Contemporary by U gallery is located on a quiet street adjacent to the vibrant Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei City. It officially opened on September 28, 2019.
The interior design of the gallery was carefully planned and constructed to utilize the original U-shaped space of the building. The entrance features two separate doors, with a simple black iron door leading into a space with a minimalist gray wall, creating a low-key atmosphere. Walking through the gallery's graceful movements along the tranquil corridor, visitors can see a contrasting white space with a clear glass door on the other side. This design provides a visual impact of color contrast that is harmonious and surprising, evoking the verse from the Chinese poet Lu You: "Amid mountains and water with doubts on the way, in the misty willow and bright flowers, another village comes into view." The meaning behind this verse is to explore and discover answers, and Contemporary by U hopes to provide visitors with a unique experience that leads to a visual and spiritual feast, immersing them in the universe of artistic emotions. The gallery aims to convey the message of returning to the beginning and exploring the mysteries of art while appreciating the serenity of the art world.
Unlike traditional galleries, Contemporary by U combines coffee and contemporary art in a simple yet creative way. The gallery offers carefully selected coffee and organic tea, and the founder integrated the coffee element into the gallery because coffee is a daily necessity for many people. In contrast, art is often viewed as distant and unapproachable. The gallery's mission is to remove the expensive label associated with art and make contemporary art accessible to a wider audience, allowing it to enter people's lives as effortlessly as coffee. Art is not only a culture but also a part of our lives, and amidst the hustle and bustle of life, a painting or artwork can provide tranquility, a sense of fulfillment, and an emotional and profound experience.
The letter "U" in Contemporary by U has three meanings for the founder. Firstly, the venue itself is designed in a beautiful U-shape; secondly, the name of the gallery's director contains the character "諭" which sounds like "U" in Mandarin Chinese; and thirdly, "U" represents the homophonic translation of "You" in English, which serves as the starting point for the gallery's concept. The goal of the gallery is to create a simple and cozy space without any sense of distance, in order to give art lovers a sense of belonging and a space for communication.
In the future, "Contemporary by U" will hold art lectures from time to time and collaborate with different international artists each season to hold exhibitions for art lovers. The establishment of "Contemporary by U" aims to bring a different kind of freshness to busy urban life, allowing friends who come to appreciate art and make connections through art to immerse themselves in the world of art in a warm environment.
