Beitou Foothills Festival
“Sketch map of Taipei Noryo Kai event’s venue” Taiwan Daily News 1913.08.09
Beitou area covers part of the Datun volcanoes and the Guandu Plain. The diversity of the landscape has shaped Beitou its unique scene; especially the volcanoes that have created the well-known hot springs. Because of the preference of people for hot springs, many advanced leisure concepts and activities like the hot spring resort and Noryo Kai event have been introduced. It also laid the foundation for the beauty of the Beitou recreation area.
The exhibition follows the context of the Beitou Noryo Kai event, and is divided into three themes: "Transportation in Beitou", "Recreation in Beitou", and "Diet in Beitou". For example, the operation of the sightseeing train had made Beitou the place with the most advanced transportation counstruction at the time. Many up to date entertainment were also introduced; for instance, the Western Katsudō Shashin, and Taiwanese local dragon dance. Nonetheless, the diversified food culture was presented to the public, such as frozen desserts and soda, which were rare at the time.
The Beitou Noryo Kai event had brought together leisure, consumption, and cultural activities, which was highly attractive in the time and space where there were few entertainment activities. The event not only symbolized the epoch-making significance of transportation, food, and activities, but also started the the prosperity of Beitou’s recreational culture. It promoted the development of leisure and entertainment, and led to the rise of humanities and arts.
“One day trip in Beitou” Taiwan Daily News 1919.04.26
Installation artwork description
"Beitou Festival Under The Hills” is inspired by the grand Beitou Noryo Kai event.The Large Bath was transformed into a vast ice dessert store, which integrated with the most advanced transportation, entertainment, and diversified food and beverage elements of Beitou at the time. It took us back in time to Taisho Romantic era a century ago. The application of fantasy scenes and art installations present the leisure, consumption, and cultural activities of Beitou, recreating the beauty of Beitou hot spring recreation area a hundred years ago.
It turns out that the Nuit Blanche event already appeared 100 years ago, and the location was in the place where we are most familiar with- Beitou!In 1913, Beitou Park and Beitou Public Baths (now Beitou Hot Spring Museum) were completed. In the same year, the largest ever “Taipei Noryo Kai” event was held. At the time, it brought together leisure, consumption, cultural activities, and attracted 5,000 and more people to attend the venue. The entire venue was illuminated by over 100 lanterns, just like the Nuit Blanche event.
In 2021, Beitou Hot Spring Museum follows history. From Xinbeitou station to walk along the hills, the hundreds of lanterns will be presented on the 2nd floor of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. By entering the museum, you will explore the gorgeous atmosphere of Taisho Romantic era in 1913. Centered around the Large Bath, there are three nostalgic ice deserts named “Transportation in Beitou”, “Recreation in Beitou”, and “Diet in Beitou” being presented. There are also other vintage booths aside. You will feel like entering a fantasy world like the movie “Spirited Away”, and the spectacular Beitou Nuit Blanche event a century ago is reproduced!
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"Aerial View of Beitou and Caoshan Area", "Taiwan Public Commentary", 1936.09.01
