of slowness, slowing down one’s thoughts, actions, and movements.
The message hit close to home. Living in New York, I’ve been conditioned to move fast. There’s always a sense of urgency in the way I go about things, especially when it comes to walking. I’m constantly in a rush, and if someone in front of me is walking more slowly, I immediately feel irritation bubbling up. It’s like I’m always being chased, even when I’m not.
But the exhibit didn’t just make me reflect on the pace of my steps. It also made me consider the speed of my speech and communication. I realized that I often talk too fast, so fast that my thoughts can’t keep up with my words. The result? Jumbled sentences that don’t make sense, forcing me to stop, backtrack, and explain myself all over again.
Watching the video in the exhibit, feeling the slowness as the monk walked, I had a moment of realization. It was as if something inside me said, “Hey, slow down. Take the time to breathe.” That simple yet profound reminder lingered with me long after I left the museum.
“Footprints of the Walker” gave me more than just an appreciation for art, it gave me insight into myself. Into my habits, my tendencies, and how adopting a slower, a more intentional rhythm might help me live more clearly, communicate more calmly, and move more mindfully.
This just reaffirms something I’ve come to realize throughout this journey, there’s always something new to learn and apply to yourself, whether from a person, a place, or, in this case, a piece of art. This exhibit became one of those unexpected but deeply meaningful lessons I know I’ll carry with me long after this trip ends.
With that being said, these are my reflections from the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. Talk to you later, Bye!
