Artwork Appreciation
Dondon Houmwm is a member of the Tomong tribe of the Taroko people and creates artworks that cross the genre of new media and performance art to reflect upon the personal identity and historical context of the Taiwanese aborigines. The Brink between Perfection and Wreckage is a multi-screen image with modern cities and traditional tribal settings, and it depicts Dondon Houmwm wearing traditional tribal clothing and modern outfits when traversing through different sceneries. The work contemplates the questions: where do people come from and where are they going? What is the meaning behind ruin and perfection? The black and white backgrounds and occasional patches of brilliant colors intentionally retained serve to symbolize conflicts between two different cultures. Dondon Houmwm attempts to convey an aborigine’s perspective on culture and value as well as the position of their people in the modern society.