City Playground

Reviving Old City through Modern Performance

Instructor : Chin-Jung Nien

Client : Cloud Gate

Site : 22°59'37.5"N 120°11'43.3"E Tainan, Taiwan 2022 Winter

Tainan is an ancient city full of historical and cultural atmosphere, where street art performances often occur. However, the lack of formal performance venues has limited the development of these performances. Therefore, by utilizing The Spring (MVRDV) as a starting point for public entertainment and extend it to the Tainan city, so that performances can happen in various places without restrictions.

This is a process of dialogue between Cloud Gate and old houses, as well as a series of interactions with the city of Tainan, attempting to reinterpret modern dance and integrate it with the imagery of Tainan city.

What is important to preserve, for me? For whom? For the city?

Preservation

By preserving the facades and structures of old buildings, people can meet on the streets, and public activities happen more frequently, allowing them to feel the past activities and memories of the city.

Performers move through the roads, not being observed or monitored, returning to nature, and interacting with the streets and the city, allowing people to capture their postures and expressions.

The new buildings are attached lightly to the old city, and people cannot see their full appearance on the streets. Fragmented courtyards let light pour in.

The development of Tainan city is much more than what meets the eye, and the city's appearance is not merely shaped by a collection of historical monuments or the concept of an "ancient capital" or "historical city." What kind of perspective should we use to approach the preservation of old buildings in Tainan?