The story of "Song of the Forest"
Artist: Wang, Wen-chih
Year of erection: 2025
Materials: wood, railway track, steel, bronze, stone,aluminum
Erecting Agency: Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture.
Production by: YYL Art Studio
Collaboration with: Lin Shen-lu, Lin Cheng-fong, Chen Chai-cheng, Cheng Huei Steel Ltd., Ker Fong International Ltd., Cheng Mou Wood Ltd., Shiang Rei Electric Ltd., Hong Da Communication Ltd.
Concept:
"Song of the Forest" rises as a sculptural tower where nature and memory intertwine in quiet harmony. Drawing inspiration from Alishan's sacred trees and historic mountain railway, its layered wooden beams soar skyward, evoking the strength of ancient forests and Chiayi's legacy as a lumber capital.
A woven bronze dome opens to the sky, inviting con-templation of drifting clouds, celestial rhythms, and the passage of time. A delicately braided aluminum path unfolds like a hidden mountain trail, guiding visi-tors into a symbolic forest interior. The stone filled steel base anchors the structure in the landscape, repre-senting the enduring bond between forest and earth.
Many materials were reclaimed in collaboration with Taiwan's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. This art work honors Chiayi's identity as the "City of Forest," transforming the work into a living landmark of renewal and remembrance.
Here, birdsong, distant train whistles, and visitors' soft steps blend into a quiet symphony that resonates through the forest.