Over its 400-year history, Tainan has preserved a rich amount of cultural heritages. The "West Market," once a bustling commercial hub, has witnessed the evolution of Taiwan's history and civilization. Though its vibrant atmosphere has mellowed over time, its cultural significance endures. Now, following its restoration, the West Market has become a space brimming with stories, preserving past memories while looking forward to creating new ones.
Under the theme "Open West Market," this event continues the Taiwan Design Expo's focus on "Food and Fashion," merging sound and art. Interactive performances—ranging from music and theater to dance and circus acts—will amplify the sensory experience visitors will have when they visit the market's architecture and design displays. Through local involvement, historical storytelling, cultural revival and architectural engagement, the West Market's past and warmth are reimagined in new approaches. Over three weeks, the event will feature four key areas: guided performance tours, a circus theater, a classical/punk music project, and an environmental dance collaboration with the Blooming-Grass Cooperative. These activities invite the public to reconnect with the newly restored West Market, enhancing its appeal, rebranding its image, and starting new chapters in its storied history.
C10 Open West Martket
Description
Curatorial Unit
Defying frames of design thinking and stretching cultural and creative ideas, UNN Design Studio excels in converging resources through cultural creativity. The studio conducts community development and supports various agencies in organizing and executing large-scale fairs and marketing campaigns. It offers insights and voices opinions on the development of creative industry, aiming to share the beauty of diverse communities with a wider audience. As a platform, UNN Design Studio aspires to nurture and cultivate the creative potential of individuals on this culturally rich land.
9176 G Studio is named after the address of founder Hsiu-I Lu's residence during her time in the U.S. The small house at 9176 G once served as an artistic salon, where the creative energies of both scientists and artists find an outlet. With expertise in stage management, Hsiu-I Lu has actively participated in theater productions, musicals, and art festivals in Taiwan and the U.S. Recently, she has extended her reach to production coordination and performance curation for art festivals, with the ambition that 9176 G Studio will enrich the experience for "performers," "exhibitors" and "spectators.”
Curator
Kyle Hsieh is a local from Tainan with an MBA from the University of Queensland, Australia, and is dedicated to the revitalization of old buildings. He founded Tainan Old House Inn and serves as the Executive Director of the Old House Office and the host of the Old House Club. He initiated the Zhengxing Street project and is the chief curator of Khunsinia and she n market. In addition, he also organized popular events such as the "LuvEat LuvEat Forum" in Tainan Food Festival and the GQ Suit Walk, all while promoting Tainan's urban culture and lifestyle aesthetics. Collaborating with the Kanazawa Tourism Bureau in Japan, he established the old house homestay brand "Mitsumaya."
Cooperative Partners
Curatorial Consultant|Kyle Hsieh
Performance Coordinator|HSIU-I LU
Curatorial Coordination|UNN Design Studio、9176 G Studio、Cloudia Wu
Exhibition music design|Jingyang He、Shih-Lin Chen
Visual Design|ANGLE Visual Integration
Performance Team|Havefun Circus、9176 G Studio、Blooming-Grass Cooperative
Special Thanks|Ximen Market Development Association、An Zheng Bespoke Suit、
Tainan Old House Inn、Fake Fire Atelier