Taipei Spring OutingsEnjoying Spring Flower GloriesA Spring Snow of Falling Cherry BlossomsYang Ming Shan Flower Festival

Fall in Love with Calla Lily at Zhuzihu

Searching for the Tastes ofSpring in Vegetarian CuisineHappy SpringtimeStrawberry-Picking Outings in Taipei

Taipei Spring OutingsEnjoying Spring Flower GloriesA Spring Snow of Falling Cherry BlossomsYang Ming Shan Flower Festival

Fall in Love with Calla Lily at Zhuzihu

Searching for the Tastes ofSpring in Vegetarian CuisineHappy SpringtimeStrawberry-Picking Outings in Taipei

DT MAR. / APR.BIMONTHLY 2010

｜發｜現｜臺｜北｜76

MA

R./APR.2010

76

38 Discover Taipei

LIVING IN TAIPEI

In the 1950s the T ianmu area became a major

residential enclave for US military personnel stationed

in Taiwan. In the years to follow the Taipei American

School, Taipei Japanese School, and many foreign

embassies were set up in this district, and Tianmu

emerged as the city of Taipei's garden of foreign

cultures. This unique historical background has made

this neighborhood an exotic locale of appealing

international cosmopolitanism, and a destination well

worth exploring at length for both the local traveler and

for sojourners from lands far away.

Your recommended launch point for a day-trip

through Tianmu is MRT Zhishan Station, from which

you can catch a shuttle bus to Dayeh Takashimaya

Dept. Store (大葉高島屋), which is located near Tianmu

Baseball Stadium (天母棒球場). This dept. store is here—

this is in fact the only Dayeh Takashimaya branch in

Taiwan—because of the many high-level Japanese

executives that live in the area, sent to Taiwan by their

companies, and targets their everyday needs. These

needs varies—you'll find wagashi (traditional Japanese

Visiting Taipei's Melting Pot

A Short Trip through Tianmu

confectionaries), a Kinokuniya bookstore (紀伊國書店),

top-flight Japanese cuisine, and even English-style tea

shops, American-style restaurants, Thai food, and Hong

Kong dim sum. We recommend you eat brunch here,

then browse the different floors with their globe-girdling

range of merchandise, during which you are sure to

reap a happy harvest. A special treat is the large-scale

aquarium on the basement level, where crowds gather

on weekend days in the afternoons and evenings to

watch the colorful feeding shows.

Start

Dayeh Takashimaya

Dept. Store (brunch)

Holo Classic Glove Puppet Promotion Center (learn about traditional Taiwan folk arts)

Tasters (buy cheesecake or have afternoon tea)

Browse Tianmu Market (treasure-hunting)

Liuligongfang Taipei

International Gallery

(admire objects d'art)

Tianmu's international-

flavor Restaurants

(dinner)

Thai-style massage

(wind down from the

day)

39Discover Taipei

Leaving the dept. store, walk along Shidong Rd. and then

turn onto Tianmu E. Rd.; you'll soon arrive at“Holo Classic Glove

Puppet Promotion Center”(河洛坊古典布袋戲偶推廣中心). Glove

puppetry is a favorite old Taiwan folk art, heavily focused on the

performance of age-old folk legends passed down generation

after generation. This is one of the best ways for you to get to

know this land's culture and people. The center displays and sells

the intricately costumed puppets and promotes the art form. Here

you can take your time exploring the beauty of the puppets and

other paraphernalia as well as the exotic aesthetics and superb

technique of the performance, then leave with a rich haul of one-

of-a-kind gifts and keepsakes under your arm that capture the

timeless essence of the Taiwan cultural soul.

Walking along Sec. 6 of Zhongshan N. Rd., you'll pass by

a number of furniture stores that each has its own distinctive

character. The origin of the stores in the area goes back to the

stationing of US military personnel in Taiwan starting in the 1950s.

As it happens, many Shanghai master

workers in furniture had moved

to nearby Shi l in, and the two

influences came together in the

creation of furniture items of unusual

personality. Today the stores along

this section, known as T ianmu's

“furniture street”(家具街), carry

a mix of classy brand-name items

from around the globe and antique

furnishings. Although this venue does

not thrive today as it did in yesteryear,

you'll still find truly exquisite antique

works on display here.

1. Tianmu offers a mix of cultural elements from many lands. Pictured is here the Taipei American School.

2. At Taiwan's only Dayeh Takashimaya outlet, friends from Japan find all their daily needs satisfied.

3. One of the big unusual draws at Dayeh Takashimaya is the large aquarium and feeding shows on the basement level.

4. Holo Classic Glove Puppet Promotion Center is focused on display and sale of traditional puppets and promotion of old-style folk arts.

5. On Tianmu's“furniture street,”Sec. 6 of Zhongshan N. Rd., you see furniture and decorations from around the globe.

40 Discover Taipei

LIVING IN TAIPEI

Tasters (吃吃看), on Zhongshan N. Rd., has long been

in place and long been a Tianmu icon. Its pedigree runs

back over 30 years. The restaurant's founder, a talented

woman named Ye Feng-zhu (葉鳳珠), spent many

years perfecting her cheesecake, renowned for the

thick and creamy pleasure it brings, drawing countless

Westerners resident in Tianmu and many a local culinary

sophisticate from around the city as well. The Tasters

facade is simple and traditional in style, and the pastry

offerings within touch on the pastry-worldviews of the

Taiwanese, Americans, and Japanese. This is in turn a

prime example of the rich world of food and drink that

awaits the intrepid explorer in Tianmu. Pick up a light

meal of cheesecake, cream puffs, brownies, and other

sweet treasures, then head out for a cultivated happy

meal at a nearby park sprinkled with crisp, fresh air and

wholesome views.

Next up on our tour is a round of treasure-hunting at

Tianmu Market (天母生活市集), located at the expansive

traffic circle where Tianmu W. Rd. and Sec. 7 of Zhongshan

N. Rd. meet. Staged by the T ianmu Marketplace

Development Association (天母商圈發展協會), the

market is held each Friday,

Saturday, and Sunday.

Choc-a-bloc with unusual and attractive merchandise

and a great many neat doohickeys and thingamabobs,

you're also entertained with live performances. Go

day or go night—whichever you like, there's always

lots to marvel at. Tianmu is also blessed with many arts

and culture spaces, and beside Tianmu Elementary

School (天母國小) you'll find many photo galleries and

art galleries. Liuligongfang Taipei International Gallery

(琉璃工房天母國際藝廊) is among the most important.

Featuring dynamic black marble and a dazzling display

of colored glass, this gallery is a keynote location in the

world of Asia colored-glass art. While admiring the many

wonderful works at these galleries, knowledgeable staffs

are always at hand and happy to guide you through

the particular field of art you are looking at.

One of Tianmu's most pleasing attractions is that

great places to eat are always at hand, wherever you

find yourself, day through night. This neighborhood has

long been the location of choice to set up residence for

foreigners coming to live in Taiwan, with the result that

it is densely populated with restaurants and eateries

sporting distinctive styles and themes. All along Tianmu

East/West Rd. and along Sec. 6 and 7 of Zhongshan N.

