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At Pier-2, Collision is a Driving Force
It was once an abandoned and forgotten warehouse buried in history due to the move from an industrial based segment to the service sector. However, with a group of persistent artist who injected waves of creativity and inspiration into the area, the Pier-2 area was released and re-born making the region a place where tourist and locals can come together to enjoy fine art. With the collision of an old area and new fine art, Pier-2 becomes an area of new vitality and liveliness.
Located at the sides of the pier are the artistic warehouse clusters. Not only are there unlimited flows of cars, boats, sea breeze and people coming and going every day but also when looking at the vast ocean and sky, one is relaxed, stress-free with limitless thoughts. The encounter of the land and the ocean is so vast at Pier-2, it seems to symbolized the bright future ahead.
The Operation Center and the artists who have come to showcase their significant artworks both have their own dreams and visions for Pier-2. However both are willing to put down their differences to support one another and work towards a common goal which is the success of Pier-2. Despite the administrative and artistic conflict, both parties come together to become intimate partners, building an memorable and lasting image in the hearts of the people.
Great cooperation needs time and hardship to accumulate.
On Taiwan's Independence Day, October 10th, 2000, celebration fireworks were not only launched in Taipei. For the first time the government also decided to release fireworks in southern Taiwan, and Kaohsiung became the selected location. In order to find a suitable location to present fireworks, the organizers re-discovered the Pier-2 Warehouses just beside the harbor. Later in 2001, a group of passionate Taiwanese artists established the Pier-2 Artistic Development Association. Pier-2 has become the headquarters for artistic development in southern Taiwan.
The Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs took over the Pier-2 Art Center in 2006, starting a series of exhibitions and festivals such as the Kaohsiung Design Festival, the Chinese Character Exhibition, Kaohsiung International Steel & Iron Sculpture Festival, Kaohsiung International Container Art Festival, “Here comes the Kaohsiungers”, Mega Port Festival, The Wall Moon Theatre, Kaohsiung Youth Innovative Design Exhibition, Intertidal Region, Point & Wavy Ribbon Formation Performance Season etc. Every performance and exhibition filled the city with creative vibes injecting new life to the Pier-2 Art Center. In doing so, the center has continuously been presenting avant-garde perceptions and appearances, while building this port city into an attractive cultural and living hub.
