Incense

Temples take up an important mission in Taiwanese society. They are not only symbols of religious belief and cultural strongholds, but also places for emotion convergence of local people.

"Incense" plays multiple roles in the Shilin Shennong Temple (Taipei City, Taiwan). Each plume of smoke from the burning incenses is like the subtle connection between the Deities and human being, which reflects the devoutness towards divine and the faith and hope for life. These lines interweave, with a fluid form and floaty visual presence, guide worshippers into a state of meditation and contemplation, and create a spiritual atmosphere for communicating with the Deities.

Through this artwork, artist Ching-ke Lin takes deep dive into the new roles and meanings of religious art in modern society. The piece becomes a bridge that connects the past and future, tradition and innovation, and humanity and divinity, presenting the profound integration of traditional culture and temple beliefs in Taiwan.

There are three patios inside the temple, each with an ‘‘incense’’ artwork bearing unique style and symbolization. From left to right, they are Yuanbaos (shoe-shaped ingots), symbol of wealth; rice ears, symbol of harvest; and Tai-Suey (God of the Year) talisman, symbol of safety, respectively. Along with the transition of day and night and the change of shadows and light, these artworks seem to weave an enchanting scene in the space.