[Ibn Battuta: The Traveller of Islam, Jordi Savall]
[It’s Insanity: (Goom Gum Remix), Alphadog]
Regretfully just my second of two posts on Kaohsiung, as I desperately wanted to write a third on the port terminal but could not manage to shift our firm itinerary, I had the rare opportunity to see this building from afar and up close. The cityscape of Kaohsiung is impressive on it’s own and inspired me to dig deeper into the path of serendipity and as I’ve been told not once, but twice and a third time by people I trust admire- to just let go.
I kept asking myself- why, why go to the top of the hill for a view of the city- when I think back, I had an unacceptable amount of resistance and judgement. While uncomfortable and incredibly frustrating, I’ve learned that when we can let go- all of this is worth it on the other side. The Kaohsiung Music Center is one part of a beautifully reconsidered part of the harbor front- perfect for a long wandering walk (with Pier 2 Art Center along the way).
It’s rare that I can’t imagine what a building would be like on the inside, but this one really befuddles me. Where would the performance hall lie inside here? The pattern of the grate on the exterior must make for excellent shadows on the interior- would it feel closed in? It was closed on this Monday but when I return to Taiwan, it’s my goal to return and see a performance here.
Like an auspicious lion praying to the sky or a sphinx to guard the city, this building stands to face the world with resounding confidence. To me, it represented the rebirth of this city and the embrace of new ideas, creativity and a marker of the unique culture of Taiwan.
When I think back to this walk- I cannot be but immensely grateful for the opportunity to be in this space- for the sun, for the water and for one thing leading to another and lessons learned.
Address: No. 1號, Zhen’ai Rd, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803
Website: ArchDaily write-up
ofallthespaces 