Jianyu Studio Introduction
▶The Creative Landmark in Old Hsinchu – Citilens Studio is located at No. 28, Chang'an Street, Hsinchu City, nestled within an old house. This space embodies the team's deep concern for the revitalization of old houses, cultural heritage, and issues pertaining to historic districts since its establishment, breathing new life into the old structure through restoration and revitalization efforts. Chang'an Street, formerly known as "Houche Road," is adjacent to the City God Temple and is home to numerous herbal medicine vendors, hence also called "Herb Lane." During the Japanese occupation, this area witnessed the opening of Hsinchu's first theater, the "Hsinchu Theater," followed by the subsequent emergence of three other theaters: New World, New Stage, and Central Theater, making Chang'an Street once known as "Movie Street." Drawing on the imagery of herbs and theaters, in June 2023, the space brand "Citilens Herb Theater" officially opened, becoming a diverse creative space focusing on urban issues, local regeneration, and artistic culture. It regularly hosts lectures, experiential courses, and exhibitions, infusing the city with more cultural and educational possibilities.▶Experience Urban Stories in Diverse Ways Here, in addition to visiting the permanent exhibition, visitors can also immerse themselves in the rich content adapted from the independently published local journal of Hsinchu, "Meatball Soup." For instance, exhibitions themed around the entertainment culture of Chang'an Street transport visitors back in time, recalling the cultural memories of this street. Each issue of "Meatball Soup" awaits visitors to browse through. Whether exploring the historic sites of old Hsinchu, tracing the life of the meatball, or wandering through Hsinchu's mountains and forests, one can embark on a paper-based urban journey through these texts and images. If one wishes to take Hsinchu's memories home, Citilens Studio has also developed a series of urban products, designing exquisite postcards and badges featuring Hsinchu's old maps and local specialties such as mullet roe, rice noodles, and persimmon cakes. These products serve not only as souvenirs but also allow Hsinchu's culture to accompany you daily.▶Launching Cross-Disciplinary Innovative Actions with Hsinchu as the Coordinate Citilens is a cross-disciplinary regional cultural brand, and we believe that recognizing the diverse aspects of local culture opens up possibilities for innovation. Founded in 2014, Citilens has gradually grown, expanding its service area beyond the greater Hsinchu region, continually translating local stories through various media, reshaping the relationships between people and places, and co-creating a sustainable cultural future.
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