By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
The “Love Tainan” photography exhibition is Taiwanese photographer Kawashima Kotori’s first exhibition in Taiwan in 2018. The acclaimed artist, who won Japan’s photography equivalent of the Oscars — the “Kimura Ihei Award”, presents works that are all captured through his own lens, reflecting various aspects of life in Tainan out of his deep love for the city. Kawashima believes the charm of Tainan lies in its land and air — the people who gather here and live their lives are infused with the energy and vitality of Tainan. In turn, this energy they absorb is given back to the land, creating a positive cycle on this soil.
The “Love Tainan” photography exhibition is Taiwanese photographer Kawashima Kotori’s first exhibition in Taiwan in 2018. The acclaimed artist, who won Japan’s photography equivalent of the Oscars — the “Kimura Ihei Award”, presents works that are all captured through his own lens, reflecting various aspects of life in Tainan out of his deep love for the city. Kawashima believes the charm of Tainan lies in its land and air — the people who gather here and live their lives are infused with the energy and vitality of Tainan. In turn, this energy they absorb is given back to the land, creating a positive cycle on this soil.
Kawashima Kotori’s “Love Tainan” photography exhibition. (Photo / Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
The hugely popular photographer loved across generations — Kawashima Kotori — is set to sweep through Tainan this February. Through his unique, loving perspective on Taiwan, he brings the “Love Tainan (Ai no Tainan)” photography exhibition to Anping Tree House, capturing fleeting yet eternal moments of the city through his lens. The exhibition runs from February 2 to May 2 at Anping Tree House, with opening hours matching those of the park.
Tainan is a city where traditional culture coexists with youthful creativity. This uniquely free atmosphere is what makes Tainan so beloved by Kawashima. The content of this photography exhibition reflects his personal visual interpretation of Tainan’s ambiance and charm. Set against the fantastical vibe and natural space of Anping Tree House, Kawashima’s photographic works are displayed in playful and multifaceted ways throughout the centuries-old, intertwined site. The coexistence of the photography exhibition and the tree house creates a harmonious and clever balance between the two as they reveal each other.
Tainan is a city where traditional culture coexists with youthful creativity. This uniquely free atmosphere is what makes Tainan so beloved by Kawashima. The content of this photography exhibition reflects his personal visual interpretation of Tainan’s ambiance and charm. Set against the fantastical vibe and natural space of Anping Tree House, Kawashima’s photographic works are displayed in playful and multifaceted ways throughout the centuries-old, intertwined site. The coexistence of the photography exhibition and the tree house creates a harmonious and clever balance between the two as they reveal each other.
Kawashima loves Tainan. This photography exhibition captures the atmosphere and charm he felt in the city through his own perspective and lens. (Photo / Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
Tainan is the most featured Taiwanese city in numerous Japanese travel books about Taiwan, second only to Greater Taipei. The enthusiasm Japanese people have for Tainan is directly reflected in the warmth of city-to-city exchanges. This world-renowned photographer is one of Tainan’s biggest fans. Kawashima Kotori spent considerable time in Taiwan, using his unique eye to document the daily life, ordinary people, animals, and street scenes of this island nation. Among them, Tainan holds a special place in his heart. He feels the people here are imbued with an ageless vitality that nourishes and accumulates continuously. Those who gather here are also touched by Tainan’s energy and liveliness. These energies converge and then give back to the city, creating a positive cycle that gives the city its uniquely captivating aura, which deeply fascinates him.
This exhibition is inspired by the theme of “playful, interactive daily life,” drawn from the photographer’s love for Tainan. His lens faithfully captures the sweetness, innocence, delicious food, and playful spirit of Tainan’s local culture. The exhibition combines Taiwanese playground equipment to present the works in a fun, high-low bar-style format, divided into three themed zones: “Smile,” “Play,” and “Interaction.” A total of 272 works will be exhibited in the century-old warehouse complex of Anping Tree House. Exclusive limited-edition postcards will also be available on-site.
This exhibition is inspired by the theme of “playful, interactive daily life,” drawn from the photographer’s love for Tainan. His lens faithfully captures the sweetness, innocence, delicious food, and playful spirit of Tainan’s local culture. The exhibition combines Taiwanese playground equipment to present the works in a fun, high-low bar-style format, divided into three themed zones: “Smile,” “Play,” and “Interaction.” A total of 272 works will be exhibited in the century-old warehouse complex of Anping Tree House. Exclusive limited-edition postcards will also be available on-site.
This exhibition is based on the 2017 book “Love Tainan” by Japanese photographer Kawashima Kotori. (Photo / Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
In addition, Kawashima Kotori collaborated across genres with “the nation’s eldest grandson” — musical genius Lu Guangzhong, both from Tainan. Together they created the music video “Cell Phone (Part 1),” featuring Kawashima’s photography and Japanese subtitles. The video continues to receive enthusiastic responses online. This exhibition offers a revisit to that piece, bringing visitors the most authentic Tainan-flavored audiovisual experience.
This exhibition allows visitors to relive the most authentic audiovisual experience of Tainan. The photo collection “Love Tainan” by Kawashima Kotori, which serves as the foundation of this exhibition, includes even more of his photography documenting Tainan. With its vivid imagery, the book has even been hailed in Japan as “the world’s most detailed guidebook to Tainan tourism.” To promote the book, Eslite Bookstore will open a pop-up store at Anping Tree House for the first time, making it convenient for visitors to purchase the book on-site.
This exhibition allows visitors to relive the most authentic audiovisual experience of Tainan. The photo collection “Love Tainan” by Kawashima Kotori, which serves as the foundation of this exhibition, includes even more of his photography documenting Tainan. With its vivid imagery, the book has even been hailed in Japan as “the world’s most detailed guidebook to Tainan tourism.” To promote the book, Eslite Bookstore will open a pop-up store at Anping Tree House for the first time, making it convenient for visitors to purchase the book on-site.
The exhibition runs from February 2 to May 2 at Anping Tree House. (Photo / Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
[Info]
Kawashima Kotori x Anping Tree House: Love Tainan Photography Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: February 2, 2018 – May 2, 2018
Exhibition Hours: Daily, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Exhibition Venue: Anping Tree House / No. 108, Gubao Street, Anping District, Tainan City
Kawashima Kotori x Anping Tree House: Love Tainan Photography Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: February 2, 2018 – May 2, 2018
Exhibition Hours: Daily, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Exhibition Venue: Anping Tree House / No. 108, Gubao Street, Anping District, Tainan City
Large-scale Asian debut exhibition of 100 works by legendary Japanese illustrator Toshie Iguchi
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