Students from Seven Countries Gather in Zuozhen to Reinterpret Siraya Culture Through Design

TAINAN, Taiwan — The Institute of Creative Industries Design at National Cheng
Kung University held a final exhibition for its course “Contemporary Cultural
Translation and Interpretation” on May 31 at the Zuozhen Church in Tainan,
showcasing student works inspired by the culture of the Siraya people.
Led by Professor Hui-Wen Lin, the course was conducted in collaboration with the
Bama community in Zuozhen, Laolao Studio, and Jishe Workshop. The initiative
offered both local and international students an opportunity to engage deeply with
Siraya cultural heritage, culminating in a student-curated exhibition translating their
research into contemporary design works.

The course adopted an intensive teaching format that integrated cultural semiotics,
field research, and hands-on design practice. Students began by studying local
museums and artifacts to understand the historical context of the Siraya people,
before transforming traditional visual symbols into contemporary creative
expressions. Yet, for many participants, the experience extended far beyond design.
Upon entering the community, several students realized they had unconsciously
assumed the role of “helpers.” However, the Bama community—particularly its
younger generation—has long been actively engaged in cultural revitalization, with
substantial experience in preserving and reinterpreting its heritage. Vukin Takalomay, convener of the Bama youth group, noted that the community hopes to
establish a systematic framework to help non-Indigenous designers better
understand cultural contexts before initiating creative work, thereby fostering a
more balanced and respectful model of collaboration. Within this framework,
students in the course participated as authorized “co-creators” rather than external
contributors.

Conducted entirely in English, the course brought together 10 international students
from the United States, Spain, Thailand, Indonesia, Paraguay, and China, who
collaborated with Taiwanese students on team-based projects. Cross-cultural
exchanges enriched the learning process. For instance, a Spanish student expressed
surprise and delight upon discovering that certain place names in Taiwan retain
Spanish linguistic traces due to historical connections, creating an unexpected sense
of familiarity.

From cultural research and fieldwork to prototyping and production, the course
environment fostered active exploration, dialogue, and comparative learning.
Students completed the full design process and presented their final works—ranging
from garments to accessories—to community members. The exhibition not only
highlighted creative outcomes but also demonstrated new possibilities for cultural
preservation through contemporary design practice.