When the plan to relocate the village was confirmed, it was clear that this would cause destruction of both the natural environment and the social network of the village. Many villagers lost their jobs because of the relocation. Thanks to efforts on the part of both the association and the public, part of the town’s cultural capital and common memory was preserved during the relocation process.
The Fine Arts and Visual Design departments of National Kaohsiung Normal University took the opportunity to create a mosaic “village corridor,” drawing the manpower for the project from the unemployed villagers themselves and teaching them the techniques of inlay. This not only helped ease the village’s unemployment, but it also stimulated the renaissance of traditional art techniques.
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In this case study, the author used public engagement to achieve the cohesion of awareness that was needed. The process evolved from the design of the mosaic inlay art to an early experimental stage. Eventually, as the project participants developed greater skill, they were then able to share their expertise with others in the region.
Support came from government sponsorship and from the professional craftsmen who successfully promoted the mosaic inlay art. The project helped reduce unemployment and improve the skills of the women of Hongmao Village. When the relocation of the village was completed in 2007, the former residents moved to different areas. However, thanks to the efforts of the Hongmao Culture Association, the local literature and history were preserved.
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