Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Aug 2018 >

Taiwan is my favourite destination for exhibitions, considering the fact that my place of origin does not offer the same variety, volume and (wallet-friendly) admission rates. From global faves like Sanrio, Ghibli Studio, Disney characters, even Starbucks, to local creators, school graduation works and pop-up exhibits, I've been to no less than thirty of them in Taiwan, big and small, paid and free. This is an activity I highly recommend for free and easy travellers. 

Back to this exhibition... 

Capsule toys (or gachapon) - wrapped up miniature toy figurines in small plastic capsules, dispensed from vending machines after turning knobs - must not be unfamiliar for most. The craze originating from Japan has spread to a number of countries, giving birth to an addictive hobby for many, and a lucrative business for creators. Taiwan has warmly embraced the trend, each turn at a vending machine ranging from NT$50 to NT$200. Alternatively, you can find many shops selling these toys, allowing choice of items or full collections (vs leaving it to chance and getting duplicates).

Gacha Planet 扭蛋星球 (FB) brought together popular gachapon series such as Shakurel Planet 戽斗星球, Statue of Liberty 自由过头女神 and Fruits Zombie 水果僵尸 in one exhibition at Kaohsiung's Pier 2 驳二 - Da Yong Warehouse 大勇仓库. As with other exhibitions, be prepared to be inundated with related and exclusive merchandise. 

▼ Right at the entrance, the ticketing booth is designed to get patrons into the mood of embarking of a space journey, to Gacha Planet, no less.

▼ NT$280 for an adult pass. Look out online for early-bird / couple promo tickets, or themed ticket bundles that come with special or exclusive collaterals (such as posters or mousepads). 

▼ Where they all started... with sketches 

▼ There are six character series featured in this exhibition. 

▼ 1 | Shakurel Planet 戽斗星球 - really the series that first got me interested in gachapon. Story has it that these animals exist harmoniously on a mysterious peninsula, their odd evolution resulting in their signature chins that allowed them to chew on bones, wood and rocks, and thus escaping apocalypse. (The power of story-telling, really.)   

▼ 2 | Zoo Zoo Zoo 休眠动物园  - another really adorable animal series. In a village overwhelmed by relaxing, drowsy ambience, the resident animals are in various forms of slumber.   

▼ 3 | Statue of Liberty 自由过头女神 - though more accurately translated as 'too-liberal Status of Liberty'. Find her in different backdrops (such as the MRT!) in various poses.  

▼ 4 | Fruits Zombie 水果僵尸 - zombie fruits which happen to also be happy dance fanatics, in a dance party setting. 

▼ 5 & 6 | Fat Cute Soldiers 胖胖绿小兵 & Moai a la mode 摩艾圣代

Entering the main sections! (Not in order of appearance)

▼ The retail end of the exhibition - most if not all of these are opened to non-visitors, so you can shop here even if not visiting the paid exhibition.

Related read:
[Kaohsiung 高雄] Pier 2 Art Center 驳二艺术特区 (1/6) ✭PLUS✭ Kaohsiung LRT 高雄轻轨