Museum opens to preserve Taiwan’s photographic legacy

The National Center of Photography and Images in Taipei is now opened to the public. Housed in a restored historic building in Zhongzheng District, the center will promote Taiwanese photography and image-based art through exhibitions and other events. During its soft opening, there will be three free photo exhibits, including a showcase of photos taken in Taiwan from 1869 to 1949.

This is the National Center of Photography and Images. This building was originally the Osaka Shosen Kaisha Taipei Branch. It was designed by Japanese architect Setsu Watanabe in 1937, and was one of the last reinforced concrete buildings in Taiwan built during World War II. The building is built in the Asian Renaissance style, showcasing a mixture of Japanese and Western elements. In May 2014, this building was designated by the Department of Cultural Affairs as a municipal heritage building. In the same year, the Ministry of Culture decided to repurpose the building and establish the National Center of Photography and Images, to serve as a platform for presentation, exhibition, research and international exchanges.

Fu Yuan-cheng
NCPI Head of Taipei Office
In the beginning, its purpose was mainly to rescue Taiwan’s photographic assets. We also hope that through rescuing Taiwan’s photographic assets, we can also preserve and maintain them.

The National Center of Photography and Images in Taipei was inaugurated in March 2021.The building is operated by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. During its soft opening from March 24 to April 18, organizers will hold three exhibitions. One is called "A Handful of Dust: From the Cosmic to the Domestic," curated by David Company from the International Center of Photography in New York. The exhibition features works by Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp, and explores the relationship between photography and art in the early 20th century.

Fu Yuan-cheng
NCPI Head of Taipei Office
It was developed by the curator David Company, who was inspired by an image taken by Man Ray. The exhibition curated by David Company will display 66 works. The exhibition is a touring international exhibition. Taiwan is the tour’s last stop.

The other exhibition called “Hold the Mirror up to His Gaze,” is the first large-scale exhibition featuring historical images from mid-20th century Taiwan. There are photographs of indigenous tribes and Taiwanese landscapes shot by Scottish photographer John Thomson in 1869.

Fu Yuan-cheng
NCPI Head of Taipei Office
These 600 or so photos were taken between 1869 and 1949. Concepts used by the curator include images of colonization, the technological history of images, and the first generation of Taiwan photographers.

The exhibition presents over 600 photos taken from 1869 to 1949, spanning the period from the Qing Dynasty to the Japanese colonial era. Those interested can reserve spots in advance to visit the building.