Taipei Travel

2017 Taipei Lantern Festival will take place in the city’s western district, and North Gate has become the center of attention for many. Since mayor Ko Wen-je ordered for the demolition of a nearby overpass, the previously obstructed North Gate now serves as the main feature of this year’s lantern festival as a 3D light show, depicting the past, present and future of this historic landmark, takes spectators on a journey through different eras of Taipei’s Ximen district and stories of its splendor.

Light show designer, Chen Yi-Chieh, explains the three-dimentional projection will be cast on the east, west and south sides of the structure. The theme of this year’s festival is “Xicheng (West Town) Carnival”. As a result, all business establishments stretching from North Gate, including the book stores on Chongqing S. Rd., the camera shops on Boai Rd., the postage vendors on Yanping S. Rd., the record boutiques and eateries of Ximending will all become a part of the festivity. Visitors can experience the full spectrum of local culture the area has to offer.

Department of Information and Tourism commissioner, Chien Yu-yen, points out that North Gate is a keystone of mayor Ko’s plan to revitalize the western district, that through the lantern festival light show Ximending can establish its presence in the forefront of prevailing trends and cultures to the participants of “Xicheng (West Town) Carnival”.

North Gate is not the only location where visitor can watch light shows this year. Another landmark of Taipei’s western district, Zhongshan Hall, will also be amongst the featured display. Designer Chen Yi-Chieh says, “Zhongshan Hall has always been a performance venue. Our light show, titled “Grand Theater of West Town,” makes use of the architecture’s spacial advantages to narrate the building’s history and the roles it has played across multiple eras. Our display here will be one of continuous transformation, incorporating both Eastern and Western artistic elements.”

 

Zhongshan Hall was built in 1932, originally intended as the city’s assembly hall. It has become a center of Taiwan’s diplomatic activities since 1945. Nowadays, Zhongshan Hall is a prominent venue for artistic performances. Our show, “Grand Theater of West Town,” utilizes the building’s multilayered spatial design to create a montage of Taiwan’s history and art forms into a light shows that incorporates elements of dance and other performances, turning Zhongshan Hall into a large outdoor theater.

Artistic designer Chen Yi-Chieh is in charge of this year’s light shows on both North Gate and Zhongshan Hall. She has led her creative team in similar projection projects, including those on National Taiwan Museum, Hsinchu City Government building, National Tsing Hua University and other international multimedia exhibitions.

2017 Taipei Lantern Festival’s main theme is “Westside Story, Taipei Glory.” It’s a 9-day festivity that tells the history and glory of Taipei’s western district. For a complete schedule of featured shows and activities, please visit http://2017.lanternfestival.taipei.

Link to light show demo video:https://www.facebook.com/taipeitravel/videos/1403464149678087/