Brian Q. Webb
Today, October 10 2011, marks 100 years since the Wuchang uprising that sparked the end of the Qing Dynasty and the Imperial Era in China and the beginning of the Republic of China government. It has since survived World War II and the Maoist revolution to create the autonomous state of Taiwan and evolve there into the only example of Chinese self-governance in the totality of Chinese history.
Not bad for the first century.
Almost directly across from the National Taiwan Museum entrance at 228 Peace Memorial Park is the Land Bank old building. Now, I know what you’re thinking:
“A bank. How exciting.”
It is. First off, it’s a great example of colonial-era architecture of which there are not many. More importantly, there is a large exhibition hall inside…
In addendum to this week’s travel article on Minquan Old Street in the Sanxia District of New Taipei City, here are a few more pictures.
Like Dasi Old Street in Taoyuan, Minquan Old Street in Sanxia was born in the early part of the 20th century. Like Daxi, it came out of being strategically located on a commercially-trafficked river. Unlike Dasi, as roads and rails replaced the rivers used to transport goods and reduced the commercial importance of such market hubs, Minquan Old Street didn’t really re-invent itself in any manner. It’s buildings and shops still appear as they would have decades ago in the time of our grand-and-great-grandparents.
One thing that I’ve discovered about Taiwan, especially outside of Taipei, is that people want you to know how they make things. Be it a food stall in a local night market, a piano factory in Taoyuan, or a bakery in the Sanxia district of New Taipei City (formerly Sanxia city).
This week’s Photojazz Five interviewee is one of the good guys. No, he doesn’t wear underwear outside of a brightly-colored unitard and sport a cape (although he should), but he does have a selfless heart. Through his administration at PhotoMalaysia and with 35 years of experience in his utility belt (next to thebatarangs), he mentors other photographers in his community, both through authoring articles and actual, physical tutoring. Along with another administrator at PhotoMalaysia, he conducts regular “Photosafari Experiences” (PMPE), which consist of a couple of in-classroom days followed by one-to-three weeks of hands-on shooting in exotic Asian locales.
Oh, and he’s a good street photographer, too.
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