A versatile artist active as a model, actress, and writer, Joanne Deng was born and raised in the Wenshan District of Taipei and is deeply fond of the diverse charm of New Taipei City. With her unique perspective on urban life, she recommends to us her hidden gems and unconventional spaces in Taipei and New Taipei City.

One place she specifically mentions is the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute in Xinzhuang District. Deng praises the quality of the film restorations and the facilities of the screening rooms here. She firmly believes that this is not only a great place to watch movies but also a valuable spot where she draws inspiration from images.

As a writer, Deng not only showcases her talent in literary creation but also has unique insights into creative spaces. Since 2015, every time she publishes a new work, she chooses atypical spaces in Taipei to host her readers theater events “Fiction Gatherings,” bringing readers into the actual settings to experience the atmosphere of the stories.

In recent years, Deng started exploring cross-disciplinary collaborations, especially in projects with designer Tseng Yi-Wen. Through the combination of theater and speculative design, they attempt to uncover more possibilities in performing arts. “How can ‘uselessness’ move the audience? This is the core question we want to explore in this collaboration,” she says. Deng believes that the integration of performing arts and design challenges the fusion of two creative methods, while also opening up new horizons and sources of inspiration for her.

Deng’s works are not only her response to urban life but also an exploration of her inner world. Every character and every space become a part of her creation, where she presents the charm and energy of urban life to readers in a nuanced manner, awaiting the next audience to resonate with them.