We are deeply aware of the crucial role architecture plays in the developmental narrative of a city. Streets, akin to the lifeblood coursing through urban veins, propel the vigorous growth of cities through their bustling thoroughfares. The edifices lining these roads not only define the external aesthetic of streets and skylines but also encapsulate the essence of a city. Situated in the erstwhile Old Five Channel District, Hai’an Road was once the bustling hub of the old capital, the thriving epicenter of commerce in Taiwan. However, time’s inexorable passage saw the fading of the canal scenery, the transformation of waterways into land, and the gradual disappearance of former glory. The road underwent widening and endured a decade-long closure due to underground street projects.

It wasn’t until 2004, when local residents, governmental bodies, and artists joined forces for the “Initiate Citizen Esthetic Movement,” stitching the urban fabric with art, igniting a series of experimental yet exhilarating urban transformations. Over two decades, Hai’an Road metamorphosed from fragmented spaces into a beautiful new realm.

In 2005, the “Hai’an Street Art Museum” was officially established. Subsequently, it witnessed events like “Spring of Haian: Haian Street Museum (Part II)” in 2006, “Hai-An + Playhouse : Another Imagination, Another Possibility”.  in 2011, and a ten-year retrospective exhibition “HAIAN, YOU COULD BE HERE You” in 2014. What makes Tainan enchanting is its possession of both ancient history and contemporary urban aesthetics.

How much imagination and potential can a city harbor? In Tainan, “streets” are not merely conduits for traffic; they serve as a “Catwalk” , “The Grand Clocks,” and even an “Art Galleries”! In 2018, “Street Art Museum of PLUS” incorporated the illustrious Zhongzheng Road, turning it into a platform for the city with themes like ““Runway of the City – Light up Tainan Zhongzheng Road”” and “Sounds of the City – Ringing Haian Road.” Over twenty artists curated more than forty installation artworks tailored to Tainan’s unique urban character, bringing back the splendor of Zhongzheng Road and Hai’an Road and infusing urban life with creativity and boundless possibilities.

In 2024, as the “Hai’an Street Art Museum” celebrates its twentieth anniversary, it leads visitors into the heart of the city’s narrative through elements of the canal, guiding them with sail shadows, boat whistles, and aquatic motifs. From alleyways to ancient wellsides, immerse yourself in Tainan’s distinctive leisurely pace of life; then, follow Hai’an Road to the canal’s edge, sketching the city’s future contours.

The artworks embody both daytime installations and nighttime audio-visual spectacles, incorporating new media art and interactive elements, enriching the artistic experience of the city and echoing Tainan’s profound sense of human interaction.

The story of the city begins right here.