Christmas Star-Gazing Fun in New Taipei City – Compete in the Vastness of Space & Shine with Cosmic Rice Balls!

‘In this universe, for every person who has ever lived, there is a corresponding star shining in the sky.’ — Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: A Space Odyssey Jingle bells, jingle bells, next week is Christmas time already—where will you be celebrating? Why not come to New Taipei City? Not only can you admire the giant Christmas tree at the New Taipei City Christmas Festival, but you can also enjoy fun “star” photo ops here too. The colorful cosmic rice balls are delicious, and the unique cosmic specimen exhibition is full of creativity!

Remember the hit photo spot “Planet Workshop” that was exhibited at Gold Mall in September this year? The average 3-hour wait time left many cosmic fans disappointed they couldn’t get in. Don’t worry—the Planet Workshop has teamed up with Global Mall Banqiao Station to bring the cosmic rice balls to New Taipei for the first time during the Christmas and New Year season!

“Planet Workshop” draws inspiration from the symbolism of stars and individual experiences. Each participant represents a shining star in the vast universe. Artist San Chen developed exclusive cosmic recipes and color palettes based on the natural colors and symbolic meanings of ingredients, inviting participants to choose food elements that symbolize themselves and create their very own cosmic specimens.

Limited-time Christmas highlight – the “Wishing Star” cosmic rice ball, an experience only available in New Taipei, developed by the art team. (Provided by the organizer)

Through highly engaging interactive modes, vibrant lighting and sound effects, and an environment setup that resembles a cosmic factory, visitors can not only create their own stars using rice and natural ingredients, but also immerse themselves in a dreamy mini-universe. Art × Cultural Creativity × Shopping Mall × High Tech = Taste the Flavors of the 22nd Century

The artist behind this project, San Chen (Chen Si’an), previously served as the head of the Education Development Group at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei and is currently a resident artist at the Qi Mei Cultural and Creative Hub LAB. She is skilled in creating with theatrical language and spatial scenarios and has recently incorporated food as a medium of art, exploring various possibilities in artistic creation.

Limited-edition cosmic specimens for the Christmas season – showcasing a warm and festive atmosphere. (Provided by the organizer)

This project’s first exhibition was initiated by the artist in collaboration with Qi Mei Cultural and Creative Hub and held in September this year at the Gold Mall in Taichung. The Christmas-season exhibition is a collaboration between the organizer, Global Mall, and the artist, relocating the exhibition to the second floor of Global Mall Banqiao Station in the north—a transit hub with easy access via three major railway lines—and establishing a limited-time art shop.

With the storytelling of the cosmos and Christmas starry-sky-themed installation, participants go through a fun laboratory-like ingredient selection process. They place their chosen cosmic recipe into the cosmic manufacturing machine to produce a one-of-a-kind cosmic specimen rice ball. Additionally, in collaboration with “TIGER,” Taiwan No. 9 rice and natural ingredients are used along with TIGER’s high-tech rice-cooking technology to cook delicious rice balls that are not only meaningful but also a delight to savor. Let’s feel the twinkling stars in the universe and create your very own cosmic star!

《Planet Workshop PLANET FACTORY》. (Provided by the organizer)

《Planet Workshop PLANET FACTORY》

Cosmic Specimens × Food Color Palettes × Your Own Star × Delicious Rice Balls

Time: December 13, 2017 (Wed) – January 7, 2018 (Sun) (Open on January 1)

Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00–20:00 (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Location: Global Mall Banqiao Station (No. 7, Section 2, Minsheng Blvd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City)