Foxgloves’ Ping Pong

Application summary

The project “Foxgloves’ Ping Pong” is a verse novel exploring the journey of foxgloves and their myths from Europe to Taiwan during and after the Meiji period. It examines the cultural and scientific impact of these plants, introduced by Japan to its colony, Taiwan, for their medicinal value and economic potential. The narrative delves into the assimilation of foxgloves into Taiwan’s indigenous knowledge system and the transformation of their European lore within the colonial context. The research aims to challenge perceptions of ‘economic plants’ and consider the possibilities for ecological harmony. The concept of rewilding is central, symbolizing the integration of foreign species into native ecosystems and crafting a poetic narrative on the domestication of such plants. The goal is to create poems reflecting the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, inspired by the historical significance of plants like Digitalis purpurea in scientific and cultural realms.