Tsina Viyny (The Price of War)—A Visit to the Between II: Shyu Ruey-Shiann Solo Exhibition in Taipei

After traveling to Ukraine in person, Taiwanese artist Shyu Ruey-Shiann transforms his experiences into art to raise awareness of the price of war. A post by C. J. Anderson-Wu.

The Between II—Shyu Ruey-Shiann Solo Exhibition currently staged at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) is a large installation that seamlessly blends kinetic art, sound, and interactive engagement. In this immersive artwork, about 100 baby strollers serve as carriers for messages—whether musical or sound-based—representing people of diverse backgrounds impacted by the war. These auditory elements encompass a wide range, from distant echoes of destruction and the thunderous blasts of shells to sirens, music, songs, recitations, life narratives, and even the haunting cry of despair. By physically pushing the strollers, visitors activate these sounds, which resonate with the ambient acoustics of the installation space, creating a tangible yet abstract auditory landscape.

Between II 賴麗惠 | Josiane Lai & TFAM

This project amplifies the voices of Ukrainian people who have borne the consequences of the Russian dictator’s political ambitions, emphasizing their urgent calls for autonomy and national identity.

Taiwanese artist, Shyu Ruey-Shiann’s exhibition draws inspiration from a poignant event that unfolded in Lviv, Ukraine. On March 18, 2022, in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 109 empty baby strollers appeared in Lviv’s central square. These strollers symbolized the 109 children who tragically lost their lives during that short period of conflict. The event, known as Tsina Viyny (The Price of War), aimed to raise global awareness about the plight of Ukrainian children affected by war.

In response, Shyu Ruey-Shiann created a large-scale installation titled Between II. This powerful artwork represents people of various ages, genders, and professions impacted by the military conflict. The artist traveled to war-torn Ukraine for on-site documentation and field recording, and over 100 concerned parents in Taiwan donated baby strollers for his creation.

Visitors can activate these sounds by pushing the strollers, immersing themselves in the soundscape the artist composed based on the field investigation he has conducted in Ukraine. Shyu’s project underscores the urgent calls for peace and freedom for Ukraine, emphasizing the limitless power of collective voices expressed through art.

Through this project, we hope to uncover the overlooked voices of the Ukrainian people who endure this historic tragedy and to emphasize the urgent calls for sovereignty, democracy, and freedom for Ukraine. We believe in the limitless power of a collective voice expressed in various forms and media. — Artist Statement

Bomb shell | Between II 賴麗惠 | Josiane Lai & TFAM

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan’s government expressed unequivocal support for Ukraine and pledged to join Western sanctions against Russia. This stance put Taipei and Moscow on opposite geopolitical fronts. Taiwan has drawn lessons from the conflict, given the shared geopolitical challenges. While not identical, the conflict has reverberated in Taiwan, which faces similar security concerns in the region.

In Taiwan’s society, people’s sentiments toward the Ukrainian invasion are multifaceted. Some express solidarity with Ukraine’s resistance, drawing inspiration from their struggle against Russian aggression. Others emphasize the need for vigilance and diplomacy to prevent similar conflicts in the region. Taiwanese writers, academics, and activists contribute to public discourse by analyzing historical precedents and raising awareness about human rights violations. Overall, the public feels a sense of kinship with Ukraine.

Between II is presented by the Taipei Fine Art Museum until Oct 20, 2024. You can get more information here.

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Shyu Ruey-Shiann (徐瑞憲), born in 1966 in Taipei, Taiwan, currently resides and works in both Taipei and New York. His artistic journey centers around the mechanical power series, which he initiated in 1997. Through intricate rhythms inspired by precise mechanical theories, Shyu weaves stories rooted in his cultural background. His approach is poetic, transcending mere visual representation. For him, the absolute precision of mechanical movements becomes an abstract language—one that conveys living philosophy beyond the tangible artwork.

Mechanical elements serve as both creative media and a profound exploration of life’s meaning. In Shyu’s artistic process, machines come alive, infused with energy through the rhythmic interplay of precise components and repetitive mechanical motions. Each work becomes a vivid testament to the vitality inherent in its individual elements.

C. J. Anderson-Wu (吳介禎) is a Taiwanese writer who has published two collections about Taiwan’s military dictatorship, currently she is working on her third book Endangered Youth—to Hong Kong. Her works have been shortlisted for a number of international literary awards, including the Art of Unity Creative Award by the International Human Rights Art Festival.  She also won the Strands Lit International Flash Fiction Competition, the Invisible City Blurred Genre Literature Competition, and the Wordweavers Literature Contest.