LEGEND OF THE SEA

Legend of the Sea, 2022. Metal and fabric. Pingtung County, Taiwan.13m(L) X 7m(W) X 13m(H).

Sea travel dates back over 7000 BC. The earliest evidence of sea travel is claimed by modern day nations like Australia, China and countries of the Near East among them. It was the creation of sailing boats like the Austronesian (Balatik), the Polynesian double-hulled canoes, the Phoenician ships, and the Viking ships that allowed the brave and curious to explore the deep oceans and discover new lands. The sailors traveled around the world exploring, trading, and exchanging stories of their discoveries that later became legends. This trade between nations often required maritime travel in unpredictable weather, which resulted in shipwrecks and sinkings. Some of these accidents were attributed to sea monsters and unknown mythical creatures.
One of the most outstanding legends is about a giant creature with tentacles present in Norwegian folklore, Ainu folklore, Asian and Native American mythology, and traditions of ancient Hawaii. This creature is known by many names, like Hafgufa, Akkorokamui, Cecaelia, Kanaloa, or Kraken.

On this occasion, I want to represent this mythical creature and bring it back to its physical realm. I want the people who encounter this installation to remember these stories that have been present from our childhood dreams to the present day. These stories have traveled with sailors of our ancestors and will continue traveling through the wind with our voices as we continue the oral tradition of storytelling.

All the fabric is repurposed material donated by Yee Chain International Co.