In recent years, urban design exhibitions have flourished like blooming flowers, with many cities being redefined and their unique DNA polished. So when it comes to Taichung, what do you imagine in terms of the city's lifestyle and design heritage?
Organized by the Taichung City Government’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs, this year's Creative Taichung invited curators Xu Zheyu and Guo Zhongyuan to oversee the event. Through the "DESIGN HUB" project, design and curation serve as mediums to connect 1 HUB base, 4 urban issues, 7 satellite exhibition areas, 5 aesthetic events, and nearly 15 issue participants, creating a delicate yet strong link between the city and its citizens. Everyone who comes to Taichung becomes a "HUB," experiencing and expressing themselves in their own way, gathering collective imagination and translating it into Taichung’s new face.
Curators Guo Zhongyuan and Xu Zheyu have invested years of research and observation into Taichung, deeply cultivating the city through design curation. They have silently accompanied the city's transformation and the establishment of its urban brand DNA. For instance, in 2018, they branded Taichung’s rivers through the "Endless River—Green River Exhibition 2018." They also organized the "串遊季REUSE" exhibition, which focused on the restoration, renovation, and adaptive reuse of Taichung’s historic buildings. All this effort laid the foundation for the DESIGN HUB project.
Everyone Becomes a "HUB" in the City
“I discussed the concept of a ‘signal base’ with Professor Guo, similar to how towns or cities abroad convey local cultural or fashion messages. The signal base recreates new signals in design and fashion taste and promotes them externally. In the past, Professor Guo and I curated design exhibitions across Taiwan, and we seem to be able to build such a creative platform in Taichung. By integrating urban development issues, the city’s strategy can ferment through this virtual platform and signal base," said Xu Zheyu.
The two curators defined the theme based on this concept and initiated discussions on local characteristics, inviting both locals and visitors to explore Taichung together. The main visual of this exhibition focuses on the new generation of Taichung youth, with visual details filled with scenes symbolizing the blending of new and old generational lifestyles. Everyone becomes a "HUB" in the city, conveying vibrant messages of the city’s living culture.
Experience the Diverse Aspects of Taichung with DESIGN HUB! A Deep Dive into Unique Urban Travel*
Guo Zhongyuan believes that rather than a design exhibition, DESIGN HUB is more of an editorial act. “Design today, in a contemporary sense, is not limited to visual communication, product design, or architectural design; it should encompass aesthetics, culture, and modes of thinking. Especially with the government considering the application of design thinking in urban governance, shaping local design centers or signal bases. We are also trying to fulfill a dream with this curation, hoping to create ripples, even small ones, and operate a small yet beautiful micro-exhibition in a local city with limited resources."
Curator and founder of the Household Room, He Chengyou (left), and Liaw Chenxiang (right), the person in charge of Chengxing Hotel. (Image / Provided by Mid Research Lab)
DESIGN HUB focuses on four topics: space revitalization, living integration, sustainable cities, and pet-friendly environments. Six major exhibition areas have been planned under these topics. For example, the main exhibition venue, "Linsen 40 Reception Room," invited Yudai Guan, Creative Director of Two Tigers Design, and Liang Meili, Vice President of Eastern Packaging Marketing, to create reduced packaging designs for popular local gifts such as sun cakes and pineapple cakes. The "Chengxing Youth Observatory" invited He Chengyou, founder of Household Room, to plan a two-day, one-night eco-friendly micro-trip in Taichung. At the same time, Liaw Chenxiang, founder of Chengxing Youth Hostel, joined the collaboration, offering travelers a sustainable way to explore local life in Taichung. "Jiguang Works Transfer Station" preserves the historical traces of architecture, integrating life, work, and community connections, injecting new cultural vitality into a quiet area, and serving as a base for many entrepreneurial dreams.
"Hausinc 1035 Communications Station" witnessed the grandeur of Taichung’s Prefecture Hall and the elegance of the Taisho era, documenting the intertwined history of Taichung and Japan, while showcasing a new chapter in contemporary design in Taichung. "Citizen Square: Island of Light" invited architect An Zhu and artist An Zhu to design the "Island of Light," constructed from domestic Taiwan cedar, incorporating a linear density structure. The wooden platform and undulating lawn invite viewers into a natural space, breaking free from the constraints of urban spatial order. "Park 2 Woof Woof Station" was designed by Chuang Chih-Hong, Director of Life Starts Matter, who proposed the "A Block Dogether" design. Combining "dog" and "together," it creates a modular space for pets to relax, play, and rest, offering owners and their furry companions a wonderful time together.
The two curators further expressed that ultimately, design curation is like a small stone thrown into the water. They hope that the ripples, although small, will remain clear and alert, continually connecting to form a better urban landscape for Taichung.
Main visual application of the 2024 Creative Taichung DESIGN HUB. (Image / Provided by Mid Research Lab)
2024 Creative Taichung DESIGN HUB IN TAICHUNG*
Designing Tomorrow's Future
- Exhibition Dates: 11.1 (Fri) ~ 11.10 (Sun)
- Open Hours: 11:00 ~ 18:00
- Main Venue: Datuan District Governor's Mansion (No. 40 Linsen Road, West District, Taichung City)
- Satellite Venues: Datuan District Office, Taiwan Prefecture Confucian Examination Hall, HAUSINC 1035, Jiguang Works Office, Chengxing Youth Hostel, PARK2 Grass Pavilion Square, Northwest Side of Taichung Citizen Square
- Guiding Units: Ministry of Culture, Taichung City Government
- Organizers: Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Taichung City Government
- Co-organizers: Taichung City Construction Bureau, Taichung City Cultural Heritage Office, HAUSINC 1035, PARK2 Grass Pavilion Square, Eastern Packaging Co., Ltd., Jiguang Works Office, Chengxing Youth Hostel
- Curating Units: Ling Tung University, Plain Creative, Mid Research Lab
- For detailed information, please visit the official website of "Creative Taichung"
This article is republished with permission from La Vie.
