In the summer of 2012, lyricist Yung-Feng Chung visited Dun Ren Psychiatric Hospital in Yuanlin and was surprised to find no iron bars, unpleasant odors, or unsettling noises. The patients lived leisurely lives and were treated with respect. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he and composer Shiuan Chang revisited the hospital to learn how Dun Ren Hospital centers around patients, refining an internal support system through daily morning reflections and reviews. Inspired by this, Shiuan Chang composed a series of music, including folk songs and children’s songs, designed to connect with the patients’ memories, provide them comfort, and also document the composer’s ongoing internal dialogue and psychophysical reconstruction. The album’s name “Earthing” is derived from Dunren Hospital’s principle of “settling the earth and being humane”, and was released recently. The album is released on its official website, and steaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Invited by Shiuan Chang, artist Wu Chi-Tsung took on the role of art director for the album. He was captivated by the myriad perspectives unfolding at every turn, as well as by the depiction of contemporary ethos and the psychological landscape of modern life woven into the music. Through the familiar acts of “tearing” and “kneading” in his artistic process, Wu Chi-Tsung embodies the narrative perspective of “Earthing.” He metaphorically navigates life’s twists and turns and confronts its myriad challenges within the folded pages, utilizing a “visualized” textual arrangement to delve into life’s mysteries.
Preview the album on Apple Music --
https://music.apple.com/us/album/earthing/1728873225
