Open up your world to new cultures and art. From the colourful graffiti walls in Austin to the creative parks in Taipei: our local guides take you to the best places for some artistic inspiration.
New Works of Art is the second in a series of four ‘Open Your World’ – articles, a cooperation between Heineken and KLM. In six weeks we crossed land and ocean to meet new people and discover and capture new experiences in twelve KLM destinations. From Mumbai to Vancouver and from Muscat to Santiago. Every article features three destinations with three hot spots each. All seen through the eyes of a local. Like what you see? Good for you, there are two more episodes to come!
I’m Tracy from Taipei, currently working at ACME Breakfast CLUB which is promoting the concept of fashion and fine food. I love the beach and really enjoy new challenges in life.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park & Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
From luxury brand exhibitions to street artists showcasing their work: everything that is hot and happening takes place in Taipei’s creative parks. The Huashan 1914 creative park is not only a park but also a place where city residents gather to socialise. Old industrial buildings have been given a new purpose and are now galleries and museums. Another great park is the Songshan cultural creative park, which used to be a tobacco factory. Songshan is now considered the creative hub of the city.
Both creative parks are located in downtown Taipei and considered as cultural heritage. The old buildings are still there, but the insides of the buildings have a new purpose, especially the variation in exhibitions. What attracts me to these places is that they gave these locations such a cool transformation. The old architecture in combination with new details and exciting art exhibits make these places certainly worth visiting.
The Fish Art Center is a small gallery compared to other ones in Taipei but I come here often to enjoy the new Art exhibitions. We visited “Color – Light Unification exhibition” and “Hair Performance art exhibition” by Huang Ming Chun, a local artist with a really nice style. The Color Light exhibition in particular is one that interested me a lot.
Treasure Hill is a very special place. Besides the history that makes this place unique, it is now a culture of its own. This old military veterans' housing community turned into an artist village is truly a diamond in the rough, and a favourite getaway for locals. Situated on a hillside between the edge of Gongguan District and Fuhe Bridge, Treasure Hill may actually be the best real-life example of an urban playground. Local and international artists live, work and exhibit in the same place. It is as if you are walking around in an open-air art exhibition.
Hi, my name is Marshall Tidrick and I am a native Austinite. I work as a full-time freelance photographer. I love to shoot on film cameras and take portraits of people. I always attempt to capture some part of what makes them who they are. Other things I like are beer, tacos, sushi, travelling, music and meeting new people. If you’d like to see what I’m up to please follow me on Instagram: @marshalltidrickphoto.
Whenever you’re in Austin, I think you should start your day with one of the most Austin things around: the breakfast taco! One would find it hard to hang around in the city for any amount of time without someone proselytizing the way of the taco. My favourite place to get a taco is Veracruz, one of Austin’s most famous taco spots, run out of a converted school bus on the side of the road.
I remember coming here when I was in high school. This is one of those Austin gems that really showcases what the city is all about. It’s one of the largest graffiti walls in Austin, full of life, character and charm. You really have to just venture out there yourself to fully appreciate it. You can climb around and see so many different layers to the art. You also have a pretty incredible view of downtown. I think this is certainly one of the best vantage points of Austin.
Teresita Fernández, Stacked Waters, 2009, cast acrylic, 240 in. x 795 in. x 561 in., Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Commissioned by the Blanton Museum of Art through the generosity of Jeanne and Michael Klein, 2008, Ⓒ Courtesy of the artist and Lehmann Maupin Gallery, New York.
Thomas Glassford, Siphonophora, 2016, rebar, polyurethane foam, base coat cement, and paint, 501 in. x 192 in. x 130 in., Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Purchase through the generosity of The Moody Foundation, 2017.
The Blanton is a museum I’ve visited many times throughout my years in Austin, and I would recommend it to any art-loving visitor to our city. It’s filled with awesome and frequently changing works of art, including a breathtaking piece lining the walls of the lobby that’s meant to resemble water. Outside, there is a chapel-like building designed by Ellsworth Kelly as a contemplative space on the University of Texas campus.
Ellsworth Kelly, Austin, 2015, artist-designed building with installation of colored glass windows, marble panels, and redwood totem, 60 ft. x 73 ft. x 26 ft. 4 in., Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Gift of the artist, with funding generously provided by Jeanne and Michael Klein, Judy and Charles Tate, the Scurlock Foundation, Suzanne Deal Booth and David G. Booth, the Longhorn Network, and other donors. © Ellsworth Kelly Foundation.
Beer and coffee served at the same establishment is also very Austin. The city has numerous options for this one, but the Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden is definitely one of my favourites. Cosmic features specialty coffee, locally brewed beer, craft cocktails, food trucks and live music in a permaculture inspired garden setting. They have their own garden where they grow herbs, vegetables and wildflowers that are used in their cocktails and food truck offerings.
Not to be missed is the Mexic-Arte Museum, an Austin museum founded in 1984. The museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. They hope to promote and develop a dialogue and understanding of these cultures to those who visit the museum. Many of the contemporary pieces focus on the current issues that are thriving on the Texas-Mexico border and the infamous Wall.
My name is Sebastián Montaño. I am 30 years old and live in Medellín, Colombia. I am a fashion designer and work as a fashion stylist and consultant for fashion editorials, music video productions and artists.
Two years ago I launched my own vintage clothing label and find inspiration in my travels. I soak up inspiration from local art in all of its forms, such as the unique fashion, history and culture of each village, city and continent.
Chota 13 is an influential social leader in the neighbourhood. He uses street art to express the feelings of this neighbourhood, whose history has proven that conflict can be overcome without having to use weapons. Take the aerial metrocable to get a wonderful view of the area and see its layout.
I always recommend this place to anyone who visits my city. Here you see very well how art plays an important role in development and how to transform a place with a turbulent history into a safe space with colourful colour bursts on the walls.
Plaza Botero is one of the most iconic representations of the paisa culture. A collection of 23 large sculptures created by the famous painter and sculptor Fernando Botero are found here.
The square tells the story of a city that is rising and becoming an innovative, powerful force. Located downtown, Plaza Botero is the perfect spot to explore numerous cultural activities, such as trade fairs, concerts and festivals.
The futuristic and innovative architecture makes this my favourite museum in the whole city. There are many activities like the monthly museum night with free admission to all museums, the cinema, the sound room and the temporary exhibits. The location itself is also worth a visit. From the museum you can exit straight onto the Parque Ciudad del Río, one of the most important gathering spots in the city. To me this is one of the most fun, educational and inspiring places in my hometown.
If you are looking for accommodation with an artistic flair, the Art Hotel is the place to be. This cosmopolitan, classic and elegant hotel is inviting you to walk in even if you are not staying here. The hotel is a fine example of innovative, subtle and sophisticated architecture.
Nestled in the heart of Zona Rosa, the city's nightlife district, Selina is the spot where tourists and locals mingle. This hostel has a flex work area, a gourmet restaurant, a tattoo shop and a gallery for urban art. This beloved meeting place draws new generations of graffiti artists, independent musicians, designers, stylists and anyone who enjoys colour, flavour and new experiences.
