Autumn Bookroom Introduction
Chiayi Utopia, an artistic salon for the youth, is a bookstore that is entirely non-commercial in nature. It was founded by Qiu Sugi, the owner of Taichung 107 Gallery, as a platform for young people in Chiayi to connect and share. The space combines elements of coffee, music, and books. Under the artistic transformation by the artist who refers to himself as "impractical," the Autumn Book Room, housed in this acute-angled triangular old building, stands amidst the traffic on Forestry West Road, resembling a ship that sets sail at sunset, dreaming together while awake. Whether you are immersed in a sea of books, pondering in silence, or lounging at the bar in need of caffeine or the collision of contemporary thoughts, the Autumn Book Room has no specific business offerings, allowing for free expression once on board. Noteworthy is the atypical bookstore space crafted by designer Tsai Chih Hsien, with a dialogue between old and new materials, a mix of rigid lines and gentle curves, the angle of the slanted stairs, the play of light and shadow from outside the windows, and freely arranged books, all culminating in the suspended ship machinery on the third floor at the apex of the acute-angled triangle. Standing at the bow during dusk to watch the sunset is a magnificent sight. Book lovers should take their time to treasure hunt; these books are the private collection of founder Qiu Sugi, generously made available for reading. If you happen to encounter him in the Autumn Book Room, be sure to sit down and chat, as that is the right way to open up the artistic salon. *Business Hours: Appointment only. Image source: Chiayi City Government Tourism and News Office | Photography: Marg.
