In a quiet corner of Taipei City, amidst the Xindian River, lies Treasure Hill Artist Village. What was once home to fleeing soldiers turned into a Japanese ammunition depot before becoming a Kuomintang squatter settlement. In 2010, it transformed yet again, this time into an artist residency.

Taiwanese artist Jia-Jhen Syu’s installation, part of the 'The Third Memorial' project, breathes life into its history through light and magnetism. Each household here holds stories from the early 20th century, reflecting a blend of past and present.

Yi-Chen Bai, born in Treasure Hill to a Kuomintang soldier, shares her family’s journey. Her father was among those who fled China during the Chinese Civil War, eventually settling in this temporary military camp turned cultural sanctuary. Today, descendants live alongside artists, creating a unique living history.

This evolution showcases how once-dormant spaces can be revitalised for artistic expression and community engagement. Treasure Hill stands as a testament to transformation, where war’s relics are repurposed into creative endeavours.