If the arts scene within a city is to be improved, it is essential to have exhibitions and cultural events, and different art forms require different venues if they are to be presented in an optimal way. To this end, two new landmarks for the arts have been opened, in Greater Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan and Miaoli County in northern Taiwan — the Da-Dong Art Center in Greater Kaohsiung’s Fengshan District, Northern Miaoli Art Center in Miaoli County’s Jhunan Township.
The Da-Dong Art Center opened last month and cost NT$1.5 billion to build. The center was constructed as a joint project with Taiwanese and Dutch architects, and is regarded as a world-class arts venue. The architectural design emphasizes the concept of natural elements; therefore, the entire space is semi-outdoor and incorporates the surrounding ecosystem, giving it an Eastern, Zen aesthetic. The center was one of the main venues for the 2012 Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival immediately after its inauguration. There is a performance hall, a visual arts exhibition hall, and also the unique Da-Dong Art Library, which opened to the public last Sunday. The library, said to be the nation’s first ever art-themed public library, has a collection of 150,000 items, on a range of art forms, including music, dance, theater, architecture, photography, and film.
Northern Miaoli Art Center cost NT$1.3 billion to build and began operating on New Year’s Day this year. The design is a conceptual combination of mountains and oceans. The center is a multi-functional space that provides professional performance facilities and equipment. The center has a performance hall, an experimental theater, exhibition rooms, a cultural and arts education center, as well as an outdoor arts plaza. Incorporating Miaoli County’s characteristics and cultural-historical monuments, the center showcases Miaoli County’s local flavor and ethnic diversity.
Photo: Lin Ya-ti, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報林亞蒂
A tablet inscribed on the wall at the entrance of Northern Miaoli Art Center reads, “Culture is essential for development, and the development of the arts needs performances and exhibitions, which need a venue in which to be shown.” Both newly established venues bring together the arts present in everyday life and the special characteristics of local cultures. They provide a solid foundation for arts education, help invigorate the arts scene, and stimulate the creative industries and tourism. They will also help enrich the quality of life of local residents, helping them cultivate an awareness of art.
(Lin Ya-ti, Taipei Times)
提升一個城市的藝文風氣，少不了藝文展演活動，而不同藝文型態則需要不同場域才得以呈現最好的展演。有鑑於此，今年初南台灣與北台灣各有一個文化新地標落成，南是位於高雄市鳳山區的「大東文化藝術中心」，而北則是位於苗栗縣竹南鎮的「苗北藝文中心」。
耗資新台幣十五億元並於上個月啟用的「大東文化藝術中心」，由台灣與荷蘭建築師聯手打造，堪稱國際級文化場域，設計意象強調自然元素，以半戶外建築空間與週遭生態系統結合，營造東方禪學之美。該中心一開幕即成為「二○一二高雄春天藝術節」的主場地之一，館內包括多功能演藝廳，視覺展覽館，以及上週日才啟用獨具特色的「大東藝術圖書館」。該圖書館是全國第一座以藝術為主題的公共圖書館，館藏共十五萬件，有音樂、舞蹈、戲劇、建築、攝影、電影等藝術領域。
Photo: Lin Ya-ti, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報林亞蒂
耗資約新台幣十三億元的「苗北藝文中心」，今年元旦正式啟用，整體設計造型以山水意象為主軸。館內提供專業化展演設備與多元活動空間，包括演藝廳、實驗劇場、藝文展覽室、文化藝術教育中心、戶外藝術廣場等。該中心也結合苗栗縣人文特色與周邊文化史蹟，創造苗栗縣特有地方色彩與多元族群的藝術價值。
「苗北藝文中心」的營建碑記上寫道：「建設之首要端在文化，而文化之建設必推動各項藝文展演活動，展演則需有場所。」這兩座全新展演場域皆融合生活藝術與在地文化特色，有助藝術教育向下扎根、活化藝文活動、文創產業、觀光產業，並且提升人民生活品質與藝術涵養。
（台北時報記者林亞蒂）
Photo: Lin Ya-ti, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報林亞蒂
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