NCKU’s Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing Unveils Public Art Installation “Twin Totem”-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

NCKU’s campus public art collection welcomes a new addition! The “Twin Totem” public art installation at the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM), organized by NCKU Art Center, held its inauguration ceremony on August 25 at Tzu-Chiang Campus. The event was attended by a distinguished group of guests, including Chairman Bing-Sheng Wu of Himax Technologies, the donor of AISSM; NCKU Executive Vice President Yong-Chun Lee and Senior Vice President Bing-Sheng Wu; faculty from the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of Electrical Engineering, and the College of Semiconductor; experts from the Ministry of Culture’s public art program; the artist team OPEN Lab; and the curatorial and production team from LeZhi Cultural & Creative Co., Ltd.

Following the official opening of AISSM on November 9, 2022, Chairman Bing-Sheng Wu personally attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “Twin Totem” installation. Returning to his alma mater, he expressed delight in reuniting with faculty and alumni from the Department of Electrical Engineering and offered high praise for this innovative artwork.

Executive Vice President Yong-Chun Lee noted that AISSM provides expanded teaching and research spaces for both the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Semiconductor, and expressed sincere gratitude for Chairman Wu’s generous support. He further emphasized the significance of the installation for NCKU, recalling that more than twenty years ago, public art on Tzu-Chiang Campus included works such as The Gatekeepers near the entrance on University Road and The Grand Duet on the main lawn. These artworks have infused the campus with rich humanistic and artistic qualities, contributing to a more holistic educational environment. The concept behind “Twin Totem” integrates engineering and art, aligning with NCKU’s vision of comprehensive education. Its nighttime illumination adds a distinctive aesthetic to Tzu-Chiang Campus, reflecting NCKU’s commitment to balancing technological advancement with humanistic values while aspiring to world-class standards.

Located at the heart of Tzu-Chiang Campus, AISSM is flanked by the Electrical Engineering Department to the right and the Chemical Engineering Department to the left. In 2016, the building was generously funded with over NT$100 million by Chairman Wu, setting a record as the youngest alumnus donor for a major gift in NCKU’s history. The building’s name, “Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing,” derives from one character each from the names of Chairman Wu’s parents: “Qi” (啟), meaning to inspire, and “Duan” (端), symbolizing integrity and origin—reflecting a vision that combines technological progress with humanistic care. The “Twin Totem” installation embodies this spirit.

The physical artwork measures 840 × 215 cm and is designed to harmonize with the surrounding architecture and environment. Positioned above the entrance lobby of AISSM, the piece revitalizes the engineering-focused campus buildings while inviting viewers to look upward and engage in reflective, aesthetic contemplation.

Conceptually, the artist team explored the interplay between “virtual space” and “physical objects.” Using metal to convey rationality and technological elements, they began with circular forms and developed them through points, lines, planes, and volumes, ultimately creating a three-layered sculptural relief. By framing corresponding views from the virtual model, the artwork allows interaction via smartphones or VR devices, offering an immersive, surreal experience. Viewers can traverse the space of the objects and the installation, revealing rich visual imagery, sensory engagement, and imaginative spatial perception.

Through “Twin Totem,” the artist team aims not only to reflect a moment in time but also to symbolize connection and communication—linking the campus, the environment, and a sustainable vision for the future, conveying boundless possibilities ahead.