Taipei Fine Arts Museum
28 June - 28 September 2025
Writer: So your story does have a happy ending.
Adult Pi Patel: Well, that's up to you.
– Life of Pi
An “open ending” refers to a story without a definitive conclusion, a path leading to an unknown destination. It leaves the literary or dramatic text in suspense, granting the viewer freedom to interpret. This way, the story is not merely a pre-imposed answer template in the traditional viewing experience but rather a two-way dialogue between the viewer and the creator. Just like at the end of Life of Pi, where director Ang Lee posed the question through the protagonist Pi to the writer/viewer beyond the screen: “Which story do you prefer?”
Since last fall, TFAM has been transforming its underground space from a traditional “white cube” gallery into a unique art cinema. Through cross-disciplinary curatorial collaborations, we have invited prominent visual artists and filmmakers from Asia and Europe to curate a “mini-film festival” featuring a selection of rare single-channel video works. These include seldom-seen video art, short films, documentaries, art films, experimental films, and animated shorts. Unlike mainstream narrative feature films, these works often lack specific plot direction or strong emotional rendering. Instead, they offer open-ended reflections on contemporary issues and explore various experimental cinematic techniques.
An Open Ending: TFAM Screening Project seeks to expand upon the familiar cinematic/dramatic concept of an “open ending” by presenting a variety of themes and film lists combinations throughout the exhibition period to open up more imaginations and possibilities. This“openness” not only encourages viewers to form their own interpretations but also deconstructs traditional cinematic forms, pays homage to alternative film movements, and challenges conventional definitions of art. In this space, directors and artists craft the narrative, while viewers are invited to define the conclusion.