TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan's Art Aquarium goldfish art exhibition is coming to Taiwan on Nov. 25, but while it promises beauty, concerns have also been raised about potential harm to the fish.
The exhibition features an innovative blend of the traditional Japanese art of goldfish appreciation, dating back to the Edo period from 1603 to 1868, and modern art. By combining light, music, fragrance, and elements of Japanese traditional culture, it offers stunning displays of goldfish in themed environments, per Tatler.
The exhibition has been showcased in Milan, Italy, and Shanghai, China. However, the upcoming show has also faced criticism from Taiwanese animal welfare advocates, per CNA.
A post from a Taiwanese Facebook page, known for promoting fish-keeping knowledge, accused Art Aquarium of animal cruelty. It cited concerns about lighting conditions, fish density, and the lack of natural environments for the fish.
The original clause specifying the applicability of cultural coins for this exhibition has been removed from the Taiwanese regulations. Cultural coins were issued to youth aged 18-21 for arts and cultural consumption, per Culture Points.
The Taipei City Animal Protection Office informed the page on Wednesday (Oct. 16) that the exhibition tank is exempt from Taiwan's animal exhibition laws due to its water volume being less than 30 tons. However, due to the existence of the Animal Protection Act, authorities are contacting experts to seek advice on fish care standards and to liaise with exhibition curators.
The post has since received over 450 shares. Pan Shih-ying (潘世瑩), previous veterinarian at the Penghu Aquarium, echoed these concerns.
Pan pointed out that goldfish can perceive a wider range of colors than humans. Previous exhibition photos show goldfish constantly exposed to different types of lighting.
While flash photography is prohibited at the exhibition, the strong, continuous lights, similar to flashlights, can still be very harmful to fish. Additionally, colors like blue and purple are highly stimulating and particularly harmful.
Art Aquarium made its debut in Tokyo in 2007 and has since held limited-time exhibitions in various locations throughout Japan each year. A permanent exhibition was established in Ginza, Tokyo, in May 2022.
Aside from the deep connection between goldfish and Japanese culture, the exhibition also showcases the interplay of goldfish and the four seasons. The centerpiece is “Obimai,” a giant goldfish tank that pays homage to the traditional Japanese obi dance, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns.
Pan pointed out that the high density of fish in the tanks can stress fish. Normally, fish would swim around or hide in decorations.
Tanks are clear and empty based on past exhibition photos of Art Aquarium, limiting the fish's natural behaviors and potentially impacting their health. The filtration system's effectiveness is uncertain, and waste and water quality need monitoring, Pan noted.
The Art Aquarium raises important questions about the ethical implications of using animals in art displays. Pan suggests reducing fish density and adjusting lighting to improve conditions.
Taiwan has made significant progress in live animal exhibitions over recent years, Pan said. Given past media coverage in Japan highlighting concerns about fish health at Art Aquarium exhibitions, Pan hopes future exhibitions in Taiwan can adopt more animal-friendly practices.
