The Red House
This monumental red brick building (one-third octagon, one-third cross) was built by the Japanese in 1908 to serve as a produce market. Under the Taiwanese it was transformed into a movie theater for a number of years, but now it's returned to its original purpose...with a twist. Instead of its vendors selling cucumbers and mangoes, the Red House serves as a home for small, Taiwanese designers, most of whom are opening up their first shops (booths really). Each artisan who gets a space must apply to a government arts panel for the privilege of selling here.
The goods you'll find are quirky, fun and original, ranging from T-shirts with original designs to purse-like cellphone holders printed with vintage Taiwanese posters, to jewelry of all sorts, to home goods. And part of the fun of visiting here is that you'll usually meet the artist who's behind the goods. Most sit at the counter, crafting merchandise and manning the cash register.
This monumental red brick building (one-third octagon, one-third cross) was built by the Japanese in 1908 to serve as a produce market. Under the Taiwanese it was transformed into a movie theater for a number of years, but now it's returned to its original purpose...with a twist. Instead of its vendors selling cucumbers and mangoes, the Red House serves as a home for small, Taiwanese designers, most of whom are opening up their first shops (booths really). Each artisan who gets a space must apply to a government arts panel for the privilege of selling here.
The goods you'll find are quirky, fun and original, ranging from T-shirts with original designs to purse-like cellphone holders printed with vintage Taiwanese posters, to jewelry of all sorts, to home goods. And part of the fun of visiting here is that you'll usually meet the artist who's behind the goods. Most sit at the counter, crafting merchandise and manning the cash register.
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