Su Yu Hsin
Particular Waters
UP Gallery
Hsinchu City, Taiwan

Situated in Hsinchu, the heart of the semiconductor industry, UP Gallery aims to provide audiences with a unique perspective on their livelihood and work through this intriguing film. Particular Waters explores critical themes relevant to the local and global community, particularly focusing on the environmental impact of the semiconductor industry’s water usage. In this approximately 20-minute film, we follow the protagonist, a truck driver tasked with transporting water from various locations to the factory, mirroring the actions of TSMC during the 2021 drought induced by climate change. The narrative takes a turn as the driver defies her instructions, performing an act of resistance that benefits both humans and river ecology. This poignant act highlights the necessity of addressing the surge in water demand of the semiconductor industry and the broader implications of environmental stewardship.

The film delves into the intricacies of global telecommunications and the AI industry, which heavily relies on TSMC for its precision and scale. Amidst escalating US-China tensions, there is a noticeable shift towards onshoring production and re-establishing manufacturing sites in the US, Japan, and Europe. Local activist groups have raised concerns over TSMC’s massive water consumption, its undermining of farmer’s water rights, and environmental degradation.

Particular Waters was developed in collaboration with Prof. Ya-Chung Chuang of the National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, providing valuable insights through rigorous field research.