Rd. you have your pick of American, Mexican, Italian,

Please refer to the map provided on p.66.

41Discover Taipei

Information

Tasters 吃吃看Add: 770, Sec. 6, Zhongshan N. Rd.

(beside Taipei American School)(中山北路6段770號，美國學校旁)

Tel: (02) 2871-4678Transportation: Bus No. 220, 220 (express), 220 (shuttle), 279, 612, 612 (shuttle), or 902, or Zhongshan Main Line buses, to Ln. Shidong 1st. (士東1巷) stop.

Tianmu Market 天母生活市集Add: Park area at intersection of Tianmu W. Rd., Tianmu E. Rd., and Sec. 7, Zhongshan N. Rd. (天母西路、天母東路、中山北路7段交叉口公園)Website: weekendtianmu.blogspot.comHours: Fri 16:00～22:00Sat 09:00～15:00, evening16:00～22:00Sun 15:00～21:00Transportation:Danshui Line to MRT Shipai Station, then transfer to Red 12 or Red 15 bus, disembark at Tianmu Square (天母廣場) or Sanyu Temple (三玉宮) stop.

Dayeh Takashimaya 大葉高島屋Add: 55, Sec. 2, Zhongcheng Rd.

(忠誠路2段55號)Tel: (02) 2831-2345Website: www.dayeh-takashimaya.com.twTransportation: Take Danshui Line to MRT Zhishan Station, then take free Dayeh Takashimaya shuttle bus to store from directly in front of station.

Holo Classic Glove Puppet Promotion Center 河洛坊古典布袋戲偶推廣中心Add: 82, Lane 8, Tianmu E. Rd.

(天母東路8巷82號)Tel: (02) 2873-1167Website: www.uppacific.com.twHours: 10:00～21:00 (closed every even-numbered Sun, open rest of year)Transportation: Take Danshui Line to MRT Zhishan Station, then take free Dayeh Takashimaya shuttle bus to dept. store, afterwards walking about 10 minutes.

French, German, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and a great

many other national styles, with your pick of culinary standards and

confectionaries from each. High standards are at all times strictly

maintained. So take your pick and sit down to a dinner you richly

deserve after a day of dedicated cultural exploration.

Though your dinner is over, happily, your touring is not. Tianmu has

the greenest space of any neighbourhood in Taipei, and it is now time

to work off those dinner-accumulated calories with some relaxing

strolling along its tree-lined streets or one of its parks. Or perhaps what

you need is a health-enhancing session at one of the local licensed

massage centers. Opt for the ancient Thai style of tuina (推拿), or

acupressure, to recuperate from today's busy sightseeing session

and ready yourself for tomorrow's. This, you'll agree once it's done, is

perhaps the best way to cap off a lovely day of Tianmu touring.

6. Tasters is heady with cheesy aroma, in the blueberry cake, cheesecake, and cheese cookies, luring many happy foreign friends through the doorway.

7. Liuligongfang Taipei International Gallery has brilliantly resplendent works, and is among the most important of Tianmu's international galleries.

8. A favorite activity of foreigners resident in Tianmu is digging for treasure at Tianmu Market on weekends.

9. The Tianmu enclave is known for its dense concentration of quality international eateries.

10. Walking is free and easy in Tianmu's streets and parks, the city's greenest district.

11. After a day of hard play, rest your weary bones with a session at a healthy Tianmu massage center.

Liuligongfang Taipei International Gallery琉璃工房天母國際藝廊Add: 7, Tianyu St. (天玉街7號)Tel: (02) 2873-0258Website: www.liuli.comHours:10:30-20:30 (closed Chinese New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year's Day, and day after New Year's Day)Transportation: Take Danshui Line to MRT Shipai Station, then transfer to bus No. 224, 601, or Red 15 to Tianmu Elementary School stop. Walk toward Tianmu N. Rd., beside elementary school.

42 Discover Taipei

LIVING IN TAIPEI

Happy Springtime Strawberry-Picking Outings in TaipeiEach year the season for strawberry picking opens in Nov. and ends the next year in April or May. In the Taipei

area the farms and orchards along Bishan Rd. (碧山路) and Dahu St. (大湖街) in Neihu get especially busy,

drawing large numbers of folk excited to be getting outside for fresh air in a pretty pastoral setting. Few if any of these

operations levy admission fees, but sampling in the field is verboten. After you've submitted your plucked treasure for

valuation by weight, however, you can eat your own to your heart's content.

Among Taipei's tourist strawberry farms the trend is toward diversification of operations. In addition to the clean

and relaxed strawberry-picking fields, they also offer foods and drinks, jams, and educational sessions on potted

plants and children's games. Beyond the fun picking the visitor has the bonus of great views in a splendid natural

environment, with unlimited springtime fun in the sun.

LIVING IN TAIPEI

43Discover Taipei

Bishan Strawberry Orchards, Each with Its Own Character

Along Bishan Rd. you have your choice of seven

strawberry operations. Each will give you a quick

lesson on the ins and outs of proper berry-picking; for

example, one basic rule is that the redder the berry the

sweeter the taste. It's not uncommon for visitors to pick a

strawberry field clean over a two-day weekend. Once a

berry has formed it takes one to two weeks to mature, so

it's always best to call ahead and check on conditions,

to avoid a wasted trip and going home empty-handed.

Along Lane 72, Sec. 3, Neihu Rd., as you turn and

walk toward Bishan Rd., after turning right you'll see“Wild

Flower and Fruit Organic Farm”(野草花果有機農場). The

strawberry plants here are not in the ground, but rather

potted and put up on racks.“By doing this you avoid

the pathogens, insects, and other problems presented

by cultivation in the earth at ground-surface level,”

says the operator. Placing the plants up on racks also

makes berry-picking easier; visiting tourists need bend

down and squat no more. The number of strawberry

plants is limited, but walk on past the berry sheds along

the footpaths and you come to a rich haul of romaine

lettuce, white Chinese radish, and leaf mustard, all lined

in neat rows by a hillside with a waving sea of lupins and

yellow cosmos flowers, a tableau of sight and fragrance

on which spring is literally floating in the air.

Next we arrive at“Donglin Leisure Farm”(東林休閒

農園), hidden away somewhat down a slope. The main

type of strawberry grown here is called Taoyuan No.

3 (桃園3號), which is comparatively small, slightly

pointed, and the flesh quite juicy and sweet. The

owner, Xie Ming-yi (謝明宜), loves a challenge,

and through grafting has created a berry with

a thinner skin and even greater sweetness.

Xie also cultivates red and yellow cherry

tomatoes, and you can sample his home-

made “Wildflower Nectar”(野百花蜜) as well,

a deliciously fragrant creation that always leaves

a good taste—literally and figuratively—in people's

mouths.

