How many possibilities and creative opportunities are there in a city ? Streets in Tainan are not only streets. A street can be a runway, a big clock, or even a museum!
Tainan is fascinating because it combines the beauty of the old and the new. In 2003, the Hai-an Street Museum project was jointly launched by local residents, the public sector and artists in hopes of using art to heal the city and initiate a series of exciting and experimental urban regeneration projects. Over the past fourteen years, the once fragmented spaces along Haian Road have become a beautiful new world.
In 2018, the STREET MUSEUM OF ART+ project went a step further to incorporate Zhongzheng Road, which is known as the “urban runway”, into the scope. The project centers on two themes: “Sounds of the City – Ringing Haian Road” and “Runway of the City – Light up Tainan Zhongzheng Road”, creating over 40 installation artworks along Zhongzheng Road and Haian Road to reflect the nature of Tainan and revitalize these two roads. With this project, the city will have unlimited creative opportunities and possibilities.
Artistic Time Speaker: Listening to the sounds of the city
Walking in an international city and hearing bells ring, you can feel the rhythm of the city and achieve peace of mind. You will be able to achieve such peace of mind along Haian Road.
Haian Road is assuming a new role in Tainan – it will announce the time through art works. From 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., bells will ring on an hourly basis to announce the time. Artists create installation art works using ventilation towers from the underground car park. The works will take turns to announce the time through sounds, lights, colors and rhythms. The streetscapes will be different because of these works.
Some of these works record the sounds of Tainan, for example, voices in markets and temples as well as tide sounds. All of these elements will bring warmth to the memory of the city. Some works use lights and shadows to decorate the streets, amazing onlooking pedestrians. There are also works made of light bulbs. These works resemble people. You will not feel lonely when walking on the streets. With these works, people and the city live in harmony, creating the most beautiful urban scenery.
Runway in the city: Zhongzheng Road’s memory and future
There are many unique buildings and shops that sell fashionable items along Zhongzheng Road, which was also called Suehirocho. Since the Japanese ruling period, Zhongzheng Road has been a place that is full of shops that sell fashionable clothes, high-end imports, watches, and jewellery. Zhognzheng Road has remained fashionable throughout history despite the rise and fall of the city. In 2018, with the STREET MUSEUM OF ART+ , the road again is showcasing its glory and beauty.
Zhogzheng Road is straight. Therefore, it is the best runway in the city. People, shops, clothes, accessories and installation art along the road are connected by the theme “Runway of the City – Light up Tainan Zhongzheng Road”. The runway not only connects people’s imagination for beauty and fashion but also Tainan’s history and future. Artwork installed along the sidewalks and in the outdoor spaces is created based on four themes: boutique clothing, jewllery, youth and fashion, and playgrounds. With visual effects and interactive technologies, the art works inspire people’s imaginations for Zhongzheng Road.