The Unfinished
Chienn Tai
Advisor: Simone Salvo
The Unfinished is an original music score to the archive pictures of the 228 Massacre and the White Terror that followed, marking the beginning of this journey in fighting for Taiwan’s independence. The moment it is made public, it will be banned, making it unfinished.

Project Description
What makes things unfinished? Aspects may include finance (funding sources, financial capability,) side projects and errands, life, health, and mental blockage (perfectionism), preference (inclination not to have a closure, etc.), which can be traced back to and open up the discussion for even further, systemic and social questions: financial limitation might be a reflection of classism, elitism, racism, gender inequality etc. Mental blockage may be based on a person’s family background, how they are raised and formed in society, what encouragement and discouragement they have received, and their cultural background may differ. Life, health, and many more aspects may lead to several scenarios where people do not finish their [things].
The author traces the root of “not finishing” to her Taiwanese identity, where she finds out there is a similar mentality and situation with Taiwan’s ever-ongoing, unfinished status to be recognized as a country without exterior threats.
The unfinished/ongoing movement of human rights and freedom of the native Taiwanese people (indigenous people, early settlers during/after the Dutch colonization, Hakka speaking groups, and Taiwanese speaking groups) continues its way till the present, as of now in 2025. With the island having gone through the White Terror Period (1949-1992) of repressive rule and martial law over four decades, the Taiwanese have a long way to pave while protecting their democracy and freedom, facing suppression from the entire world (not recognized as a country,) preparing themselves against China (CCP)’s ongoing military and legislative threats, and safeguarding its economic and geopolitical importance.
Technical Details
Short film (archive pictures banned for 38 years)
Original score (Daw: Logic; Samples: self-recorded +East West)
Hit points, spotting, tempting the scene, composing, orchestration, mixing, music editing.
The Unfinished Extract:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXQv59TIl8s
-Content warning:
Politically sensitive material—includes discussion or depictions that may be distressing.
-Trigger warning:
Contains graphic images of death and human remains related to historical violence.

Research/Context
“Thinking Starts from Claiming your Authentic Voice” published TED Talk (2016) by Chienn Tai
“Nineteen and imprisoned: the Part of the White Terror We Seldom Talk About” publisehd article journal (2018) by Chienn Tai
https://taidajournal.tumblr.com/post/178876761494/nineteen-and-imprisoned-the-part-of-the-white