Autumn Book Room Introduction
Chiayi Utopia, an Artistic Salon for the Youth This bookstore is entirely non-commercial and was founded by Qiu Sike, the owner of Taichung's 107 Gallery, as a platform for communication and an artistic salon for the young people of Chiayi. The space blends elements of coffee, music, and books. Transformed by the artist's self-declared "non-utilitarian" approach, the Qiu Book Room stands amidst the traffic on Forestry West Road in an acute triangular old house, resembling a ship ready to set sail at sunset, inviting everyone to dream while awake. Whether immersed in a sea of books, lost in thought, or lounging at the bar seeking caffeine or the clash of contemporary ideas, there are no specific business items at Qiu Book Room, allowing visitors to explore freely. What deserves careful appreciation is the atypical bookstore space crafted by Little Rain (Cai Zhixian), which showcases a dialogue between new and old materials, a mix of rigid lines and soft curves, the slant of the stairs, the light and shadows filtering through the windows, and the freely displayed books. The ultimate focus is on the suspended ship machinery on the third floor, located at the pinnacle of the acute triangular structure, where one can stand at the bow to admire the sunset during dusk—a breathtaking sight. Book lovers should take their time to treasure hunt through the collection, as these books are the private collection of founder Qiu Sike, generously offered for reading. If you encounter him at Qiu Book Room, be sure to sit down and have a chat, as that is the correct way to engage with this artistic salon. Image source: Chiayi City Government Tourism News Office | Photography: Margot
