Olympus Plaza Taipei Dadaocheng Flagship Store | photo poster project | Taiwan | Gallery Feature | Focus #700

cizucu hosts the photo poster project (ppp) exhibitions around the world. The expansion of these activities is supported by the presence of galleries that have cultivated spaces together in various regions.

This feature spotlights these partner galleries, exploring the intentions embedded in each place and the voices of those who sustain them.

This time, we visit the OLYMPUS brand flagship store, Olympus Plaza Taipei Dadaocheng Flagship Store, located in Dadaocheng, Taipei. In this space where the gallery and various experiences intersect, what kinds of encounters and expressions are born each day? We spoke with Sabrina, the store manager who has always supported us, about her thoughts on cultivating this space and her impressions of the ppp.

The phrase 'A Century-Old Flagship' encapsulates everything about this place.
From Tokyo to Taipei, and from 1919 to 2019, OLYMPUS has crossed a century to arrive in Dadaocheng.
Here, we encountered a building with a hundred years of history, constructed in 1919. Originally owned by the Lee family, it was purchased in 1941 by Dr. Chang Wen-Chen, who opened a pediatric clinic. In 1953, Mr. Kuo Kuo-Liang acquired the property, operating it as a shop dealing in dried goods and other products.

In 2019, OLYMPUS embarked on a new journey with this century-old house, never forgetting its founding principle of 'bringing photography into daily life.'
Exploring various possibilities, we are building a new brand experience. With comprehensive services, courses, spaces, and facilities, we enable users to complete everything from 'purchase, learning, appreciation, to exhibition participation' here, enriching lives through photography.

What we value most are 'diversity' and 'the fusion of old and new.' We aim to be a space where works of all genres, generations, and modes of expression coexist naturally, highlighting each other's differences without negation.

For this reason, we avoid imposing a strong, fixed meaning or color on the space itself, designing it so that its character can change according to the artworks and exhibitions. We are mindful to leave 'room for experimentation,' including in aspects like lighting and acoustics, so that artists can freely explore their creative processes.

Dadaocheng, where Olympus Plaza Taipei is located, is one of the few places in Taipei where you can simultaneously feel the 'depth of history' and 'contemporary creativity.'

It was once a major commercial and cultural center in Taiwan, and many century-old townhouses, traditional industries, and human stories remain. At the same time, more young creators, design brands, and art and culture collectives are moving in.

Dadaocheng is also a place of profound fascination for photography. From the historic architecture along Dihua Street, the everyday life of the city, the expressions of its people, the evening views of the wharf, to the textures of the city—just a short walk reveals scenes that feel as if they are being born in the moment. Here, you can not only take photographs but also sense the city's memories and changes through the lens.

I feel very fortunate to be able to operate this space in a century-old house. The hundred-year history of the brand and the century-old culture rooted in Dadaocheng overlap, and I hope this becomes a place where visitors can find new inspiration at the intersection of 'image, architecture, and culture.'

In the future, I believe galleries will not only be places to exhibit works, but also platforms that connect creators, audiences, and communities.

In the digital age, images are produced and consumed in vast quantities every day. However, physical spaces where people can pause, view, interact, and reflect are becoming even more precious.
The value of a gallery lies not only in 'viewing exhibitions,' but also in providing opportunities for face-to-face interaction, sharing creative processes, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

For Olympus Plaza Taipei as well, we aspire for this to be more than just a brand space, but a cultural hub that connects exhibitions, talks, workshops, and photographic exchanges.
In the future, galleries may become even more open creative communities, where people of different generations and backgrounds meet through 'images.'

The most valuable aspect of the photo poster project (ppp) is not just the exhibition itself, but the photographic community that forms behind it.

ppp is an initiative that extends photography beyond individual creative acts, fostering ongoing exchange and collective growth. Participants share their observations, experiences, and life stories through exhibitions, discovering diverse worldviews in each other's works. Each exhibition feels like a 'dialogue about images.'

ppp is a platform that encourages creators to speak out with courage. Both established photographers and those just starting out are welcome; what matters is not just technique, but how each person expresses their understanding of life, the city, and the era through images. 

That is why ppp is not just a photography exhibition, but a community created by people who love photography. Through the growing number of ppp participants, creative energy accumulates, connecting people from different backgrounds, and we experience firsthand that photography is also 'a way to understand the world and share inspiration.'

I believe ppp is not just a photography exhibition, but a platform where creators can continuously interact, share, and grow together. This philosophy closely aligns with the direction of photographic culture we have promoted for many years. That is why we wanted to support ppp. We hope more creators will have opportunities to be seen, and more audiences will feel the power of photography through the works. 

For us, supporting ppp is not simply about backing a single photography exhibition. It is also about supporting those who seek to document the times and share stories through photography.

At Olympus Plaza Taipei, we hope to meet not only photographers, but all those who are curious about the world and enjoy observing everyday life.

Whether you are just starting out with a camera, have been creating for years, or simply love viewing exhibitions, we hope you find opportunities to connect with others in this space. I believe that photography and artworks are languages that connect people across age, profession, and background. 

The three values we cherish most are 'sincerity,' 'sharing,' and 'exploration.' Being honest with one's own creative work and perspective. Sharing experiences and stories with others. Maintaining a spirit of curiosity about the world. These are more important than photographic technique and are the community spirit that Olympus Plaza seeks to foster. 

We hope this space becomes an open platform where different perspectives meet, engage in dialogue, and where new ideas and possibilities emerge through interaction.

I have always wanted Olympus Plaza Taipei to be more than just an exhibition space, but a hub that continuously nurtures creativity and cultural exchange. Going forward, I hope to invite creators from even more diverse fields, making this a place where photography and artworks are not only viewed, but also engage in various forms of expression and dialogue.

At the same time, I want to deepen our connection with the local community. Dadaocheng is a district rich in stories, and I believe that if creators can form deeper relationships with this place through local documentation, many fascinating works and exchanges will emerge. 

I hope Olympus Plaza Taipei becomes a significant milestone in many people's photographic journeys. For example, if this is the place where someone first saw an exhibition, first publicly exhibited their work, or first met like-minded peers. Witnessing the beginning of such creative stories would be the most valuable achievement for this space.

What truly matters to us is not the number of works exhibited, but whether this space continues to bring people together through photography and artworks, fostering new connections and possibilities.

If you are visiting Olympus Plaza Taipei for the first time, I hope you will see it as a place to 'take your time viewing photographs, meet creators, and rediscover the allure of photography.'

This century-old house in Dadaocheng holds many stories related to the city, culture, and photography. Regardless of your familiarity with photography, I encourage you to step in with curiosity. You are sure to find your own inspiration.

And to creators considering exhibiting: you do not need to wait until you become a 'great photographer' to share your work. Many moving photographs are born from sincere observation and a unique perspective.
I personally look forward to seeing more voices from creators of different generations and backgrounds. I sincerely hope this space continues to be a place for creative encounters and exchanges through photography.