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Nuit Blanche Taipei 2023, “Uprising” in Xinyi

Taipei’s Nuit Blanche is a yearly public art festival taking place in the streets and public places of one of its districts. After it was hosted by Shinyi district in 2022, our home district Xinyi took over in 2023. Under the theme of 白晝之夜起義 (“Day and Night Uprising”) it promised open air cinema, street art, stage acts, drinks… and as it turned out lots of rain. The Heavens Are Falling Upon Us-levels of rain.

Last year, Nuit Blanche centered around Chiang-Kai Shek’s Residence yet was dominated by Shilin’s famous night market. Going out with friends, I remember crowds of people, art pieces dwarfed by commercial installations and good food. This year I was on my own and almost didn’t leave the house after a lazy Saturday and hours of rain.

I am glad I went. I went mostly for the photos and given the rain didn’t make it to the interesting areas. (My shoes were soaked halfway there).

At first I struggled to handle both my camera and the umbrella. Focus was difficult, night asks for a low aperture which makes zone focusing a fool’s game. Since I focus manually, I needed my second hand, yet since my camera is not water proof the umbrella was even more important. After some trying, I got used to fixing the umbrella with my chin somehow.

Next came the interesting part: Getting used to the scenery. The umbrellas were the dominating theme everywhere, often shielding the light from people and their faces. Working the area a bit I managed to take a few images I’m happy with.

Taipei 101, out of focus at night. It rains heavily and people are carrying umbrellas and capes. The atmosphere is ghostly, dominated by faceless schemes.
Schemes
Young people sheltering from the rain, meeting friends and strangers.
Rain makes us get closer
A young woman standing at the side of the passing-by-crowd, calmly reading her smartphone. A heavy steel stairway, tarpaulins, and the glistening city lights in the background create a somewhat cyberpunk aesthetic.
Taking a Moment
A young man looking out in the rain. His back muscles flexed under his shirt, he seems to gather his strength for the night and city.
Taking a Moment
People waiting at a crossroads, sheltering under their umbrellas while scooters and cars fly by through the rain.
The rain can't stop us.
A crowd of people under the pouring rain and glowing streetlamps, umbrellas everywhere.
The rain can't stop us.
Two woman standing close to each other under a shared umbrella, one of her lying her hands around the other's waist.
The rain can't stop us.
A young man under a transparent umbrella, somewhat irritated that he is photographed.
The rain can't stop us.
A roadman sitting in his small load lifter, waiting for his colleagues, soaked through by the rain.
The rain doesn't care about your work
A young woman waiting at the crossroads, her transparent umbrella catches the lights of the traffic behind her, leaving only her silhouette to see.
Lady in Black
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