"Walking the Shoreline" is the theme for the 2024 Formosa North Coast Arts Festival, where over 17 contemporary artists are invited to present diverse land art and site-specific installations in the main and auxiliary exhibition areas of the Festival. This event also orchestrates a series of public activities, field studies, local engagement, community design, and joint effort among artistic villages, all consolidated into a multifaceted art project.

The North Coast Is a witness to the interplay of natural forces. Here, the lava from Datun volcano eruptions and the relentless erosion of seawater have sculpted a unique landscape, highlighting the confluence of various powerful elements. This ever-changing ancient landscape serves as a reminder of a grand temporal scale that predates the Anthropocene. Amidst this dynamic interplay, the North Coast has become a habitat. On the platforms formed by igneous rocks, people started cultivating the land, and the shifting shoreline created intertidal zones that nurtured rich ecosystems which then became crucial stopovers for migratory birds.

The "shoreline" refers to the frontier of the coast, a dynamic intersection where water meets earth. This shoreline has never been a fixed line. It shifts with the ebb and flow of the tides, constantly advancing and retreating. This perpetual movement signifies change, relocation, and constant redefinition. It is precisely the oscillation of the shoreline that creates a zone brimming with potential, such as the intertidal area and sea erosion platforms that foster rich ecosystems. The ever-changing nature of the shoreline also offers a unique potential for habitation.

Using the “shoreline” as metaphor, this theme not only references the landscape of the North Coast shaped by the interplay of various natural forces but also symbolizes contemporary art as a way of surveying and mapping the terrain. With nature's coordinates as its lens, it transcends administrative boundaries so the rich and multifaceted natural and cultural aspects of the North Coast could be captured through various methods.

Just as the "shoreline" creates a space brimming with possibilities through its continual redefinition, we envision the Festival through this coastal ecosystem: an intertidal zone of diverse artistic production and a bay of converging creativity. Spanning three weeks in total, the Festival will extend across specific locations in Jinshan, Wanli, Shihmen, and Sanzhi along the North Coast by inviting artists to create works that reflect different facets of this region. In addition to large-scale outdoor installations, the Festival will feature a variety of site-specific creations and public activities. Furthermore, local groups and artistic communities along the North Coast are all connected to launch a series of workshops, guided walks, explorations and discussion sessions. These activities will delve into the local cultural history and natural environment of the North Coast. Through the unique sensory experiences of contemporary art, the 2024 Formosa North Coast Arts Festival aims to guide the audience into redrawing this abundant coastal line with the theme of "Walking the Shoreline."