A recent art venue in Taichung, Stock 20 Taichung has been an unprecedented venture for the Council of Cultural Affairs turning an aged Taiwan Railroad Administration stockroom into a remarkable artistic hub. The name Stock 20 was derived from this fact and the famous Taichung art gallery is situated across the vicinity of Taichung Railroad Station, south of the station, over the railroad tracks. The gallery offers exhibition space for typical installation and contemporary art displays, including a café. The near art exhibit spaces are open to the public and serve as performance stage and foreign and local artist’s studios.
Specifically found at 6.6, Lane 37, Fu Xing Road, Section 4, it is the cultural headquarter as well as the main art studio of Central Taiwan. Numerous artists with innate talent have started their career there, similar to an art academy. Many exhibitions have been presented, paving success on various artists’ career. Actually, some artists that ‘finished’ from Stock 20 already earned good standing for themselves and as such, is turning into a cultural place of Taichung. Simply, Stock 20 is supposed to be the ‘nurturing center’ for many Taiwanese artists.
The stockroom was originally built in the 1930s during the Japanese occupation period and after this, left unused for several decades. It is sad that this happened at that time as, even while it was considered a historic place with a notable history record, it was treated like disregarded or forgotten remains.
Fortunately, the Council of Cultural Affairs came up with a plan and handed the decaying stockrooms to an art consulting company. These restructured the place into an art gallery. Shortly, coffee shops and art studios were added, and the once disregarded historical warehouses attracted flocks of visitors from other places. Today, it is referred to as ‘Stock 20’ and the center for prospect artists planning to conduct studies and experiments concerning art.
Next to Stock 20 is the Stock 21, which features experimental theaters. This place is mainly used for performance art exhibitions. After Stock 21 is the Stock 22, better known as the Creative Studio. In this venue, arts-oriented organizations or groups can organize fairs, film watching, seminars, and forums in the studio. Stock 23 until 26 are rooms used by artists as their private studios. The other six rooms are used for artists who plan to stay there for a longer period. A workroom is also available where the artists can keep their personal belongings, heavy or large equipments. Oftentimes, visitors can get around all the mentioned ‘stocks’ earlier. Near the Stock 20 Taichung is the Achilles Café where visitors can lurk while sipping coffee, watching trains pass by.
Stock 20 Taichung is known as the ‘experiment room for culture creative industry’ in Taiwan. It was also the first case of reusing an unused structure by the Council of Cultural Affairs. Through the numerous art events, it has been revived and become a distinct image of art in Taichung City after three years of hardship and effort. Numerous artists have stayed in this place and used it as an art academy for creation and research.
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