Double Delight for the Bookworms: A Visit to VVG Chapter & A Gourmet Lunch at VVG Thinking Restaurant.
On Monday, the 20th of March, after days of relentless rain, we were finally blessed with some sunshine. Over 30 members of the WTIC Club gathered at the gate of an elegant cypress wood building. Chair of Art & Culture, Jessica Liu, gave a brief introduction about the tour and also introduced us to the senior Chair Susan Wang, as well as VVG PR Evonne Hsiao. Miss Hsiao soon took over and guided us to watch two short films about VVG Chapter’s renovation and the life style aesthetics of the company.
The film enlightened us on how VVG first began their attempt to enrich the lives of Taipei inhabitants 17 years ago through design by establishing small restaurants that serves homemade meals and desserts, creating handmade craft tools for sewing, books, parent-child corners, workshops, and markets. Their goal was to bring a broader world-view and hone the aesthetic appreciation of the Taiwanese public. They built the VVG lifestyle Village to be an inclusive space for everyone.
They strive to maintain a warm and welcoming space and their best quality is their innovative spirit in bringing more interesting things to share with every visitor. Their team is comprised of diverse people, ranging from daily operations managers, to chefs, designers, artists, photographers, and writers. Regardless of their roles and backgrounds, they bring their A-game to VVG and grew the company over time. They are responsible for creating a unique culture and deep-rooted beauty in Taipei’s corners.
They firmly believe that an idea can change the world, and they aim to lead a tasteful and meaningful life even within the boundaries of reality.
VVG Chapter: Literary Workshop offers visitors the autonomy to explore the books and more importantly, themselves. This is a reflection of VVG's commitment to finding beauty in ordinary life.
After the film, we started touring the building. We saw a banner at the entrance of the foyer depicting in powerful brush-pen the Chinese characters "Wen Fan" (i.e. Literary Workshop), written by the well-known calligrapher Dong Yan Tzi. The building was once a dormitory for Japanese officers’ in the 1930s. Miss Hsiao walked along with us to the exhibition room. A strong collection of artworks by Japanese and Taiwanese artists was on display. Then we walked into the main library. The high ceiling was rebuilt in 2007 due to The Old House Renovation Project launched by the Taipei City Council.
The impressive cypress roof allowed for a gentle breeze to circulate the room, eliminating the need for artificial cool air produced by air-conditioning. An octagonal window served as the eye of building, a rare Japanese architectural style. The foyer facing the backyard had a glass panel on the floor, which enabled us to gain a clear view of the construction underneath. The couch, the typewriter, the lamps, and the curtains — everything in the place induced a sense of nostalgia. One feels like one can trace history by entering into a past dimension.
There are nearly 4000 books on different subjects, ranging from music, architecture, fiction, and non-fiction at VVG Chapter. In order to offer a comfortable reading environment, they only accept registration via Internet booking. The free coffee and snacks is the icing on the cake to enrich your reading experience. As lunch time approached, we followed Miss Hsiao on a trek to Hwa-Shan Innovative and Art Compound to enjoy a gourmet meal at VVG Thinking. The ambiance of the restaurant is joyful, and the food is tasty. All in all, it was a wonderful tour fitting for a true celebration of springtime.
By Olivia Jen & Jui-Lien Cheng
|
