Pier-2 Art Center Introduction
The Pier-2 Art Center is a creative hub for port city culture, transforming the old warehouses of Kaohsiung Port into a vibrant space. Its origins can be traced back to the Japanese colonial period, primarily used for storing fish meal, sugar, and various import and export goods. As industries transitioned and international sugar prices fell in the 1970s, Taiwan's sugar industry declined, and warehouse usage dropped, leading to their abandonment. Following the shift of cargo functions from the port area, surrounding commercial activities dwindled, transforming this once-bustling trade hub into a forgotten waterfront space. Since 2000, the Kaohsiung City Government and the arts community have focused on revitalizing these warehouses through the "Idle Space Reuse Program," gradually transforming them into vibrant locales, naming it "Pier-2" after being located near the second transfer terminal of Kaohsiung Port. By 2006, the Pier-2 was officially managed by the Kaohsiung City Government's Cultural Affairs Bureau, developing into the most representative cultural and artistic park in southern Taiwan, attracting various art exhibitions, design creations, and music events, becoming an important symbol of Kaohsiung's urban transformation and injecting new cultural energy into this maritime city. Today, the Pier-2 Art Center has evolved into a gathering place for art and creativity, creating a vibrant cultural space for both citizens and visitors. With the opening of the Kaohsiung Waterfront Light Rail, traveling to and from Pier-2 has become more convenient, as the light rail connects the warehouse cluster and the harbor, linking various exhibition spaces and特色 attractions, allowing travelers to leisurely experience the unique artistic atmosphere and urban aesthetics. The Pier-2 Art Center, centered in the Dayong District, connects the Penglai District and the Dayi District through the waterfront light rail, creating a unique marine-themed cultural and creative atmosphere. The Pier-2 Tower serves as the best viewing platform to overlook the Dagang Bridge, requiring a small entrance fee of NT$10 per person. The opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM; Friday to Sunday and public holidays from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. The Dayong Warehouse Cluster is the starting point for the development of the Pier-2 Art Center, featuring some of the earliest exhibition spaces and gathering contemporary art, image culture, and cultural performances. Among them, the P2 and C5 warehouses were the first venues in the initial phase of Pier-2, still hosting static art exhibitions. Meanwhile, warehouses C1 and C2 now house the in89 Pier-2 Cinema, and C4 is occupied by Eslite Bookstore. In recent years, the Pier-2 Art Center has introduced the "Pier-2 Co-Creation Base," a newly planned cultural space designed as an open platform that combines co-creation values and knowledge sharing, fostering deep engagement in cultural and urban transformation. These changes have made the Dayong Warehouse Cluster not just an exhibition area but also a blend of imagery, reading, and innovative experimentation, continuously injecting diverse cultural energy into the Pier-2 Art Center. The Penglai Warehouse Cluster was officially incorporated into the Pier-2 Art Center in 2012 and connects with the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park, showcasing Kaohsiung's century-old railway history and contemporary artistic creativity. The Hamarain Taiwan Railway Museum within the warehouses boasts the largest dynamic railway model exhibition in Asia, attracting numerous railway enthusiasts and family visitors to explore. The Penglai Warehouse Cluster also serves as an important venue for performances and特色 markets, regularly hosting outdoor concerts, art markets, and immersive exhibitions, merging historical warehouses with modern culture, making it one of the most charming cultural hubs in the port city. The Dayi Warehouse Cluster consists of six warehouses and is the last area to be included in the Pier-2's map, primarily accommodating individual business studios as a base for cultural and creative industry development, featuring various unique shops and public art pieces hidden in the corners, as well as creative markets on weekends, making it the most culturally vibrant area in the entire art park. The Pier-2 Art Center frequently hosts numerous annual art events, such as the Kaohsiung Design Festival, Container Arts Festival, Pier-2 Anime Festival, and Steel Sculpture Art Festival, gathering artists and designers from home and abroad. Through exhibitions, installation art, music performances, and immersive experiences, art becomes part of daily city life, bringing unique cultural vitality to Kaohsiung. Whether participating in these art events or strolling along the harbor under the sea breeze, the Pier-2 Art Center has become part of the lives of art lovers, creative travelers, and residents. It is not just a tourist spot but a continuously evolving artistic community where every visitor can find their own stories and inspirations within this cultural landmark.
