臺北市政府文化局

Walking from Gongguan metro station through the bustling Gongguan shopping area to the foot of Treasure Hill, you’ll come across the South City Chronicles, Taipei Vignettes, a massive luminous iron sculpture wall completed in 2020. Comprising over 20 iron panels and stretching nearly 100 meters, the artwork immediately captures the attention.

Created by Cheng Jo-han, the piece was designed to resonate with the lived experiences of local residents. Four paper-cutting workshops were held during its creation, with over 135 participants, including residents, students, and shop owners. The artist used these workshops and interviews with locals to integrate daily life, local landscapes, and historical narratives into the wall using paper-cutting techniques.

The artwork is dominated by blue and green tones, symbolizing the trees and water of the local area. It depicts changes in the region from the 1950s to the present, featuring landmarks such as Treasure Hill, Wanshin Railway, Shuiyuan Market, National Taiwan University, Taipower Research Institute, the Taipei Water Park, and Kishu An. The wall is more than just a scenic sculpture—it serves as a treasure map of local history, preserving stories of the area's cultural and historical evolution.

In addition to grand historical and geographical narratives, the artwork incorporates personal memories and anecdotes, such as childhood experiences of playing by the river, accidental falls into the water, air raid sirens, military bases, and wartime shelters. Such details infuse the light wall with warmth and humanity. As viewers admire the wall, they can trace the local historical trajectory and also find connections to their own lives.

As its name suggests, the entire story of southern Taipei is condensed under the gaze of Little Guanyin Mountain, captured in this vibrant, collaborative work of art.