The idea of Drifting Feast emerged from the collective longing for reunion that followed prolonged periods of isolation during the pandemic. Inspired by Taiwanese hospitality and the communal spirit of the traditional banquet table—the customary gathering culture in Taiwan—the project transforms this ethos into a nomadic curatorial practice unfolding across different lands. The sense of motion and transformation lies at the heart of the Drifting Feast project, reflecting on the frictions between history and tradition, worship and solitude, consumer desire and myths of prosperity. It explores how traditions, ingredients, languages, beliefs, and stories intersect and merge through continuous movement and exchange. Drifting Feast combines the dual imagery of “drifting” and “feast”: “drifting” suggests movement shaped by ocean currents, wind directions, time, and geopolitics, while “feast” evokes abundance, gathering, and ritual.
The “feast” not only symbolizes celebration but also points toward conditions of marginality and precarity. It reflects those who contribute profoundly to cultural and social structures—migrants, diasporic communities, laborers, and socially marginalized individuals—yet who often remain displaced, excluded, or overlooked. This metaphor invites us to reconsider the forms of resilience, adaptation, and companionship embedded within these conditions. Drifting Feast also suggests mobility, unpredictability, and the beauty of temporary connections. Through this framework, the project explores personal and collective journeys, communal celebrations, while also reflecting on consumerist deceptions and present social realities – the complex entanglements of globalized contemporary life.
Over the past two years (2024–2025), the project has been unfolding through a series of collaborations with art institutions in Yogyakarta, Paris, and Vienna. Each iteration responded to the specific historical and cultural context of its location, generating new dialogues and perspectives through exchange and cooperation. The exhibition now culminates in Taiwan, bringing back the rich outcomes of these international encounters. This presentation features works by 26 artists from Taiwan and abroad, alongside photography book projects tied to the initiative, introducing these layered positions, conversations, and exchanges to both local and visiting audiences.