Impressionism 150th Anniversary Light and Shadow Art Exhibition - Taichung

Exhibition Information

• Exhibition Date: 2025/07/12 (Sat) - 2025/09/06 (Sat)
• Exhibition hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00-21:30 / Friday to Saturday 11:00-22:00 (Ticket sales and admission stop at 20:30)
• Exhibition location: 13th floor, Building B, Zhongyou Department Store, Taichung (No. 161, Section 3, Sanmin Road, North District, Taichung City 404)

Exhibition Introduction

Origins of Impressionism

French Impressionnisme, an art movement from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, originated in France, spread to Europe and the United States, and influenced the world. The paintings are characterized by unadorned and visible brushstrokes, broad and boundless compositions, and a particular emphasis on the changes in light and shadow, the impression of time, and the depiction of ordinary things in life. Impressionism is considered one of the cornerstones of modern art. It changed the traditional concept of art and had a profound impact on later art styles and movements such as Fauvism, Cubism and Abstract Expressionism. It has also become one of the world’s most beloved schools of painting.

Taichung and Impressionism

Taichung has a deep connection with Impressionism, and its influence can be seen in historical artists, local art groups, and exhibitions in recent years. Taichung Fengyuan artist Liao Chi-chun (1902-1976) was influenced by Impressionism and combined bright colors with Taiwanese landscapes to create a unique style. In addition, the Fengyuan Art Group (Fengyuan Class) inherited the spirit of Impressionism and Plein Air during the Japanese colonial period, and displayed the local landscape through sketching. In recent years, Taichung has held many Impressionist-related exhibitions, such as the 2023 Tun District Art and Cultural Center’s “The Face of Impression-He Zhiyong’s Oil Painting Solo Exhibition”, which showcases Impressionist-style outdoor sketches and still life paintings. This July, Florence Creative will hold the “150th Anniversary Light and Shadow Art Exhibition of Impressionism” at Taichung Zhongyou Department Store, using light and shadow technology to present classic works of masters such as Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh, bringing an immersive art experience. Impressionist light, shadow and colors continue to shine in Taichung. This summer, we invite you to visit the “150th Anniversary of Impressionism Light and Shadow Art Exhibition” and enjoy an art feast that transcends time and space!

First Painting

Impressionism is named after the painting “Impression, Sunrise” by French painter Claude Monet. Created in 1872, Monet used blurred, scattered brushstrokes to depict the light of the rising sun and its reflection on the water. When the painting was exhibited at the 1874 Independent Art Exhibition in Paris, art critics believed that the painting was merely an impression rather than a traditional detailed depiction, and used the word “impression” to mock this new style of painting. Although a derogatory term, artists were proud of it, and Impressionism became the hallmark of this art movement, which emphasized capturing momentary light, color changes, and impressionistic atmosphere. Painters usually painted outdoors, especially natural landscapes and scenes of daily life.

Exhibition Features and Exhibition Area Introduction

Produced by an international gold medal team, guaranteed to be watched by 5 million people in Europe and America

A large collection of Impressionist paintings: See all the classics of the century at once

Fusion of Taipei’s excitement × Kaohsiung’s shock

Taichung gathers the beauty of light and shadow, a new artistic vision that transcends time and space

Gather the essence of three cities to create the most ultimate immersive experience

Zone 1 ｜Golden Impression Introduction

Through videos, original-size simulated paintings and other diverse methods, the exhibition will lead the audience to review the 150-year history and important events of Impressionism, learn about the most representative paintings and painters, and appreciate the contribution and influence of Impressionism on the history of human art. There is a TV at the entrance of this area showing a brief history of Impressionism and a film of Van Gogh's life, allowing the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the birth of Impressionism and Van Gogh's artistic journey through images. In addition, the exhibition area has a special "Van Gogh Self-Portrait Wall" to allow visitors to experience Van Gogh's unique brushstrokes and color expression up close.

Zone 2 ｜ Life & Leisure

Painters such as Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Caillebotte captured all aspects of life, including the Industrial Revolution, urban transformation, and leisure activities. Parks, cafes, dance halls, and streets all became scenes that inspired them. Their vivid themes and bold styles extended with the times, leaving behind a myriad of historical testimonies.

Zone 3 ｜ Art Capital

In this art space, you will step into an art gallery dedicated to Monet and Van Gogh and immerse yourself in the creative world of these two masters. Through animated paintings and life-size simulations, you can feel the changing light and color in Monet's paintings, and the emotional tension in Van Gogh's frenetic brushstrokes. It feels like you are in the Orangerie Museum in Paris and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, allowing you to closely appreciate how these two masters subverted traditions and inspired future generations with their unique perspectives, creating classic chapters of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.

Zone 4 ｜ Light & Shadow

Light and shadow are the most moving souls. Painters use delicate brushstrokes to capture the fleeting light sensations at different times, changing seasons and alternating weather conditions, turning the moment into eternity and composing a tribute to nature. This area takes the form of a time-space tunnel, allowing visitors to step into an art gallery where light and shadow interweave. The ever-changing light and shadow are projected on the curtains. As you walk, the picture flows like water, as if you are traveling through the poetic time and space of dawn and dusk. Passing through this curtain of light and shadow, you will arrive at the final immersive exhibition area, where you can feel the flowing world described by Impressionist painters in the embrace of light and shadow.

Zone 5 ｜ Four Seasons

The works of Impressionist painters are closely linked to seasons and scenery, and they capture the changing moments of nature with their unique brushstrokes. For example, Monet’s “Water Lilies” series shows the color changes of the pond with the change of seasons, from the emerald green of spring to the golden yellow of autumn, full of poetry and fluidity; the “Wheat Field” series depicts the field scenery of the French countryside, from the fresh green of spring to the golden yellow of midsummer, showing the unique atmosphere of the farmland in different seasons. In the immersive projection area, the audience will seem to step into the world of Impressionist painters, immersed in a painting scene of interweaving light and shadow, feel the touching moments of the breeze blowing through the wheat waves and the morning light shining on the water lilies, and personally experience the beauty of seasons and nature flowing in the Impressionist paintings.