jailcd2015078: Development of a Research Framework for the Study of the Graphical Language of Taiwanese Aboriginal Tribe

Abstract

Under the rapid process of globalization, the idea of sustainable development includes the socio-cultural aspect of the urban development. It considers the importance of establishing multi-cultural environment and maintaining the existence of diverse ethnic groups with their local value and tradition. Though the Aboriginal history and culture is considered to be a major source of Taiwanese ethnic cultural development, the single mainstream value of the society was mainly dominated by the Han culture which resulted in the graduate disappearance of the distinct aboriginal culture and heritage. Researches initiated in the field of ethnic culture mainly emphasize in understanding the differences and peculiarities of a specific ethnic group. Ethnic culture can be recognized as a symbolic system with the cultural activities translated as messages to be conveyed. Observations found that Taiwanese aboriginal culture has a rich language on the interpretation and denotation of form and graphic. This study attempts to develop a research framework that first classifies and analyzes the collected data using the concept of typology, and then applies the logic of semiotics to extract signs and graphics that denote the group image of the aboriginal tribe. Finally the key elements and graphical structure could be listed and constructed using the theory of morphology. Through the understanding of aboriginal tribes and exploring the symbolic relationship between people, object and activities, the implementation of aboriginal tribes’ graphical language in architectural design could be possible.