| Abstract: | 另類空間不僅在1980年代末的台灣美術發展上占有重要地位，更是現今觀察當代藝術發展和面貌的重要基地。台灣替代空間源自海外歸國藝術家援引西方模式所籌組的藝術家自營空間，作為當時既定體制的另外一種選擇，而alternative space在台灣語境下翻譯成替代空間被賦予反體制的意涵，究竟是空間的自發性意圖還是藝術圈的高度期待？空間意義和型態隨時間改變，「替代」論述的認知差異造成現今另類空間的營運現狀的質疑、討論，以及空間本身的生存矛盾。尤其，台灣另類空間自1980年代末創立至今20餘年，期間因應藝術環境需求，早已進行不同階段的轉型。是此，本研究目的，首先透過援引美國替代空間生成過程，對比台灣替代空間的發展，從政經背景和藝術生態等外部環境因素，重新釐清和梳理台灣另類空間生成和轉型之發展。第二，在於了解另類空間於2004年以法人化轉型作為其生存策略後，所發展出來的營運模式，藉此重新再現另類空間的當代角色和價值。 本研究採量化和質性研究，量化透過空間問券調查表對現存另類空間進行全面普查，包含空間性質、人力、財務結構和組織營運狀況四部分，呈現法人化後的營運現狀，並建構有效的量化數據。質性則透過文獻、深入訪談等資料探討另類空間發展脈絡，並以法人化後的三種轉型類型進行個案研究–商業性質的竹圍工作室、演藝團體的新樂園藝術空間、社團法人的台北當代藝術中心，探討個案的營運發展和課題。 研究結果發現，Alternative space在台灣語境下被翻譯成替代空間，僅具有西方替代空間的運作模式，而在響應社會議題的行動上，以及對既定體制的反動和改革上的實際作用是有限的，甚至沒有，反而著重藝術表現的純粹探究。其生成是一次「藝術自主化」與「自我權充」的關鍵進程，為當時的主流體制提供了另一種選擇；體制化是「主動爭取生存權」與「經濟自主」的開始，發展出多元與靈活的營運模式。
Alternative space not only shows its importance in art development in Taiwan around the late 1980’s, but also provides an important site for showcasing the development and status of contemporary art nowadays. The concept of alternative space, or space run by artists themselves, was brought from the Western side of the world by those artists who returned to Taiwan from overseas, and serves as an alternative choice to the mainstream system already established at the time. The term “alternative space” has been translated in Chinese in such a way that it possesses the meaning of “substitute space” in Taiwan, which has a rather anti-mainstream implication. It is unknown whether the translation of the term is a result of spontaneous intention or high expectation by the art world. As the nature and the meaning of space change along with the time, the misconception of the “substitute” has led to questions and debate regarding the operation of alternative space, as well as contradiction with respect to the existing need for the space. The alternative space in Taiwan, particularly, has undergone through different phases of transformation adapting with the changing art environment during the past 20 years or so since it was first brought out in the late 1980’s. Accordingly, this research aims to firstly compare the development process of alternative space between U.S., country from which the concept was originated, and Taiwan, and make clarification about the transformation and development in Taiwan by taking external environment factors, such as political background and art environment, into consideration; and secondly to understand the business operation of alternative space and the contemporary role and value it provides after it has been incorporated transformation in 2004 for survival purposes. This research uses both quantitative and qualitative methods of research. The quantitative method was done through the use of questionnaire, consisting of four areas – nature, manpower, financial structure, and operation with respect to the incorporated alternative space, as well as to construct the effective data. For the qualitative method, past literature contribution, in-depth interview and other information were used to gain understanding about how alternative space was developed. Case study was then performed on the three incorporated alternative space – Bamboo Curtain Studio (BCS), Shin Len Yuan Art Space (SLY), and Taipei Contemporary Art Centre (TCAC), where operational development and other related topics were further explored. According to our research findings, the term “alternative space” has been translated in Chinese in such a way that it possesses “substitute space” in Chinese meaning in Taiwan. Consequently, while the business operation of alternative space in Taiwan resembles that of the Western world, but there is lack of practical influence, if any influence at all, on action taken in response to controversial issues, or action against the extant system for reform purposes. Pure exploration of art presentation is emphasized instead. The introduction of alternative space is a key development progress as a result of art autonomy and as a temporary solution, which provides as an alternative choice to the mainstream system at the time. Institutionalization was brought out for the purposes of survival and for economic autonomy, which leads to a diversified and flexible business operation. |
