“Twin Totem”— Two Inauguration Events at Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing at the End of August-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

How do you perceive space—through your eyes, your hands, your ears, your nose, or your memory? Now, you can also experience it through virtual reality (VR). NCKU’s latest public art installation, Twin Totem, will be unveiled over two consecutive days next week at the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM) on Tzu-Chiang Campus. On Sunday, August 24, three guided tours of the artwork, accompanied by a one-day exhibition and VR experience, will be held, inviting the public to explore the immersive interplay between physical and virtual art and gain insight into the artist’s creative process. The official unveiling ceremony on Monday, August 25, will be open to all visitors without prior registration.

The AISSM, part of NCKU’s College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, officially opened in 2022. Situated between the Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering Departments, it provides a hub for interdisciplinary learning and innovation. Twin Totem was commissioned by NCKU’s Art Center and realized by the artist team OPEN Lab. The installation is prominently displayed above the entrance lobby on the first floor and consists of multiple layered metal sculptures.

In this work, the artists explore the interaction between virtual and physical objects. They construct digital models to perceive spatial relationships via VR and capture two-dimensional perspectives (framing) to translate them into three-dimensional sculptures. This process transforms flat forms into sculptures that convey rich visual imagery, multisensory experiences, and compelling spatial imagination.

To promote public art and engage the community, the artist team organized two workshops and a one-day exhibition, allowing participants to experience “memory space” through VR. On July 11, the first workshop, Design Thinking Workshop for Souvenir Development, centered on memory. Participants shared objects and stories in rotation, reflecting on how physical public art can embody the memory of a space. The second workshop, held on August 1—Perceiving Space Creation + VR Immersive Experience—guided participants to construct representations of everyday spaces on paper using building blocks, which were then converted into digital models linked to VR headsets. This enabled participants to immerse themselves in the spaces they created, offering a novel sensory experience and fostering a deeper understanding of the relationships among virtual and physical spaces, emotions, and objects—all while conveying the conceptual essence of Twin Totem in a relatable, everyday context.

In addition to the workshops, three guided tours will be conducted in the AISSM lobby on Sunday, August 24. The exhibition will feature digital documents, audio recordings, interview transcripts, and original sketches, documenting the team’s creative process from conception, design, and installation to hosting workshops. VR equipment will be available on-site, allowing visitors to step directly into the artwork’s virtual space. For detailed exhibition schedules and guided tour reservations, please refer to the NCKU Art Center’s Facebook page.