Family relations, parenting- what combinations can we have? Promoting gender equality must be done in a practical ways that will instill the concept in the lives of people; therefore, we organized this event in a creative and fun way to get close to people with diversified approaches. A good picture tells a thousand words. Photography of diversified families and parent-child relationships has been widely exhibited in the international society. The artists bring their thought into images and raise the issues of gender in society.
Taiwan's first Crossing the Bounds of Gender- Diversified Parenting Photography Exhibition
In Kaohsiung
Time: December 14th (Wed.) to 3:00pm December 21st 2005
Seminar: 2:00pm to 4:00pm, December 17th (Sat.) 2005
Location: Temporary Exhibition Hall IV, National Science and Technology Museum Museum
Thus, the Ministry of Education initiated the event and commissioned the Taiwan Gender Equality Education Association to organize the event. Through the public invitation for local photography entries, the annual event Crossing the Bounds of Gender- Diversified Parenting Photography Exhibition aims to raise the aware of gender equality. The photography works goes beyond the stereotypes of gender definition to present the diversified parenting roles and family relations that have existing in our society for a long time. Through these photos, we aim to send out the messages to encourage the people in Taiwan to reexamine their ideas of gender and, in a wish, to bring society to recognize its diversified, empathetic, and multi-elemental aspects.
The invitation for photography entries is focused on several concepts, including "redefining family". Artists are encouraged to present different forms and combinations of families and the relationships are not restricted on blood relations. Parent-child, siblings, buddies that care for and learn from each other can also be a different kind of family relation or parenting roles. The broad-sense of family will allow the artists to record the interactions and bonds between people.
This exhibition presents diversified parenting through the angle of gender. It is the first photography show in Taiwan discussing this subject and we expect people to participate by catching the diversified, casual, cross-race, cross-generation, and non-stereotype stories in their lives through their cameras.
In addition to the entries from the general public, several works have been sent from school teachers and students. Therefore, the award-wining photos illustrated a diverse range of subjects, such as parent-child, siblings, teacher-students, camaraderie relationships, friends, and even the connections between human and animals. There are also images of migrant women, the aborigines, and foreign nursing care workers. The diversified content expands the possibility of emotional connection, as well as the meaning of "home". And the extended definition of gender roles will lead us to build a society with tolerance for diversity, empathy for the disadvantaged, and a bright future of happiness.
Up to the last day of entry (September 30th), a total of 274 photographic works have been received. The judges reviewed the entries in three stages, the preliminary, second, and final evaluation, and selected 51 pieces by October 14th. The selected photography works have been on a road show since late October and the first stop was at the Taipei City Youth Center. In December, the road show will come to Kaohsiung and the exhibition will be held from December 14th to 21st at the Temporary Exhibition Hall IV of the National Science and Technology Museum. There will also be forums to lead the visitors in a dialogue to discuss the presentations of the photography, as well as the issues of gender equality and pluralism in culture.