In the northeast coast of Taiwan, Longdong had once supported the prosperous culture of small abalone. This year, “Birth,” a strangely shaped and head-turning piece of installation art is a new addition to the place, which quietly protects young corals.

The installation art is inspired by the well-known phenomenon of global warming. Today, in 2021, below the sea level, the invisible impact of climate change has been brewing. In 2020, the water temperature of the ocean surrounding Taiwan hit a record high, and coral bleaching occurred throughout the island on the largest scale in decades. Even the coral reefs of the northeast coast that had never suffered from bleaching before were not spared.

From “nurturing life” to “birth,” artist helps Delta build the installation art of coral restoration

As Delta is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Delta Foundation that has long been devoting itself to climate issues starts working on the coral restoration project in the northeast coast in response to the Group’s environmental initiatives of “Nurturing Marine Life.” Besides collaborating with local team of experts in marine ecology, we called on corporate volunteers to assist in protecting corals and diving, and entrusted prestigious environmental artist Lee Kuei-Chih to create an installation art that incorporates natural wonders of mountains and seas beside the coral pond adopted by Delta. Its name “Birth” symbolizes the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and future coral reef resurgence.

“Birth” is an elliptical steel sculpture covering 6 square meters that has a narrow top and a broad bottom. Based on arcs and spirals commonly found in nature, Lee created a hexagon that can bear the force most equally. It echoes with the mysterious beauty of all things in nature and the oval shape reminds us of the process of birth, which can withstand the ceaseless trials of waves and weather round the clock.  Lee believes that humans have to figure out a way to coexist with nature after a long-term loss of balance between ecological conservation and industrial development. We hope the young corals in Delta’s coral pond will grow stronger day by day, and under the Birth’s watch they will mature one day and be ready to return to the vast ocean.

We hope the young corals in Delta’s coral pond will grow stronger day by day, and under the Birth’s watch they will mature one day and be ready to return to the vast ocean