A Harvest of Strawberry Meals, Strawberry Jams, Strawberry Picking

“Berry Garden Tourism and Leisure Farm”(莓圃)

and“Baishihu Tourism Farm”(白石湖) are neighbours,

each offering a vast expanse of strawberry sheds. Berry

Garden offers a café area where you can dine, and

each weekend when the tourists arrive in waves they

best like the beef stewed in strawberry wine, strawberry

yogurt drink, and strawberry milk offered. As to why this

operation has thrived so, husband and wife Dror Milgrom

and Meny Gante, from Israel, know exactly why. They

are now regulars here, bringing the whole family, and

on this, their fourth visit, Dror explains:“Here you can

pick some berries, relax and have a cool drink, and it's a

perfect outdoor place to bring the kids to sit back and

wile away the better part of a day.”That's why.

1-2. The tourist-oriented strawberry farms of Neihu provide visitors with a clean, comfortable berry-picking experience.

3. When strawberries have ripened, whole families, local and foreign, flock to the area for picking fun.

4-5. The farms here also have other fruit and veggie choices besides strawberries, including cherry tomatoes.

44 Discover Taipei

LIVING IN TAIPEI

At most strawberry orchards you

can't sample the produce until you've

bought it. At Baishihu next door, the

owner takes imperfect strawberries that

have been picked and offers them to visitors

to sample free. The farm also grows passion

fruit, pitaya, brightly colored flowers and

plants, and pesticide-free vegetables. You'll

see many customers dropping in to buy their

vegetables and have a chat with the owner,

making this a comfy rest stop on their daily

rounds.

At“Bishan Tourism Strawberry Farm”(碧山觀光草莓園)

another type of strawberry is grown, called“Perfume,”

small in size but with thick, dense flesh and featuring an

unusually strong bouquet of fragrance. And each year

starting in May after the second Sunday you can come

here to pick big, luscious honey peaches. The owner

says she started cultivating strawberries 27 years ago,

and always has an inspection carried out by the local

farmers' association before opening for the picking

season. She also puts plastic down on pathways and

weeds every day to ensure the most comfortable and

welcoming environment for the public.

At nearby“Pastoral Beauty Tourism and Recreation

Farm”(田園美色) is a terrific landscape-viewing café

from which you see far-off Dahu Park (大湖公園) and

the sky-scraping Taipei 101 tower. Ease into a seat for a

flavor-bursting cup of coffee brewed fresh for you by the

owner, accompanied by a soothing round of strawberry

ice-cream, and you'll think you've found a little bit of

heaven. The owner of Neihu Recreational Farm (內湖

休閒農場), meanwhile, runs an on-site restaurant. So in

addition to your refreshing berry-picking, you can enjoy

the farm's delicious home-grown mountain produce and

home-raised range chicken—meals with a freshness and

flavor not possible down in the bustling metropolis below.

There's even more good news, for the farm produces its

own range of jams and wines, from strawberry, passion

fruit, mulberry, and other sweet things, giving you the

sweetest of treats to bring back home along with your

basket of sweet memories.

Dahu Street's Strawberry Fields, Pressed Up Close against Wild Nature

Another path to fun berry-picking that you can take

is along Dahu St. From Sec. 5 of Chenggong Rd. take

Dahushanzhuang St., then head straight up Dahu St.,

the entrance of which you'll find at an angle across

from Dahu Elementary School (大湖國小).“Sungchu

Tourist Farm”(菘筑) is spread out over a flat expanse,

unlike the terraced operations commonly seen. You'll

see a patchwork of flower gardens, vegetable gardens,

and fruit orchards before, all laid out in neat, regulated

order and creating a vivid tableau of quilt-like natural

pastoral beauty.“The visual artistry of the layout attracts

a steady stream of tour groups from Singapore and

Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and elsewhere,”says Lu Lan-

ting (呂蘭婷), the second-generation owner. She offers

45Discover Taipei

Neihu Recreational Farm 內湖休閒農場Add: 49, Bishan Rd. (碧山路49號)Tel: (02) 2795-5861, 0938-536-669Hours: 12:00～17:00, weekdays by appointment.

Transportation to Bishan Rd. strawberry orchards:MRT Taipei City Hall Station or MRT Neihu Station, transfer to bus No. Small 2 or Small 2 shuttle, get off at Tourist Strawberry Farm stop.

Sungchu Tourist Farm 菘筑觀光農園Add: 137, Dahu St. (大湖街137號)Tel: (02) 2790-9427, 0928-278-965 Hours: Dec-May next year 09:00～17:00 Transportation: MRT Kunyang Station or MRT Neihu Station, transfer to Bus No. Small 3, get off at Sungchu gate, walk 50 meters.

Refresh Farm 清香農場Add: 206, Dahu St. (大湖街206號)Tel: (02) 2790-3466, 0928-539-948Hours: Holidays 08:30～17:00, non-holidays by appointment.Transportation: MRT Kunyang Station or MRT Neihu Station, transfer to bus No. Small 3 and travel toward Cuibo New Village (翠柏新村), get off at Daqiutian Earth God Temple (大邱田土地公廟), then walk 50 meters.

Wild Flower and Fruit Organic Farm 野草花果有機農場Add: 38, Bishan Rd. (碧山路38號)Tel: (02) 2790-2706, 0935-668-339Hours: Holidays 10:00～17:00, weekdays by appointment.

Donglin Leisure Farm 東林休閒農園Add: 43-10, Bishan Rd. (碧山路43之10號)Tel: (02) 2790-7252, 0953-934-999Hours: 09:00～17:00, can schedule free pick-up service.

Berry Garden Tourism and Leisure Farm莓圃觀光休閒農園Add: 38-2, Bishan Rd. (碧山路38-2號)Tel: (02) 2790-2492, 0937-458-986Hours: Late-Nov to May next year 10:00～18:00

Baishihu Tourism Farm 白石湖觀光農園Add: 40, Bishan Rd. (碧山路40號)Tel: (02) 2790-2785, 0927-115-119Hours: 09:00～17:00, weekdays by appointment.

Bishan Tourism Strawberry Farm 碧山觀光草莓園Add: 47-12, Bishan Rd. (碧山路47-12號)Tel: (02) 2793-1382Hours: 09:00～17:00, weekdays by appointment.

Pastoral Beauty Tourism and Recreation Farm田園美色觀光休閒農園

Add: 47-15, Bishan Rd. (碧山路47-15號)Tel: (02) 2791-5669, 0937-080-392Hours: 08:00～17:00, weekdays by appointment.

Information

a diversity of other attractions as well, including a restaurant, plus clever

promotions such as a wide array of strawberry-theme adornments and

decorative items and a schedule of DIY classes on wood toys, strawberry

rice cakes, tomato plants, and other topics, all of which have been

enthusiastically received.

At Refresh Farm (清香農場), which measures about three hectares,

in addition to strawberries there are three types of mushroom grown

on cultivation logs, a popular draw that fascinates visitors. Folks love

to come here for a rest and to have a bowl of the hearty and healthy

mushroom and chicken soup. The vistas here are broad and the colorful

fruit trees many. You can pick juicy ponkans (椪柑), a type of tangerine

sometimes called the Chinese honey orange, and also take your

pick of produce such as sweet potatoes, pomelos, Chinese radish—

and strawberries, of course. DIY classes are also held on strawberry

daifukumochi (a Japanese confection consisting of a small round mochi

stuffed with sweet filling) and strawberry jams.

