Autumn Bookroom Introduction
Chiayi Utopia, an artistic salon for the youth, is a bookshop that operates without commercial intent. Founded purely by chance by Qiu Siyi, the owner of Taichung 107 Gallery, it serves as a communication platform and cultural salon for young people in Chiayi. The space is filled with elements of coffee, music, and literature. Under the artistic transformation described as "impractical" by the artist, the autumn reading room, an old building with a sharp triangular shape, stands amidst the traffic on Linye West Road, resembling a ship ready to set sail at sunset, encouraging everyone to dream together while awake. Whether immersing in a sea of books, contemplating in silence, or lounging at the bar to seek caffeine or engage with contemporary thoughts, the autumn reading room does not have specific business offerings, allowing freedom of expression once on board. What deserves careful appreciation is the atypical bookstore space crafted by Xiao Yu and Cai Zhixian, showcasing dialogues between new and old materials, a mix of rigid lines and soft curves, the slant of the staircase, the interplay of light and shadow from outside the windows, the freely arranged books, and ultimately, the focal point at the top of the sharp triangular space—an airborne ship machinery. At dusk, one can stand at the bow to admire the sunset, a magnificent scene. Book lovers should take the time to search for treasures, as these books are the personal collection of founder Qiu Siyi, selflessly made available for reading. If you encounter him at the autumn reading room, be sure to sit down and chat; it’s the correct way to open the gates of this cultural salon. Image source: Chiayi City Government Tourism News Office | Photography: Mag.
