Fulfilling Life Encountered in Kaohsiung / 蕭克力思多夫 在高雄遇見精彩人生
Fulfilling Life Encountered in Kaohsiung
◎English Text by Chen Kuan-chun
◎Photo by Yang Chan-hua
Martin C. Assmann and his Taiwanese wife Corsa Hsiao are both passionate about art. The Walls of their home are covered with paintings they have created in their free time. Most of Assmann's works are either abstract or scenic. People are rarely featured in his paintings. The personification of the four animals in his famous Bremen Town Musicians is clearly an exception. This year both Assmann and Hsiao submitted art for the 2009 Kaohsiung International Container Arts Festival (recently held on Pier-2 Art District) and the Workers and Fisherwomen Painting Competition. Although their work wasn't selected, they've decided to try again next year.
Assmann's trading company is what originally brought him to Kaohsiung and the numerous subsequent business trips afterwards. Although he doesn't like the night markets, he credits them for being the place where he met his lovely wife. After he met Hsiao he decided to relocate to Kaohsiung. They have now been married for more than two years and spend every minute of their day together. "The longest time we were apart today was when I went out to buy cigarettes at the store around the corner" Assmann said with a smile. He also added they have their cultural differences but these differences have contributed to a number of interesting chats.
Although Assmann doesn't have any particular recommendations for newcomers in Kaohsiung, he enjoys going to the Art Market at the Cultural Center every weekend. They have set up a stall to display their art there. Although, none of the work is for sale, they use it as a medium to exchange ideas with others. He added the Taiwanese are very shy and so far no one has shared their opinions with him about his art. Next time you're at the Cultural Center on the weekend, don't forget to stop by and share your critique with Martin and Corsa!
蕭克力思多夫
在高雄遇見精彩人生
◎文／楊蟬華
◎攝影／鮑忠暉
蕭克力思多夫(Martin C. Assmann ）和台灣籍的太太蕭瑞枝都熱愛藝術，家中的牆壁掛滿了兩人閒暇時的創作，大致上說來，蕭克力思多夫的油畫幾乎都是幾何圖形，少有具像的風景與人物，德國家鄉聞名的「不萊梅的音樂隊」(Bremen Town Musicians）故事中出現的四隻動物，是他油畫作品中少數一辨即明的例外。
蕭克力思多夫在高雄從事貿易工作，因為工作的關係常常來到高雄，結下與高雄的淵源。他不喜歡逛台灣夜市，卻在夜市中遇見了決定攜手共度一生的另一半，並開始了他在高雄的定居生活，兩人結婚至今已經２年多，一天24小時幾乎都在一起。採訪當日，蕭克力思多夫笑著說：「今天我們分別最久的時間，大概就是我到巷口的便利超商買菸的時候。」太太一聽，嘴角也不自覺往上揚。蕭克力思多夫表示，兩人來自不同的文化背景，探索著彼此的文化差異，總讓他們有聊不完的話題。
夫妻倆不僅是藝術創作與事業上的夥伴，兩人甚至一同參加甫於駁二藝術特區結束展覽的「2009國際貨櫃藝術節」以及「漁婦與工人」繪圖創作徵稿。雖然今年他們的創作沒有入選展覽，但蕭克力思多夫說他們仍會持續創作，打算明年再次參加。
當被問到建議乍到高雄的外國人到哪一遊時，蕭克力思多夫嘴巴上說沒有哪裡是一定要去的，卻每逢假日便和太太固定到高雄市文化中心的藝術市集擺攤，以他們的藝術創作與觀賞者分享、交流，為的並不是賣出作品，而是藉由藝術與人溝通。他說台灣人太害羞了，至今還沒有台灣人上前跟他溝通對他創作的想法。如果下次你正好經過文化中心，記得鼓起勇氣和蕭克力思多夫交換一下你對藝術的看法。
Energy and Passion-Ogita Kanae's Kaohsiung Experience
◎English Text by Chen Kuan-chun
◎Photo by Pao Chung-hui
Ogita Kanae is from Hachioji City, Japan, (one of Kaohsiung's sister cities) and has been selected to attend a month long exchange program at Kaohsiung City Government. Some of her daily duties include reception of foreign guests, meeting with different bureaus and getting a better understanding of how to manage civic affairs.