Strawberry Tips: When picking strawberries be sure

to keep the stalks, and handle

gently to avoid bruising. When back

home, remember to take off the

box lid and to place the berries,

still in the box, in the refrigerator to

extend their life (about one week).

Rinse thoroughly only before eating,

to prevent spoilage.

6. At Neihu Recreational Farm you enjoy self-cultivated mountain produce as well as succulent range chicken raised on-site. 7. The local strawberry ice-cream is made using the freshest strawberries just plucked. 8. Beyond picking the berries, you can also take home a pretty potted strawberry-plant bonsai as a souvenir. 9. Sungchu Tourist Farm sells all sorts of strawberry-related articles, a big hit with tourists. 10. Spinoff products such as Refresh Farm's strawberry mochi and jams add to the fun of a local berry farm visit. 11. The freshly made mushroom and chicken soup at Refresh Farm is its signature-dish treasure.

Discover the Charms ofMt. Shamao Trails

Liu Ke-xiang

Poet, novelist, and nature observer.

Has over 40 published works,

including poetry, essays, novels,

and nature-travel guides.

Has been granted numerous

awards, including the GIO's Golden

Tripod Award (金鼎獎), Wu San-lien

Award (吳三連獎) for literature, and

Wu Lu-qin Award for Essay Writing

(吳魯芹散文獎).

Liu Ke-xiang (劉克襄) is a well-known local travel writer who is on an

intimate basis with the trails of the Taipei region. Known affectionately

as“birdman”(鳥人), he has long been devoted to nature observation

and protection endeavors, and has been a trail-blazer in the literary

world, opening up an entirely new field of vision in nature writing. In his

eyes, the Tianmu area is a wonderful place not only because of the

cultural variety that is available because of the presence of so many

expatriate residents, but because its many trails form an enchanting link

between the world of the city and the world of nature. In this feature Liu

specially introduces three favorite hiking trails below Mt. Shamao (紗帽

山), all providing relaxing round-trip excursions for mind and body while

providing exposure to both the historical and natural sides of Taipei.

Liu says the Tianmu Trail (天母古道), which starts at the north end of

Zhongshan N. Rd. on Sec. 7, is unquestionably the most popular nature

trail nowadays with the people of Shilin District. The Cuifeng (Emerald

Peak) Trail (翠峰步道), which branches off at about the half-way point,

is an excellent option though less well known. This links up with the

Banling (Half Ridge) Trail (半嶺步道), which sees even fewer people. The

three pathways meander along either side of the twisting Huang Creek

(Sulfur Creek; 磺溪), together creating a large O-shaped system filled

with attractions that will pique the interest of those who have a taste for

things historical.

Based on his many years of research, Liu is sure that the first trail to

have taken form was Banling Trail. In the days before Yangde Blvd. (仰

德大道) came into existence, this was a primary mountain route for Han

Chinese to hike up to Zhuzihu or Bamboo Lake (竹子湖). Today, as you

move up along the stone steps you are still regaled with timeless rural

46 Discover Taipei

LIVING IN TAIPEI

Transportation:Take public bus No. 220, 224, 267, 535, 601, or 685, Zhongshan trunk-line buses, or the Red 19 to the Tianmu stop, then walk five minutes toward Tianmu Police Station.

Information

scenery. The waterway meanders by, smoke slowly

curls up in the distance, fields are terraced in neat

pattern, and small hamlets are scattered about. In the

early period of Japanese rule (1895-1945) the famous

Sinologist Nakamura Okei came to live in Taipei, and

took this path the first time he went up Yangmingshan

(then called Caoshan or Grass Mountain) and Zhuzihu.

Along the path, he was startled by the yama sakura, or

mountain cherry blossoms.

Liu has also discovered that the daughter of the early

Dadaocheng (大稻埕) tea merchant Li Chun-sheng (李

春生), the poet Li Ru-yue (李如月), frequently headed

up Caoshan to revel in the mountain scenery, singing

its praises in poetic form. In the year after Taiwan's

Restoration in 1945, while heading back down the

mountain, she composed the poem“Ode Written on

the Caoshan Trail”(草山途中即景), which was received

enthusiastically. Stand on the Banling Trail today, looking

downhill off into the distance, and you'll see much the

same view she so enjoyed way back when:

Peak upon peak in autumn bloom bedazzle the eye,

and after traveling far the sun is in the west; Winding up

and down through Mt. Shamao fields, the Huang Creek

waters follow up and down by trail's side.

Tianmu Water Pipe Trail (天母水管路) is commonly

called the Tianmu Trail. It appeared comparatively late,

in 1928, built as part of a system to bring water down

from the hills. The trail zigzags down the mountainside

following the right bank of the Huang Creek, partitioning

the mountain valley it has carved, says Liu. A water pipe

lies under the pathway, the rushing resource providing

electricity generation, drinking water, and irrigation

water. After moving up the trail's section of stone steps

you will find a level area on the mountainside; at the

end of this section is a concealed water source not

normally open to the public.

The water is speedily carried down the mountainside

via the water pipe to Sanjiaopu Power Station (三角埔發

電廠). Visit the Tianmu Trail and you'll see a thick black

water pipe to the side of the stone steps.

The Cuifeng Trail is the connecting mountain path

between the other two trails, concealed within lush,

verdant primeval forest. Along the way, near the

Huang Creek headwaters walkers are surprised by the

majesty of the Cuifeng Waterfall (翠峰瀑布) as it seems

to burst suddenly into view, a fascinating scene both

unexpected and creating the most powerful scene

along the hidden trail.

As Liu Ke-xiang points out, these three trails coil

around on the south side of Mt. Shamao and on both

sides of Huang Creek, forming an attractive walkway

system on Tianmu's north side for healthy exercise. Mt.

Shamao is the defining landmark for the triumvirate,

used by many a hardy type to tackle the peak on foot.

Mt. Shamao is perhaps the smallest mountain in the

Yangmingshan region, but it is also one defined by the

most unusual shape and by noticeable elegance and

beauty, and is uniquely capped with a collection of

ancient tombs and springs. The overall effect has been

the inspiration for the most legends and stories among

the area's peaks.

In summing up the Mt. Shamao hiking experience,

Liu summarizes what he's heard from many visitors: You

can climb Mt. Datun (大屯山) and Mt. Qixing (七星山),

but if you haven't climbed Mt. Shamao (紗帽山) it is as

though you've “dressed yourself up in your finest suit but

forgotten your necklace.”This is what its neighbour, Mt.

Shamao, means to Tianmu.

47Discover Taipei

The Tianmu Trail, which links up with Cuifeng Trail and Banling Trail, is the favorite nature trail of Shilin and Tianmu residents.

48 Discover Taipei

LIVING IN TAIPEI

Foreigners' Reflections on TaipeiMarÿke, from the Netherlands, is working as a

translator in Taipei. She takes her beloved dog out for

walks almost every day in Tianmu Park (天母公園) and

along the Huang (Sulfur) Creek (磺溪), enjoying the

splendid scenery while getting some good exercise.

She likes Tianmu for its abundance of pathways and

green space, with lots of space for pets to move about.

