TAIWAN: Kaohsiung - Pier 2 - Sculptures & Installations - Formosa Biennial & Steel Sculpture Festival

The PIER 2 art quarter is one of Taiwan’s most famous cultural and creative districts, located in the Kaohsiung harbor area. The former warehouse and industrial site was transformed into a modern art and cultural center in the early 2000s. Today, the site brings together contemporary art, design, exhibitions, cafés, shops, and public installations across several acres right on the waterfront. The space is particularly known for its large-scale streetart murals, rotating art exhibitions, and the blend of industrial architecture. On this page you will find especially the sculptures, statues and installations. In addition to numerous individual events such as the FORMOSA SCULPTURE BIENNIAL in 2013, the KAOHSIUNG INTERNATIONAL STEEL & IRON SCULPTURE FESTIVAL, or KISISF for short, has been held every two years since 2002 and is officially organized by the Bureau of Cultural Affairs of the Kaohsiung City Government. We have a lot of photos from PIER 2 and divided them into three categories, check out as well the page for Streetart and the page for Traffic Art. After the photos you will also find a map of the harbor area with its important spots and the Hamasen Railway Park. The following photos were taken by traveller and streetart lover MAZZANTI.

„Bumblebee“ – Transformer Statue – 2011 – MAYDAY

This impressive installation is known as “Bumblebee” or simply the “Transformer.” The giant robot was originally a stage prop for the “DNA World Tour” of the famous Taiwanese rock band MAYDAY (五月天). After the tour ended in 2011, the band donated the statue to the Pier-2 Art Center, where it has since become one of the most popular outdoor sculptures and a well-known photo spot.

Rock Band: MAYDAY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imayday55555

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/16s0YTFcyjP4kgFwt7ktrY

Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCQyweuVOAh3NHGKDDadRSbg

„Labor and Fishwoman“ – CHEN TING-JIN

Design Artist: CHEN TING-JIN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chentingjintravaux

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chentingjin_travaux

Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/artist/chen-ting-jin-ting-jin-chen

„Sit here, do nothing“ – LEE CHI-YING

This artwork was created by local artist LEE CHI-YING, also known as LI JI-YING. The piece, titled “Sit here, do nothing,” depicts two fantasy figures perched on the ledge of the C5 warehouse. Their names are: Juan Juan Bao, the figure with the striking red-and-white mushroom hat. And Tai Kong Bao, the figure in the blue astronaut suit with a star on the chest. Due to their size and popularity, they are often jokingly referred to as the “Big Shots” of the art center. With this work, the artist has created a playful reminder that it is important to pause in the midst of hectic daily life

Artist: LEE CHI-YING – LI JI-YING – 李霽烜

„Chores of Guan Gong“ – Formosa Sculpture Biennial – CHANG NAI WEN

This sculpture, titled “Chores of Guan Gong”, also known as “The Big Shot’s Chores” or “Dà hóng rén de zá wù,” was created during the FORMOSA SCULPTURE BIENNIAL in 2013 by the Taiwanese artist CHANG NAI WEN. The work depicts the mighty god of war, Guan Yu, holding a simple mop instead of his legendary weapon. This is often interpreted as a metaphor for the powerlessness of traditional justice and values in modern society or as a humorous commentary on everyday life with its theme “gods doing housework”.

The statue itself is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), which has been treated to give it a classic, stone-like appearance in a muted, dark shade. The mop is an integrated element that replaces the deity’s traditional spear (guandao). CHANG NAI WEN is known for works that deconstruct historical figures and reflect on social realities with a touch of humor.