Weiwuying - From Military Compound to Cultural Center

　Weiwuying is one of Kaohsiung's two 2022 Taiwan Lantern Festival main venues. National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) was opened in October 2018, and since then, it has undergone an amazing transformation, from its original 47-hectare military compound to an amazing modern architectural masterpiece. Today, it is a popular landmark, where locals come to enjoy performances and stroll around its surrounding Metropolitan Park. National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) sits on a 9.9-hectare lot and occupies a floor area of 3.3-hectares.

　20 years ago, the military complex was isolated from the surrounding city by a towering stone wall.  After the Second World War, Weiwuying became a training center for new recruits. It was decommissioned at the end of the Cold War, and in 1992, the "Green Revolution Movement" was launched, and the complex began to be transformed. At first, the city considered several options for the reconstruction project that included a public housing project, a university, and an eco-friendly metropolitan park. It was finally decided that it would become southern Taiwan's first international performing arts venue surrounded by lush greenery.

　Weiwuying was designed by Francine Houben, who was inspired by the beauty of the local banyan trees. The architect noticed the locals enjoyed participating in numerous activities around the old trees and thus made the banyan the central focus. She envisioned a square performance area where people could enter from all sides. She hoped to design a place where people could roam freely, enjoy various performances and shorten the gap between art and life. 

　Even now, Weiwuying is still undergoing transformation. The historical three-building military complex is currently being turned into performance spaces for indoor creations, a theater, an exhibition space, a dance studio, etc. Spring Wind Art Theatre and Taipei National University of the Arts will be using these spaces for various small theater performances, interactive art camps, etc. The city hopes that other groups will also bring their creative energies and that Weiwuying will continue to find new purposes. 

　After 20 years, Weiwuying has been repurposed and reconstructed. Kaohsiung citizens can now enjoy a beautiful art venue that is nestled in lush greenery on a historical site. This year, it is the first time that lanterns have been integrated into the surrounding environment. This also parallels Weiwuying's historical roots that have merged into the modern architecture. This year's lantern festival also embodies the fusion of tradition and modernity, with its state-of-the-art lighting aesthetics mixed with traditional lanterns. Weiwuying is a tremendous place to visit and enjoy its art ambience, along with modern performances and cultural events.

軍營變藝文中心 衛武營打造城市藝術綠洲

　　衛武營是2022台灣燈會在高雄的雙主場之一，早已是高雄藝文的新亮點。假日到衛武營看演出、悠閒地在森林公園散步已成為市民的生活日常，讓人很難想像20年前，這裡是高牆圍繞的軍事營地。

　　二戰後衛武營成為新兵訓練營區，冷戰結束後退役，1992年民間發起一場「南方綠色革命運動」讓衛武營從國宅、大學等選項轉向都會自然生態公園，並打造南台灣國際級的表演殿堂。

　　2018年10月，衛武營以國家藝術文化中心的全新面貌誕生。這座總面積9.9公頃、建物面積3.3公頃的藝術中心，毗鄰47公頃的衛武營都會公園為鄰，在大片綠意環繞下，場館以極具流線的外觀，流暢的弧度滑入地面；荷蘭建築師法蘭馨・侯班觀察當地民眾喜愛在衛武營老榕樹群下活動，因此以老榕樹群為靈感來源，轉化為富有穿透感的廣場空間，人們可以從四面八方自由進入的場館，每個人都可以在此自由地漫遊休憩、欣賞各種精彩演出，讓生活與藝術的距離更接近，一如衛武營的規劃主軸：一座眾人的藝術中心。

　　衛武營的蛻變仍在進行式，都會公園內具歷史意義的三連棟兵營建築群，重新規劃後將做為室內創作、劇場、展場、舞蹈場地等的展演基地，2022年南風劇團、北藝大將進駐創作，屆時將會有各種小劇場規模的展演與互動式藝術營隊等，讓藝術家創作能量再向外擴散。

　　歷經20年的推動和建設，如今高雄人擁有了一座綠意豐沛、人文厚澤的藝文場域，為城市生活注入更多文化涵養。2022台灣燈會在高雄以衛武營為雙主場之一，配合多樣化的地景面貌，首次結合周邊生態環境，以策展形式融入燈光美學的地景藝術，顛覆傳統元宵花燈的既定形式，讓世界的目光聚焦在高雄。