It is something of a paradise for an active pet, with

numerous neighborhood parks where her dog can run

and play with heartily.

Though she has been here just a year and is nowhere

near fluent in Chinese, she likes Taipei very much.“The

transportation system is very convenient,”she says.“No

matter where you want to go, you can get there in a

jiffy.”She is especially fond of the city's endless parade

of tasty foods, and has been able to savor treats from

all around the world just in the Tianmu locality where she

lives.

She remembers the very first time she came across an

issue of Discover Taipei, finding the printing quality and

articles of high quality, with useful information aplenty.

At first she was not sure where she could find other

issues, but soon discovered all new issues were available

at the“International Community Service Exchange

Foundation”(國際社區服務交流基金會), which she visits

regularly.“I was very pleased,”she says,“because

I knew this would be a good source for deeper

understanding of Taipei and for information on things to

do and see outside my community in Tianmu.

Marÿke Stÿne

Vocation: Freelance translator

Country of Origin: Netherlands

Time in Taiwan: 1 year

Scott & Kim Tease

Vocation: Scott is a senior executive with IBM

Country of Origin: USA

Time in Taiwan: 1 year

“The people of Taiwan are really hospitable, often

making us forget that we are from a foreign land.”

So say Scott and Kim, couple who live in Neihu. They

love to roam the city when they have free time, and

love heading out on bicycles for healthy excursions

rambling around Dahu Park (大湖公園) and the line

of riverside parks along Keelung River. There are also

frequent outings to attractions nearby their home such

as Miramar Entertainment Park (美麗華百樂園) and the

Neihu Flower Market (內湖花市). They have found the

people of Taipei extremely friendly toward foreigners,

and even when language obstacles make verbal

communication difficult they do everything they can

to help overseas guests, deeply moving Scott and

Kim on many occasions. Kim also remarks that she

finds the quality of service in Taipei very high and very

consistent, and they are always treated with polite

courtesy and always return with great satisfaction.

“Shopping in Taipei is a very pleasant experience,”

says Kim.“Moving about is easy, the transport

unobstructed, and it seems that whatever type of

product you are looking for you can find it here.” They

especially like the great selection of artistic handicraft

items, and have found the creative bazaar in Tianmu

Market (天母生活市集) a wonderful place for one-of-

a-kind treasure-hunting. Tianmu is also a fine area for

exploring the cuisines of the world; Indian cuisine is one

of their favorite, and they have found many quality

dining spots to satisfy their cravings.

49Discover Taipei

Emmanuel Fritzen & Margareta Ahlers

Vocation: Emmanuel / Principal, German Section, Taipei European School

Margareta / Teacher, German Section, Taipei European School

Country of Origin: Germany

Time in Taiwan: Emmanuel 3 years / Margareta 1 year

Emmanuel is the principal of Taipei European School,

and has lived in Tianmu for three years. He speaks

Chinese fluently, and has a great passion for outdoors,

frequently heading into the hills on his bicycle. He loves

to gather with like-minded friends on days off to hit such

favorite spots as Mt. Qixing (七星山) and the Tianmu Trail

(天母古道). Emmanuel is strongly drawn to the beauty

of Taipei's mountain scenery, and adds that he also

finds the transportation system here very convenient,

making mountain climbing and hiking in the hills a great

recreational activity that is easy to pursue.

Margareta, a teacher at Taipei European School,

frequently hits the mountain paths and trails with

Emmanuel. She states that she finds Taipei a very clean

city, and finds the convenience and efficiency of the

city's MRT system something she has unfortunately never

experienced back home in Germany.“I talk about

Taiwan every chance I get with my German friends,”

she says,“recommending that they come here for some

sightseeing.”In truth, she states, most Germans feel that

Taiwan is too far away, and acquire only limited travel

information on the island.“I try to let them know,”she

says, “that Taipei City brims with creativity and energy

and is filled with interesting spots to visit and great food-

exploration opportunities, making a visit here well worth

the effort.”

Ed has traveled to 22 countries so far, and has been

living in Taipei for the past five years. One reason is the

fact his girlfriend is a Taiwanese, and the other is that

he loves extreme sports such as skateboarding and

off-road rallies, finding many friends of similar hobby

in Taipei.“There aren't really any formal locations for

these sports,”he says.“you look for appropriate open

spaces wherever you can.”Ed gathers with friends

for friendly competition in such locations as the plaza

before Zhongshan Hall (中山堂) or in the open space

before the KunMing Branch of Taipei City Hospital (臺北

市立聯合醫院昆明院區) in Ximending. He follows his off-

road passion along the coast and in the mountains,

and likes Taipei because you can get to these pristine

spots very quickly, without hassle.

Ed l ives near Shida (師大), or National Taiwan

Normal University, meaning that great snacking and

nightmarket-rambling are right at his doorstep. He

doesn't get up to T ianmu on a frequent basis for

leisurely exploration, but does make targeted forays in

search of Indian and Mexican food.“Tianmu is quite

suitable for expatriates to live,”he opines,“with more

spacious residences and roads than the Shida area.

The stores and shops are extremely varied, and the ㄏㄏ

creative bazaar in Tianmu Market is especially fun, filled

with small booths stocked with inventive items. I like to

amble through in search of unusual things, and highly

recommend it to sightseers.”

Ed Mayhew & Ashley

Vocation: Bushiban (cram school) teacher

Country of Origin: USA

Time in Taiwan: 5 years

Taiwan's biggest, longest-running extravaganza for the

celebration of traditional music is set to hit the stage once

again. The first notes of the Taipei Traditional Arts Festival (臺

北市傳統藝術季) will launch in mid-March, and to celebrate

the 30th anniversary of the Taipei Municipal Chinese

Classical Orchestra (TCO; 臺北市立國樂團), a rich feast of

30-plus performances will be laid before you, encompassing

music, theater, and dance. The emphasis will be on boldly

challenging and crossing boundaries, stimulating cross-

fertilization of the best in culture from East and West.

The internationally acclaimed cellist Julian Lloyd Webber,

known for his sterling contemporary innovation, has been

invited to perform on March 20. His warm and melodious

cello will croon Chinese and Western love classics. Repertory

will include Music of the Night, the theme song from the

famous musical play Phantom of the Opera. Webber will

also team with Yu Hongmei (于紅梅), master of the erhu (二

胡; Chinese violin), for an interpretation of“My Heart Will

Go On,”the theme song from the movie Titanic, and other

scores. The love talk of erhu and cello in a love duet will

assuredly bring a tingle of romantic electricity to the air on

this spring evening.

East Meets West

Music at the Taipei Traditional Arts Festival

On March 27“Hua Mulan”(花木蘭),“The Great

Wall Capriccio”(長城隨想曲),“Marching on the

Bright Road”(光明行), and other classics wil l

be per formed by an exciting ensemble that

includes Gong Yi (龔一), that master of ancient

qin instruments who has himself been declared a

national treasure, and empress of the erhu Min Hui-

fen (閔惠芬). These and other supreme artists will take

the stage in rotation to bedazzle you, presenting

their unique interpretations and encapsulating the

memories of history into poetic performances. At

the same time calligraphy maestro Wu Zhen-qi (吳

震啟) will take the stage to present the aesthetic

conception in poetry, wielding his talented brush

in symphonic harmony with the cadences of the

music.

