First, something about me. I live in Taipei, and I love zooming down – island on High Speed Rail trains for quick day – trip explorations of Taiwan’s to downtown Kaohsiung in just 90 minutes – the future, already here! My wife (she’s Taiwanese) and I most enjoy walkabout and rented – bicycle city touring. My mom / pop-in-law often tag along, and there’s nothing Dad likes better than hiring a local taxi for a half – day meander. These guys, he says, “know all the inside stuff.”
One thing we see eye – on – eye on (actually, he’s right about the taxi drivers, and I enjoy this style as well) is that Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Art Center (www.pier-2.khcc.gov.tw) is one of the city – tour launch point, for me a half – day – plus end in itself, because there are so many attractions within this attraction.
As the authoritative CNN Go has said, Kaohsiung, “Once known mainly for its industrial harbor…has grown into a hub of art and culture.” Pier-2 Art Center, expensive and still growing, is at the heart of this cultural – creative bloom. CNN Go says the city has “the largest port and the coolest art, “and the still – young special zone, opened in the early 2000s, has become one of Kaohsiung most popular cultural attractions. The 14 old, renovated Kaohsiung Harbor warehouses here (with more to come), long abandoned, were formerly used store such treasures as fish meal and granulated sugar. Today, they are dedicated to cultural – arts creation and treasure displays, including exhibits, live musical / theatrical shows, and large – scale outdoor installation artworks and graffiti – style murals.
Outdoor Art Treasure Hunt
Here are my four favorite Pier-2 installation artworks, among the scores. Go find them.
Here are my four favorite Pier-2 installation artworks, among the scores. Go find them.
A 3D – mural train seeming to burst from the wall of a warehouse.
A picture – perfect single – plot rice paddy, in the large square between two sets of warehouses, that bursts with bright green when the rice is ripe – a celebration of the south’s proud rural heritage.
A giant yellow transformer seemingly standing as protector over the (to – be – mentioned) bike path.
A “sound tree” with copper bells hanging from a massive scrap – metal trunk – a celebration of Kaohsiung’s industrial past/present.
In one warehouse is the Kaohsiung Museum of Labor (museum_new.kcg.gov.tw). Half of another – the roof was first damaged by fire and then removed to create an “open box” for under – the – sky entertainment – is now the Kaohsiung base for The Wall (thewall.tw/grounds/pier2), synonymous with Taiwan’s indie – music scene. There are also arts and crafts boutiques showcasing independent Taiwan cultural – creative design talent.
End your day when your tummy says it’s time in yet another warehouse given new life, home to Pasadena Italian House(it.pasadena.com.tw), a bright neon – and – tiffany restaurant in the North American mode. Be sure to buy the award – winning, island wide – renowned walnut and dried longan bread at the on – site bakery.
A picture – perfect single – plot rice paddy, in the large square between two sets of warehouses, that bursts with bright green when the rice is ripe – a celebration of the south’s proud rural heritage.
A giant yellow transformer seemingly standing as protector over the (to – be – mentioned) bike path.
A “sound tree” with copper bells hanging from a massive scrap – metal trunk – a celebration of Kaohsiung’s industrial past/present.
In one warehouse is the Kaohsiung Museum of Labor (museum_new.kcg.gov.tw). Half of another – the roof was first damaged by fire and then removed to create an “open box” for under – the – sky entertainment – is now the Kaohsiung base for The Wall (thewall.tw/grounds/pier2), synonymous with Taiwan’s indie – music scene. There are also arts and crafts boutiques showcasing independent Taiwan cultural – creative design talent.
End your day when your tummy says it’s time in yet another warehouse given new life, home to Pasadena Italian House(it.pasadena.com.tw), a bright neon – and – tiffany restaurant in the North American mode. Be sure to buy the award – winning, island wide – renowned walnut and dried longan bread at the on – site bakery.
You also need to know that Kaohsiung’s popular harbor – area bikeway rolls right by the art canter, the section here running where the trains that once served these facilities trundled along. In 2010, CNN Travel declared Kaohsiung one of Asia’s five best biking cities.
Source:- Taiwan
