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In
Tainan City, not far from the East Gate and the Municipal
Cultural Center, an art center barely a year old is introducing
a broad range of arts to the urban community.
Run by professors and students from the Tainan National
College of the Arts (TNCA), a graduate institute located
in Tainan County's Kuantian, the Art Center TNCA is sponsored
by President Yang of Kao-Ching Construction Co., Ltd.
The exterior of this establishment is wrapped in silver-gray;
the crystal-clear walls reflect the treasures inside.
Bulletin boards provide details of upcoming concerts,
exhibitions, performances, and other activities. According
to Mr. Chen, who heads the Art Center TNCA, these have
included Colin Offord, a versatile musician from Australia
who plays handmade instruments, and a mandolin troupe
from the TNCA.
There are no limits for this art center. Rock music and
drama are equally welcome and both have been performed
here--this is what makes this art center so different
from others. A gift shop is planned.
This modern-looking venue has two floors and a basement.
As soon as you step in, the staff can guide you through
the three halls. Hall A focuses on monthly exhibitions;
Hall B features three-dimensional pieces; and Hall C
presents two-dimensional art works. Generally, displays
are renewed monthly.
Major events include the following: (1) Monthly Exhibits
(including calligraphy, paintings, photography, and reading);
(2) Face to Face with Masters (seminars with famous artists,
such as calligrapher Ms. Dong, and Cloud Gate dance troupe
founder Lin Hwai-min); (3) Music Appreciation & Teaching;
and (4) Films & Documentaries (on subjects including
Wusanto, feminism, and animation), with extracurricular
activities such as "Sipping Coffee With Directors" and
a "Motion Picture Producing Camp"; (5) Pottery;
(6) Contemporary Art Design (such as an exhibition of
mini chairs from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago);
(7) Metal Art Design (with extracurricular activities
like "Metal Art Design DIY"); and (8) Thematic
Events, for instance, a tea and music party sponsored
by The Chinese Art Of Tea Craft Union.
The second floor has an audio-visual room for showing
cartoons, movies, documentaries, or music or dance DVDs.
Shows are held at 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm.
The cafe on the same floor is run by Jimmy Su, who has
a master's degree in Sound & Image Studies In Documentary
from TNCA. His freshly-roasted coffee is said to be the
best in South Taiwan. Jimmy had planned to go to France
for further studies, but instead he stayed to fulfill
his dream of running a coffee shop. His venue has a lot
of space and is exceptionally cozy; you can sit at the
bar, or hide among the regular seats. There are newspaers
and magazines to read, and you'll likely to run into
some artists. You'll certainly enjoy every minute of
your leisure right here.
According to Miss Huang, the exhibition manager, the
Art Center TNCA is frequented mainly by artists, rather
than local residents. Many people don't see the arts
as a very important part of their daily lives, she says.
That's why the center has been working with various social
projects, such as the FNAC Photographing Marathon, Tainan
Enterprises Career Training, and the Emperor Skyscraper
Mid-Autumn Dinner Party. By promoting such activities,
Miss Huang cherishes a hope that citizens can enjoy easy
access to artistic events and ideas.
299, Sec. 2, Dongmen Rd., Tainan City
(06)209-6808
http://artcenter.tnca.edu.tw
Hours: 12pm~6pm (Tue.~Thu.); 12pm~8pm (Fri.~Sun.)
Mondays & National Holidays off
No entrance fee required
Caf'e & AV Center are open at 12pm~10:30pm Tue. through
Sun..
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