Th i s presentat ion wi l l be fo l lowed by an

intriguing experimental gathering bringing together

pantomime and the TCO, on April 24. Sparks will

fly, and you must be there to witness the artistic

energies released. As part of the Butterfly Lovers (梁

祝) series, this world-premiere presentation will see

50 Discover Taipei

ARTS

the great pantomime master Philippe Bizot's gentle and mysterious yet

sometimes satirical body performance paired with the young erhu player

Yang Xue (楊雪) in a rendition of“Butterfly Lovers Concerto for Erhu”(梁祝

二胡協奏曲), challenging your conceptions of what music is.

In continuation of the popular Silk Road (絲路) series of 2009, this year

with the Taipei Traditional Arts Festival the Silk Road musical crescendo

reaches its highest point with“Farewell My Concubine”(霸王別姬) on

May 29. Well-known international composer Chung Yiu-kwong (鍾耀光)

is known for mixing elements of various cultures; here he makes use of his

Western classical-music training to meld Western orchestral music with

the Eastern emotional turns and musical essence of the original Beijing

opera. Traditional musical structures are challenged, and the huqin (胡

琴; a traditional two-stringed bowed instrument) and cello are married.

Celebrated Finnish cello impresario Anssi Karttunen interprets the imposing

grandeur of the concubine's imperial overlord, and huqin soloist Jiang

Ke-mei (姜克美) portrays the gentle concubine, her demeanor as soft and

tender as sweet flowing water. You'll find their depiction of the unfolding

fate of these two star-crossed lovers powerfully moving.

On that same evening, two world premieres will add to the spectacle.

Sheng (笙; a mouth-blown free reed instrument) master Wu Wei (吳巍),

who has pursued his studies in Germany, will wield his elite skills presenting

film-score composer Enjott Schneider's Earth and Fire, a symphonic poem

created especially for Wu, and the Tuvan throat-singing group Huun Huur

Tu from Tyva Republic will regale the audience with Tuvan Impression

folk songs among Chinese orchestral notes. The effects of this bold

experimentation, you'll agree once you've seen—and heard—will be

magical.

This year the Taipei Traditional Arts Festival aims not only to knock down

cultural fences. Fondly addressing the great international love affair with

qin (琴) or plucked instruments, it will challenge boundaries and then

cross those new boundaries. Even pantomime is taking the stage with the

TCO, elements of different cultures being fused together and unveiling

something for us that is traditional yet new and original in spirit. You'll

experience firsthand the beauty born of intimate relations between the

quintessence of Taiwan tradition and of world art.

Information

2010 Taipei Traditional Arts Festival Time: Until June 6

Venue:Zhongshan Hall (98, Yanping S. Rd.)

中山堂（延平南路98號）

Tel: (02) 2383-2170

Website: www.tco.taipei.gov.tw

1. Internationally acclaimed cellist Julian Lloyd Webber

2. Yu Hongmei, master of the erhu

3. Celebrated pantomime master Philippe Bizot

4. Young erhu player Yang Xue5. The Tuvan throat-singing group Huun

Huur Tu

51Discover Taipei

52 Discover Taipei

ARTS

Pathbreaking, Earth-Shaking Photographer

David LaChapelle

53Discover Taipei

He's photographed the sultry but troubled socialite

Paris Hilton being apprehended by police. He's

spoofed Lady Gaga walking out of a pink room wearing

a see-through balloon. He's shot reigning pop empress

Madonna in the pose of a goddess, resting atop a

giant hand. The“he”is David LaChapelle, famed

photographer and video, commercial, and film director,

who works in the fields of advertising, fashion, and fine

art photography. He has been declared the“Fellini of

photography”and as one of the top ten photographers

in the world, and is famed for his surrealistic and

sometimes grotesque and shocking aesthetics.

In April this year MOCA Taipei will be the first Asian

stop on David LaChapelle's Solo Exhibition world tour. His

works are Dali-esque in nature, a mixture of surrealism

and humor, with the grotesque and the aesthetically

pleasing placed in opposition. His colors are bold,

confident, and highly original. His style is not like that of

any other artist you've experienced, and his work has

become iconic in many realms, notably photography,

fashion, and even the contemporary arts.

Portraits of a Sensual World

LaChapelle was born in 1963. He grew up in the

greater New York area, and in his youth began exploring

the hedonistic drug subculture of the middle and lower

class. His first photo was of his mother, clad in bikini and

drink in hand. In 1978 he moved into the aesthetic world

of the East Village, New York, befriending such artistic

luminaries as Andy Warhol. He offered his picture of

nude men for Warhol's appraisal, and recognition of his

talent came immediately, as did employment offers,

launching him on his professional career.

His portrait images interpret the extravagance,

sexua l i t y , d rugs , money , g reed, b rands , and

excessiveconsumption of Hollywood. The gaudy

colors of each image are strikingly bold, oozing visual

sensuality. Exploring the empty, vacuous materialism

supported by a manipulative media, LaChapelle deftly

reveals the truth behind the surface reality, unveiling

the affectations and pretences behind the veneer of

beauty. His wit and sarcasm is presented in the form of

withering metaphor, creating a modus operandi that

makes a LaChapelle creation instantly recognizable.

1. “Collapse in a Garden”2. “The House at the End of the World”3. David LaChapelle

54 Discover Taipei

ARTS

A Flamboyant“Save the World”Creative Style

To become such a voyeur of the world of such unique perspective,

and a creator of such iconoclasm, LaChapelle says he constantly

reminds himself that“you have to listen to your own voice and

evade mundane visions.”After he had been chosen as one of the

Top Ten Most Important People in Photography, he turned around

and shocked the luminaries of the world of fashion by buying a quiet

piece of land on Hawaii's Maui Island and escaping to a hideaway of

pristine simplicity. In 2005 he found his thirst for the shoot and for artistic

creativity had not yet been slaked, picking up the camera once more,

this time concentrating on underprivileged groups, war, environmental

protection, and the human spirit as his subjects.

One photo shows a crass material woman standing before her shrine

to mammon, her home, which has been destroyed by global warming.

Another uses a famous model of African descent to demonstrate the

exploitation of African gold. Another has a model being crushed under

the weight of a surrealistically super-sized hamburger. In a series of other

images a glacier disintegrates. With these and other interpretations of

our current reality LaChapelle presents us with the warped perspectives

of today's social realities and our addiction to crass materialism. The

viewer is witness to his religious devotion throughout, his strong religious

beliefs intertwined with his passionate Earth-guardian concepts, his

ideas and themes presented as a gift to his fellow inhabitants of this

precious globe we live on. Dramatic tension and a surrealistic ambiance

brim starkly from his images, and he strives to awaken us so we can save

ourselves. LaChapelle wonders how we can destroy Earth, our home

with such indifference, and tries to shake viewers out of their slumber by

showing how we are bringing about the end of our own world.

