Autumn Book Room Introduction
Chiayi Utopia, an Artistic Salon for Young People, is a bookstore that operates without commercial considerations. It was established by the owner of Taichung's 107 Gallery, Qiu Siki, as a platform for交流 and an artistic salon for the youth of Chiayi. The space brings together elements of coffee, music, and books. Under the artistic transformation described as "non-utilitarian" by the artists, this old sharp-triangle building known as Qiu Shu Shi stands amidst the traffic on Forestry West Road. The architectural form resembles a ship, setting sail at sunset, dreaming together while awake. Whether you're immersing yourself in a sea of books, contemplating in silence, or lounging at the bar seeking a dose of caffeine or the collision of contemporary thoughts, Qiu Shu Shi has no specific business items and allows for free expression once onboard. What deserves careful appreciation is the atypical bookstore space crafted by designer Cai Zhixian, where dialogues between old and new materials, the mixing of rigid lines and graceful curves, the angle of slanted stairs, the interplay of light and shadows from outside the window, and freely arranged books all coalesce. The focal point ultimately lands on the suspended ship machinery located at the apex of the sharp triangle. Standing at the bow during dusk to watch the sunset is a magnificent sight. Book lovers should search carefully, as these books belong to the founder Qiu Siki and are generously provided for reading. If you encounter him at Qiu Shu Shi, be sure to sit down and chat, as that is the correct way to unlock the artistic salon experience. *Operating Hours: By Appointment Only. Image Source: Chiayi City Government Tourism and News Office | Photography: Mag.
