Cow Parade in Taipei, 2009

Cow Parade，這全世界最大型、最成功的公共藝術熱潮，從1998年的蘇黎士開始，經芝加哥、紐約、布拉格、雪梨、東京……，終於蔓延至台灣，在台北登陸。台北是全球第六十五個奔牛城市，以規模來看，算是亞洲最大的。這107頭令人驚豔的藝術創作牛，展示在台北數個熱鬧商圈，讓台北街頭乍然鮮活了起來。雖然奔牛節已是去年(2009)的事了，但這些展出的彩繪牛相當具有台灣特色，所以忍不住想分享出來，讓大家看看台灣的奔牛節是怎樣的一番情境。

Cow Parade, the world’s largest and the most successful public art exhibition started in Zurich in 1998. After Chicago, New York, Prague, Sydney, Tokyo…., the exhibit came to Taipei, Taiwan. Taipei was the 65th city of the Cow Parade exhibit. It was also the largest exhibit among those in all the Asia counties. The 107 stunning arts were displayed in Taipei’s busy shopping districts. Although the Cow Parade was conducted in 2009, the colorful cow paintings represented different characteristics of Taiwan, which was worthwhile to bring them up to share again.

展於台北市政府大廳裡頭的這隻牛，是編號１號的彩繪牛，由十三個圖騰組合而成的。這十三個元素分別代表著泰雅族、賽夏族、布農族、鄒族、魯凱族、排灣族、卑南族、阿美族、達悟族、邵族、噶瑪蘭族、太魯閣族及撒奇萊雅族。大多的圖騰我辨示不出來是屬於哪一個族，但可以肯定的是牛臉上的紋面，是屬於台灣人口第二多的泰雅族。

Located in the Taipei City Hall is the No.1 painted cow. This cow was painted with 13 totems. The 13 elements represent 13 different tribes in Taiwan, which are Atayal, Saisiyat, Bunun, Tsou, Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Amis, Tao, Thao, Kavalan, Truku, and Sakizaya. I could not tell which totem belongs to which tribe, however, I was very sure that the facial totem of the cow is from Atayal, the second largest tribes in Taiwan.

這隻籤牛是以台北龍山寺為創作發想，一旁擺放著茭杯與籤筒，而牛本身是籤詩櫃，這一格格的籤詩櫃都可以打開，據說裡頭還有籤詩。不過，我是事後才知道了，所以錯過了拿籤詩的機會。

The “Qian Niu” (Cow with lucky tags) is the creation form Taipei Long Shan Temple. The Jiao Bei (a worshipping item - 2 pieces of wood in half moon shape with red color) and Qian Tong (a tube which hold bamboo lucky sticks) are located next to the cow. The cow itself is a wardrobe for all the poem tags. Each wardrobe can be opened. It said that there were lucky tags in there. I found it out later, so I missed picking a tag.

牛身上彩繪的是相當具有台灣特色的傳統客家花布紋。任何商品，無論是杯墊、包包、面紙套，還是抱枕等等，有了這經典花色就會散發著濃濃的懷舊味。

註：若有看過 「客家藍衫」 這篇文章的人，或許對這個花布紋會有一些印象哦！

This cow was painted with a unique traditional Hakka flower pattern. Any products made with Hakka’s flower patterns fabrics would give a nostalgic feeling, such as cup holders, purses, tissue covers, or pillows…etc.

PS: You may have seen the flower pattern fabrics from the “Hakka Blue Shirts” post.

這個作品名稱為「台灣夜市牛」，代表著黑夜的黑色牛身，繪著檸檬愛玉、烤玉米、刨冰、割包、烤魷魚及珍珠奶茶等台灣小吃，看了讓人忍不住好想咬一口。

註：有沒有發現，有人正大口咬著烤玉米，that’s me, Kristen！嘿嘿！

This cow was named “Taiwan Night Market” which represents the night life in Taiwan. It was painted with all the local popular snacks, such as Lemon Aiyu, BBQ corn, crushed ice dessert, bun, BBQ squid, Pearl Jelly Milk Tea…etc. They all looked so tempting!

PS: Can you see someone eating a BBQ corn? Ha! That’s me, Kristen!

圖上－小籠湯包也是台灣很著名的美食，是我相當喜歡的小吃之一。

圖下－這隻綠色的牛身上繪製的是黑松汽水的圖案。黑松汽水是許多台灣人兒時的美好回憶哦！

The photo above: The small steam dumpling is another popular snack in Taiwan. It is also one of my favorites.

The photo below: This green cow is painted with Hey Song Soda images. Hey Song Soda brought up lots of our childhood memories!

珍珠奶茶是台灣原創的冷飲，目前在世界的很多城市都可喝的到。不知你們有沒有喝過呢？

The Pearl Jelly Milk Tea is a cold drink originated in Taiwan. Now it can be seen in many places in the world. Have you tasted the Pearl Jelly Milk Tea?

這個作品為「八家將牛」，八家將 是八位負責捉邪驅惡的神祇，也是一種陣頭的名稱。八家將每位成員的臉部彩繪、衣著穿戴都不相同且別具意義，在台灣宗教節慶民俗中扮演著重要角色。這隻牛的臉部中央，繪有寫著平安兩字的神符，而身上則將八家將臉部彩繪以抽象形式呈現。

This cow was painted with Ba Jia Jiang (Eight Generals). They are eight deities who are responsible to expel devils and are showing up in the worship parade. Each general wears different makeup and costume, having different meanings. They play very important roles in the local worship festivals. There is a “Peace” writing in the center of the cow face. The abstract facial painting of the “Eight Generals” is shown on the cow’s body.

這個作品名稱為「2357」，2357是ASUSTeK Computer Inc.的股票代號，所代表的，當然是指ASUSTeK本身。這隻華麗出色且鬥志高昂的晶片鬥牛，身穿2357片晶片戰甲，嘴咬著代表勝利的晶片玫瑰，有著科技與勇氣的象徵。

This cow is named “2357”, which is the stock code of ASUSTeK Computer Inc, and she represents ASUSTeK. This elegant and highly motivated cow is painted with all the computer chips. It also wears 2357 chip battle gear. The cow is biting a rose that was made with chips which represent victory, high-tech, and courage.

這個彩繪牛我忘了什麼名稱，很童趣的感覺，我個人挺喜歡的。

I forgot the name of this painted cow. It looks very interesting. I like it a lot.

這是讓我很驚豔的二個作品之一，馬賽克拼貼出孔雀、老虎等圖案，色彩繽紛相當美麗。

I was very impressed with these beautiful peacocks, tigers and other patterns designs which were put together by the colorful mosaics.

另一個驚豔的作品，就是這隻看起來華麗優雅的牛。台灣奔牛節展出107頭牛，我沒能全部欣賞完，但已感到相當滿足，希望你們也喜歡。

I was also surprised by this black and white elegant looking painted cow. There were a total of 107 painted cows in this event. I did not get to see all of them, but I was very impressed with what I saw. I hope you will like them as well! Read More