Autumn Bookstore Introduction
Chiayi Utopia, an artistic salon for young people, is a bookstore founded purely by chance by the owner of Taichung's No. 107 Gallery, Qiu Sijie. It serves as an exchange platform and artistic salon for the youth of Chiayi. The space is a fusion of coffee, music, and books. Under the artist's self-proclaimed "impractical" transformation, the old building, shaped like a sharp triangle, stands amidst the traffic on Linye West Road, resembling a ship that sets sail at sunset, allowing people to dream while being awake. Whether you are immersed in a sea of books, contemplating in silence, or lounging at the bar seeking caffeine or engaging in contemporary thoughts, Qiu Shu Studio has no specific business offerings, allowing freedom of expression once you embark. Notable is the non-typical bookstore space crafted by Xiao Yu (Cai Zhixian), where dialogues between new and old materials, the mix of rigid lines and gentle curves, the diagonal angles of the stairs, the light and shadows from outside the windows, and the freely displayed books come together. The focal point eventually lands on the suspended ship mechanism on the third floor, located at the tip of the sharp triangular building. At dusk, you can stand at the bow of the ship and enjoy the splendid sunset. Book lovers should search carefully, as these books are part of the founder Qiu Sijie's personal collection, generously made available for reading. If you meet him at Qiu Shu Studio, be sure to sit down and have a chat; that's the right way to open up the artistic salon. Image source: Chiayi City Government Tourism Bureau | Photographer: Mag.