Kanae arrived in Kaohsiung on February 19th, while it was still Chinese New Year. She said she could feel the whole city was immersed in a festive holiday atmosphere. She was also impressed with the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, including its variety of activities, lantern exhibits, concerts, and dance performances.
Although she hasn't been in Kaohsiung for long, she has attended many events. She participated in the Kaohsiung 2010 International Marathon, MIZUNO Cup. Many Japanese runners from Hachioji City also attended this event. Kanae enjoyed joining them and showing her support. It also gave her a chance to see the Main Stadium of the World Games 2009, the starting point of the Marathon. She was amazed by the splendid architecture of the stadium.
Kanae also praises the 1999 hotline, set up by the Kaohsiung City Government. She applauds the fact that the hotline has hired so many physically and mentally challenged people. With the proper training, they will be able assist their fellow citizens. The hotline has also provided a channel of communication for people to express their concerns. Kanae has also sampled a number of restaurants around Kaohsiung. Her favorites include seafood, dumpling soup and tea eggs. She also plans to take back pineapple cakes for her friends in Japan.
She feels that although Kaohsiung is a big city, the people are very friendly. She was also surprised to see so many scooters on the roads. Kaohsiung's earthquake of the century will also be an unforgettable experience. When asked how she feels about Kaohsiung, she responded it exudes energy and passion. She would recommend anyone to visit Kaohsiung, particularly during the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival.
充滿能量與熱情
荻田‧佳苗的高雄經驗
◎文／侯雅婷
◎攝影／鮑忠暉
來自高雄市的姐妹市－日本八王子市市政府的荻田‧佳苗，被選派到高雄市政府進行為期一個月的觀摩實習。平日，荻田除了在市政府國際事務科協助接待外賓等相關事宜，還拜會市府各局處，學習推動市政。
荻田在２月19日來到高雄，正好是台灣的農曆新年，荻田感受街上充滿喜氣的節慶裝飾和濃濃的年味。對於元宵節期間舉辦的高雄燈會，荻田留下深刻、美好的印象，她大力稱讚高雄燈會相當具有吸引力，除了燈會本身的活動，還有演唱會、舞蹈表演等許多不同類型的活動，讓參觀的遊客都能盡興而歸。
儘管來高雄的時間並不長，但是荻田已經參加了高雄許多大型活動，包括２月28日舉辦「高雄國際馬拉松」，日本八王子市也有許多的馬拉松好手參加，荻田當然不能錯過到場為選手們加油的機會。由於馬拉送松的地點在高雄世運主場館，她也一睽世運主場館的壯觀，並讚嘆宏偉建築的令人驚豔！
此外，荻田肯定高雄市政府設置「1999話務中心」積極服務民眾的作為。她觀察到市政府雇用了許多身心障礙者，透過訓練，讓他們有機會為民服務，同時，她也盛讚1999話務中心是提供民眾反應各種意見的最佳管道。
除了友善的民眾以及眾多的機車族讓荻田頗感驚訝之外，３月初，剛好遇上高雄百年少有的大地震，也成了她難忘的高雄經驗。
造訪了旗津、中山大學等地方，品嚐了她喜歡的海鮮、小籠包和茶葉蛋等，荻田以充滿「能量」和「熱情」來形容高雄這個城市，還計劃要選購鳳梨酥作為致贈日本友人的伴手禮。對於要來高雄旅遊的朋友，荻田的建議是一定要在高雄燈會期間來，千萬不要錯過了別具魅力的高雄燈會。