There is no rejection in love.

I, Liu Chun-Liang, who, after completing Jinwanwan’s mini artist-in-residency and performance project (Sixty-Second “I Love You” and The Sum of all these Love), had the honor to be in oneness with everything in the universe – I was COVID positive! 

After days of running practices under the rain, my immune system was weakened. Then, for Sunday's performance, I didn't wear a mask… that's quite a possibility. I can clearly remember that when I left Jinwanwan, I was startled as I touched the inside of my ear without washing my hands first.

A mask has both protection and isolation functions. Do all performance and interrogative propositions related to love should include acceptance with no rejection? 

I was invited to Jinwanwan to study “love stories” or issues related to communities and connections in a more ambiguous sense, like the encounter between light and multi-prism mirror. Sometimes, one just get bewildered by the reflected iris in the surrounding. 

I was thinking about what can this business building sell or provide for the artists. When there is not many passersby, we had to develop other strategies, so I used my friend Issay Rodriguez’s translated questionnaire and wandered around to talk with others. I kept counting the number of stores on the first and second floor of the Jinwanwan building (during weekdays, there are no more than 12 stores per floor) and tried as much as possible to say hi (it looked very suspicious when you do nothing around.) In this way, you can feel the ambiance. And draw. And stretch.

Love stories seem to be very distant. What about “love”?

Every day, the smell was different - the smell of the dye and perm from the hairdresser or the food aroma when it approaches the weekend. On Sundays, food was provided in the glass cabinets outside the store regardless of the type of store. Even in the narrowest store, someone would be sitting inside – women at work and some men who idled around. There is a kid with mental illness who run in the corridor, while his busy mother tied him with a rope. 

Just asking. Where can I buy spices? Do you think that I, being a seafood-vegan, can survive in the Philippines? Do you think Taiwanese men are friendly to women? The known fact being repeated is quite upsetting. For example, someone told me how he was being ignored in the metro station when asking for a direction and that Taiwanese are friendliest to white people.

There must be interrogatives and connections beyond nationalities. Tear off the labels for now.

How can we imagine love? Who got a new boyfriend after separating from the spouse? (Marriage regulations in Catholic countries are the threshold criteria for relationship studies). Who else is single? An almost 50-year-old single housework migrant told me: “You’re quite pretty so you’ll get a boyfriend." "I've done a questionnaire for another Chinese girl. She’s pretty and I hope she’s married.”

I know the way that the wind blows, so I just ignored her mix-up of China and Taiwan. Some issues would trigger others' interest, like me, being single for a long time. Some people think that "Taiwanese don't like commitment", while others believe it's men's problem. The 8-year-single mom slashed housework migrant believed that the Philippines in Taiwan are not trustworthy as most of them are married; they are just looking for booty calls. The lingering concerns and numerous long-distance relationships are all in the close-knitted network – those with families (people who haven’t come back home for three years as they don’t have money to buy air tickets), with lovers (only two years in the Philippines), with children (the family of the wife would usually raise them). Of course, there are reunions. The three sisters working in different cities would gather in Taipei or the birthday gathering of a friend. As the partner is far away, one gets a Filipino boyfriend in Taiwan. 

In your opinion, what kind of animal are you when you’re in love? If you have (had) a dog, usually you would think of yourself as a dog when you are in love. Some others would relate themselves to a tortoise, with a heavy shell, just like love as a burden and protection.

How to love? I was trying to figure out this question on Sunday’s performance.

I spent sixty seconds staring at a stranger. With the help of all others, I walked and sang on the second floor in Jinwanwan with Bluetooth. This was a flowing party; we became friends as we moved together.

If you sang the song Can't Take My Eyes Off You with me in Jinwanwa, thank you for resonating with me. If you princess-hug (the Chinese way to say arm carry) me, thank you for that, too. That was the closest moment that I’ve ever had as a princess.

When we’re willing to look at each other, love exists. When we can’t, keep trusting that love is there.

I still don't know what love is, but one day, I will learn not to reject any incoming. 

Maybe one day, the relationships between people is just between people.

Love may be at that little, tiny gap.

Note: English content of the questionnaire is provided below

Hello,

My name is Chun-liang Liu. I am a Taiwanese artist based in booth 163 in Wan Wan Building. I’m conducting research about love and romance, to be more precise, love in general. I would like to invite you to answer the following questions. And if you’re happy to participate further, I’ll create a fragrance out of these answers. You don’t have to answer them all, but if you feel like to, that’d be cool.  I’ll exhibit some of the answers in booth 163, but it’ll be anonymous.You can also exchange your answers with a little bit of physical therapy (without physical contact). Please feel free to drop by at booth 163 for a cup of tea, coffee, maybe a little bit of alcohol, and some conversations. If I’m not there, feel free to call me at +886-922-595-046.

Question 1:

How long have you been here in Taiwan?

Question 2:

Are you currently in a relationship? Or maybe multiple ones?

Question 3:

Is there anyone/anything that you miss the most?

Question 4:

What would you like to say to them (the persons/things…etc that you miss)?

Question 5:

Do you feel loved?

Questions 6:

If there is a specific “animal” that you identify with the most when you feel you are loving, what would that be?

Thank you for taking the time to read and answer any of the questions.
I look forward to meeting you in person.

P.S. Although I’m researching about love, I've actually been single for a very long time. If there are any tips on how to meet new people and fall in love, please feel free to drop by and share them as well!

Best wishes,
Chun-liang