4. “Death By Hamburger”

5. “Archangel Michael—And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer”

6. “Alexander McQueen & Isabella Blow—

Burning Down the House”

7. “Cathedral”

55Discover Taipei

Starting in 2008, LaChapelle has been bringing his solo

exhibition and giving lectures at the world's great museums of

art. The response has been electric at all the venues he has

visited. On Dec. 4 last year he gave a large-scale warm-up

speech in Taipei, with over 3,000 people signing up to attend

in the two short weeks beforehand. During his speech he

warm-heartedly shared the experiences of his 25 years of high-

level creativity with his rapt audience of local admirers, along

with his vanguard works of contemporary art.

At his press conference he excitedly reported that he

was thrilled with the mix of art and heritage that he had

found at the MOCA Taipei facility, a uniquely powerful blend

he would not soon forget. He said his creative juices were

surging with his exposure to the unique atmosphere of the

heritage architecture in which MOCA Taipei is housed, by the

fine installation artworks of the city's MRT system, and by the

flourishing vitality of the city as a whole. The experience had

caused him to contact his team back in the US, letting them

know he was heading back for a completely new round of

creativity for his upcoming Taipei show, intent on exploring

the essence and model of the city of Taipei in relation to the

breadth of his 25 years of Hollywood shooting. The results will

be on show from April 8 through May 30 at his solo exhibit, the

first stop in Asia on David LaChapelle's grand world tour, an

event of eye-opening perspective not to be missed!

Information

David LaChapelle Solo Exhibition World Tour / Asia Premier ShowingTime: From April 8 to May 30

Add: 39, Chang'an W. Rd. (MOCA Taipei)（臺北當代藝術館，長安西路39號）

Tel: (02) 2552-3721

Hours: Tues-Sat 10:00~18:00 (ticket office closes at 17:30; closed Mon)

Website: www.mocataipei.org.tw

David LaChapelle website:www.lachapellestudio.com

Transportation: MRT Danshui Line to MRT Zhongshan Station; walk about 5 minutes along Taipei Easy Mall, then take Chang'an W. Rd. Exit 3 or 4 and walk another 5 minutes. For the bus, take No. 216, 217, 218, 220, 224, 247, 260, 287, or 310 to the Zhongshan Market（中山市場）stop.

56 Discover Taipei

ARTS

A New Taipei Art Gallery Landmark

Neihu, a Name for New Art Perspectives

Bounded on the west by Section 1 of Neihu Rd. and in the east by Ruiguang Rd. and Minquan E.

Rd., is Neihu Science Park (內湖科技園區). Called “Taipei's Silicon Valley”(臺北矽谷), this is home

to the most important cluster of high-tech enterprises in the north of the country. A grand curtain

of modern architectural gems has been raised up here in recent years, sporting a sleek high-tech

image. The park's roads are wide and spacious, lined with all the necessary facilities for convenient

work and living, attracting a lot of entrepreneurs and high-tech workers. This new center of gravity

has also been attracting the entrepreneurs of the city's great cluster of art galleries centered on the

Ren'ai Traffic Circle, Dunhua S. Rd. commercial area, and Apollo Building (阿波羅大廈), who have

been setting up shops around the science park, pouring tremendous cultural vibrancy into this

thriving young district and at the same time spawning a new landmark in Taipei's artistic universe.

57Discover Taipei

1-2. Fish Art Center is a multi-function relaxation, exhibit, library, information, and education facility, acting much like a boutique fine-arts museum.

3. Galerie Elegance gives ladies of means an aesthetic space to get away from the hectic buzz.

4. Galerie Elegance has regular showings of contemporary oil paintings, engravings, sculpture, and other works by local and overseas talent.

Boutique Art Galleries Surrounded with the Aroma of Coffee – Fish Art Center and Galerie Elegance

Featur ing a very di f ferent ambiance f rom the

surrounding sleek commercial buildings, Fish Art Center

(秋刀魚藝術中心) is characterized by waves of coffee

fragrance wafting through and a warm, embracing

elegance. The cold distance that often characterizes art

spaces is not found here. Beyond regular monthly showings

of paintings and sculptures done in numerous mediums by

contemporary Chinese artists, there are also many books,

albums, and magazines on art subjects on hand for visitors

to peruse. Experienced staffs also welcome questions from

visitors on all art-related matters. Fish Art Center is thus a

multi-function exhibit, library, information, relaxation, and

education venue, serving the public much like a boutique

fine-arts museum.

Also offering the fragrance of coffee is Galerie

Elegance (愛力根畫廊), which moved to the emerging

Ruiguang Rd. area this year. You'll be regaled with the

sensory stimulation of slow-moving coffee aromas here

as well. The bright exhibit space has regular showings of

contemporary oil paintings, engravings, sculpture, and

other forms of art by local and overseas talent—joint

exhibits with varying themes. With beautiful framed works

before you and large French windows looking out over

the sleek new science park, you'll appreciate this oasis

of aesthetic contemplation amidst the frenetic swirl of

modern living outside.

Goethe Art Center – Using Paintings to Create Friendships

The Goethe Art Center (哥德藝術中心) has a rich

history going back 20 years. In Oct. of last year its Ming

Art Gallery (旻谷畫廊) and the Kingsley Art Auction (金仕

發拍賣公司) moved their locations and replanted their

flags here, creating an unusual art space that is nearly

14,300 sq. ft. and is run cooperatively, with vertical and

horizontal integration of facilities. Goethe Art Center

concentrates on the senior masters of Taiwan art;

among the respected artists it represents are Zhang Yi-

xiong (張義雄), Liao De-zheng (廖德政), and Ye Huo-

cheng (葉火城). It has always faithfully followed the

concept of“using paintings to create friendships”

(以畫交友), and beyond serving as a bridge to bring

artists and collectors together, the center hopes to in

future create retrospectives of the works of this senior

generation and to facilitate academic work.

William Contemporary Art Space – Bold Exhibit Style

William Contemporary Art Space (威廉當代藝術空間)

has also made the decision to put down roots in this new

cluster of art galleries. To facilitate the showing of large-

scale contemporary works, it has moved into a two-story

Neihu building with an art space that is five meters high

and 3600 sq. ft. The large picture windows allow natural

light to stream into the airy space, creating the perfect

setting for the display of the aesthetics and unique

characteristics of William's selected pieces, for which

it has a distinctive reputation. You'll find on display the

genius of such ethnic-Chinese masters as John Way (魏

樂唐) and Tsai Yun-cheng (蔡雲程), Taiwan contemporary

artists such as J.C.Kuo (郭振昌), Peng Kuang-chun (彭

光均) and Chen Ying-wei (陳英偉), and such young

contemporary artists from China as Du Xi (杜溪) and

Chen Xin (陳欣). These talents bring forth creations of

surpassing beauty and unmatched distinction, and

William Contempt Art Space has backed each for a

long period of time.

