After standing for 10 years, Tainan’s Hai’an Road “Blue Print” art installation to be removed in September

Reporter Zhou Youzheng / Comprehensive report

The “Blue Print” is coming down. After nearly 10 years as a renowned art attraction on Tainan’s Hai’an Road, the iconic Blue Print is set to disappear after September as the original property owner has decided to reclaim the space. This has not only saddened figures in the arts and culture community but also surprised many tourists and local Tainan residents.

▲ Tainan’s popular tourist attraction, the Hai’an Road “Blue Print.” (Photo / Provided by Open Culture Creative Co., Ltd. Please do not reproduce.)

Over the past 10 years, the Blue Print has been one of the must-visit spots for travelers in Tainan. Not only was it a favorite photo spot among locals, but it was also a popular place for couples to shoot their wedding photos. The news of its impending removal has sparked widespread lament. Original designer Liu Guocang, currently in Japan, conveyed through his company colleagues that the Blue Print has become a shared memory for the people of Tainan, and its removal is regrettable. However, he still respects the decisions and actions of the property owner and the Tainan City Government going forward.

Xin Yicheng, an arts and culture worker and fellow Tainan native, said she definitely feels it’s a pity, as the Blue Print is a must-visit site for many who come to Tainan, and the entire Hai’an Road is a district rich in local Tainan character. Cai Yichun, a Tainan native working in northern Taiwan, said that the Blue Print and the surrounding area of Hai’an Road were her top recommendation when bringing friends to visit Tainan. She expressed deep reluctance about its potential demolition, adding that even if it is recreated elsewhere in the future, it will lack the original charm.

▲ The “Blue Print” reflected in puddles of rainwater. (Photo / Sourced fromthe Blue Print Facebook fan page))

The Tainan City Urban Development Bureau stated that the Blue Print has stood for 10 years and has fulfilled its phased mission. In the future, the Blue Print may be recreated in other forms. Currently, the Blue Print wall is aging, and with frequent climbing by tourists, some are concerned that after the design team withdraws at the end of August, it could become a “dangerous wall.”