To the author's own eyes, The MDV (Military Dependent's Village) was the backdrop to the beginning of her life as a child. Born and raised in this unique cultural landscape, the author's experience with the way of life in the MDV is up-close and personal. However, with the rapid modernization of the cityscapes in Taiwan, the MDVs, along with their unique culture are also fast-disappearing at an alarming rate.
As a mean to capture the escaping images from her memory and to explore her family roots, the author decided to recollect the stories from the MDVs, and express them with illustrations. This is the author's way to comprehend the change between her past and present, and make connections between the two, so she may step steadily into the future with in confidence.
Illustration is a visual medium for expressing one's thoughts. The illustrators observe myriad things in life, and interpret the world as he or she sees it through the energy with their strokes of pen or brush and colours, and thus delivering the personal experiences within their hearts. In the recent years, the advent of culturally-creative industry has become a world-wide phenomenon. Due to its unique geological setting and historical heritages, the island of Taiwan had seen much cultural exchange took place with nations around the world. And this was the basis of the multi-cultural spheres of life in modern Taiwan.
The promotion of Taiwan's multi-cultural heritage has become a major topic of discussion today. The MDVs are not only an important part of Taiwan's multi-cultural heritage; these villages are also influential to Taiwan's politics and social environment. The author intends to introduce the public to the real-life stories and heart-felt experiences that took place in these MDVs, so that they may know more about Taiwan's unique immigrant culture, and express it with pride.
This project explores the milieu of the unique MDV culture that is only found in Taiwan; it aims to analyze the MDV's physical environment and the psyche of its inhabitants, and translates it into MDV-themed original illustrations. The illustration techniques are primarily free-hand, with the aid of digital editing to enhance the image. The characters in these illustrations were illustrated in a highly stylized, cartoony manner. they will participate in skits with dreamlike and outrageous scenarios seasoned with good-natured humor and heart-warming moments. The illustrations will be digitally enhanced with the simulated textures of aged paper to create a touch of nostalgic appeal.
Complete as a series with images and words, the project aims to pass-on the spirit of MDV to future generations of Taiwanese population, and solidify the lineage of Taiwan's cultural tradition.