Tina Keng Gallery – Managing Our Perspectives on Contemporary Art

The Tina Keng Gallery (大未來耿畫廊) migrated into

the area in Oct. last year. The interior is laid out in the

recognizably sleek and stylish styling of New York's trendy

SOHO district, in a space that measures 12,500 sq. ft.

and rises up seven meters. The familiar“rules”of the

accepted size of works of art are methodically broken

here; whether we are speaking of sculptures, installation

art, and even large-scale works, this facility enables

a full visual appreciation of their aesthetic range and

quality. Consideration is now being given to crossing the

boundaries of the accepted notion of what a gallery is

with the staging of fashion exhibits, performance arts,

academic symposiums, and other happenings. The

gallery is focused on the contemporary arts, committed

to planting roots and expanding into the international

contemporary arts scene, building on a solid base of

managerial experience with a superior corps of senior

58 Discover Taipei

arts managers and professional team in support. The

founder, Geng Gui-ying (耿桂英), hopes to maintain

a schedule of two large-scale exhibitions each year

in the future, bringing in professional talent to plan

themed events, encouraging interchange between art

museums and art associations, and strongly supporting

the idea that the buying of Asian contemporary art

is not just a fashion statement. The hope is that the

gallery can be a key player in defining the frames of

reference for the current generation and making Asian

art a valued complement in art collections.

A welcoming environment for interchange that are

cultured and free in spirit is key for artists to give full

expression to their creative spirits, and is an important

window for the public to experience current art trend

firsthand. Taipei's new landmark garden of art galleries

is ready and waiting for the lovers of art—whether

committed or budding. Neihu is your new destination

for new perspectives on the world of art.

Information

Fish Art Center 秋刀魚藝術中心Add: 1F, 137, Jihu Rd.（基湖路137號1樓）

Tel: (02) 2532-3800Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00－20:30, Sun 13:00－20:00 (closed Sat)Website: www.fishart.com.tw

Galerie Elegance 愛力根畫廊Add: 408, Ruiguang Rd.（瑞光路408號）

Tel: (02) 2658-8388Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00－19:00 (closed Sun)

Goethe Art Center 哥德藝術中心Add: 293, Sec. 2, Tiding Blvd.（堤頂大道2段293號）

Tel: (02) 2658-6600Hours: Tues-Sun 10:00－19:00 (closed Mon)Website: www.kingsleyauction.com

Ming Art Gallery 旻谷畫廊Add: 295, Sec. 2, Tiding Blvd.（堤頂大道2段295號）

Tel: (02) 2658-8787Hours: Tues-Sun 10:00－19:00 (closed Mon) Website:www.mingart.com

William Contemporary Art Space 威廉當代藝術空間Add: 356, Sec. 2, Tiding Blvd.（堤頂大道2段356號）

Tel: (02) 8502-5570Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00－20:00 (closed Sun)Website: www.williamartspace.com

Tina Keng Gallery 大未來耿畫廊Add: 1F, 15, Lane 548, Ruiguang Rd.（瑞光路548巷15號1樓）

Tel: (02) 2659-0798Hours: Tues-Fri 10:00－19:00,

Sat-Sun 11:00－19:00 (closed Mon)Website: www.tinakenggallery.com

5. Ming Art Gallery concentrates on Chinese contemporary oil painters and sculptors, with local Taiwan native-soil painters also featured.

6. William Contemporary Art Space is known for its bold style, and has an art space five meters high and 3600 sq. ft. to facilitate the showing of large-scale contemporary works.

7. The exterior of Goethe Art Center is suitably solemn, august, and imposing.

8. The Tina Keng Gallery interior is the ultimate in sleek streamlined simplicity, 12,500 sq. ft. and 7 meters high, eliminating limits on artwork size and line of vision obstacles

59Discover Taipei

In an era of universal passion for 3D

visuals, and in an era with a passion for

green friendliness,“paper”has decided

to leave the staid confines of the library

and contribute itself to the aesthetics

of our everyday lives. The SuHo Memorial

Paper Culture Foundation (樹火紀念紙文化基金

會) is staging the Love Paper Love Life Exhibition

(紙的幸福設計) exhibit to show off the wonderful possibilities

of paper, inviting 10 artists and designers and an inventive

paper-product brand to make creative use of paper with

product, space, installation, and architectural models. You

are to be taken away from the old 2D era of paper and into

a new mode of living!

With Love Paper Love Life Exhibition the SuHo Memorial

Paper Museum (樹火紀念紙博物館) is taking 20 years of

knowledge and experience relating to friendly relations

with people, nature, materials, the environment, and our

Mother Earth and condensing them, introducing you to

the aesthetics of paper in your life. A simple material you

most likely take for granted, paper is rich in possibilities and

can bring great beauty to everyday living. Flat paper can

be magically transformed into the wonderful source of

cascading light. Driftwood and fiber paper can be used to

create ornate and auspicious pineapple-shaped hanging

lanterns. These are both eco-friendly and stay“fresh”

throughout the year. Even disposable paper cups and plates

can be miraculously transformed into tasteful tableware

suitable for feasting the most honored guests!

The show will feature all types of tableware made using

non-wood pulp fiber, created by such well-known invited

names as the Japanese artist Kobayashi Junko (小林順子),

eight well-known Taiwan artists including Li Meng-shu (李孟書),

and the famed Japanese paper-tableware brand Wasara.

From now until April 22, in addition to the theme exhibits there

will also be a series of activities on the theme of aesthetics in

everyday life, including a book exchange, sharing sessions,

CREATIVE TAIPEI

60 Discover Taipei

Love Paper Love Life Exhibition紙的幸福設計 – 生活美學展

Time: Until Apr. 22

Venue: SuHo Memorial Paper Museum(樹火紀念紙博物館) Hours: Mon-Sat 09:30~16:30 (closed on Sundays)

Add: 68, Sec. 2, Chang'an E. Rd.(長安東路2段68號)

Tel: (02) 2507-5535

Website: www.suhopaper.org.tw

musical performances, and other attractions, along with a

duo of aesthetic-experience DIY sessions,“Paper-Carving

Colored Mirrors”(紙塑彩鏡) on March 20 and“Notes on

Life”(生活筆記) on April 3. You'll be able to do such creative

things as use paper, papier-mâché, and colorings to mold

and create your own mirror, and to hand-craft your own

special little notebook, lantern, vase, and other beauties with

practical everyday uses, re-recognizing the myriad faces of

paper, that miracle material.

Love Paper Love Life Exhibition emphasizes that“Playing

with Paper”(玩紙) is in no way the monopoly of the artist, and

via an called for“Image Submission Request”(影像徵件) to

show that great aesthetic pleasure can be derived from this

simplest and purest of materials in all areas of our everyday

life. Works by the prize-winners will be on display at the SuHo

Memorial Paper Museum from March 13 to April 22.

Let's head into the attractive aesthetic world of paper and

bring the joy and happiness of this wondrous material into our

lives!

Information

1. Ocean Series, by Kobayashi Junko2. Pineapple Fiber Lamp, by Li Meng-shu3. Tree of Books, by biaugust CREATION OFFICE4. Aesthetic Chairs of Living, a 2F space created by Zhang Yong-

sheng (張永生) and Xu Zhi-ping (許志萍)5. Paper Curtain, created using paper and driftwood by Zhang

Yong-sheng6. Works created during the hands-on Paper-Carving Colored Mirrors

aesthetic-experience activity

61Discover Taipei