Client

Overview

The Tashan Tree Of Light is a three story tall cascading and lighted beacon of hope crowned with glowing spires reaching to the seven continents and to heaven. George’s original signature whimsical designs, inspired by local folk art, evoke love, strength, roots, and hope. Our concept was to fire up a new source of art in the mountains – reconnecting and invigorating the local communities, rejuvenating tourist interest in the area’s nature, and fueling a healthy and prosperous linkage between the island’s coastal cities and the local tribe.

It sits at the mouth of a mountain valley running to the heart of the region, and was one of the hardest hit by the typhoon. George imagined and designed both the Tashan Tree of Light, and the companion Open Your Heart art sculptures for the village. These inspiring attractions would stand out as monuments, shining a bright new light on renewed community connection in the spirit of love, peace, and hope. They would create both literal and figurative gathering grounds helping to coax the community back together and sharing these blessings for all. Their creations would also create jobs, promote education, and further serve as fresh new long-standing tourist attractions.

Goals

Our goals were to inspire and connect with a landmark attraction in the village that could also become a center for art shows, events, and festivals that draw tourists in.

Process

Designed with our local producer and created with our Taiwanese build teams in the mountains of Laiji Village, 5 hours from Taipei.

Additional Information

George imagined and designed both the Tashan Tree of Light, and the companion Open Your Heart art sculptures for the village. Open Your Heart sits at the mouth of a mountain valley running to the heart of the region that was the hardest hit by a typhoon. Complementing the Tashan Tree of Light, Open Your Heart is a huge heart sculpture that shines like stained glass with the sun throughout the day, and beams from light within at night. At its center it features an especially poignant keyhole design symbolizing the promise of a heart unlocked and open to resolving difficulty and tension. It lives nestled within the ridiculously beautiful river valley in the indigenous village of Laiji in Taiwan’s Alishan mountains. We worked with our local producer and Taiwanese fabricators to create this heart-warming sculpture as a beacon of love shining out into a valley in need of connection. https://www.georgeberlin.com/openyourheart for more images and story