Taipei-s One-Night-Only Hotel and Sculptural Barbershop Merge Art and Life.

Taipei is quietly emerging as one of Asia’s most fascinating cultural hubs. Beyond the skyscrapers and night markets lies a thriving art scene where creative boundaries are constantly being pushed. Contemporary Taiwanese artist Chou Shih Hsiung, whose vision extends far beyond traditional gallery walls, is an example of this movement.

After graduating from Yale University with a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture, Chou returned to his hometown to create something truly distinctive—spaces where art and daily life merge in unexpected ways. We’re drawn to how he’s transformed ordinary environments into extraordinary artistic experiences through two standout projects: Hotel Yolo and Sculptor Barber. Let’s take a closer look.

In Budapest, Miklós Kiss Invites Visitors to Engage With Art in One of the Most Unexpected Places.

This ambitious project encapsulates Kissmiklos' vision of making art an accessible and integral part of daily life. With over 100 works, visitors are invited to engage with art in one of the most unexpected places—a public toilet.

Hotel Yolo: The One-Night-Only Art Hotel

Hidden in a quiet alley near Taipei’s Central Park, Hotel Yolo offers an art experience with a fascinating rule—you can only stay once in your lifetime. This isn’t your typical boutique hotel, but rather a living, breathing artwork housed in Chou’s former residence.

Inside, stark white walls showcase his deeply personal Oil Painting series created with black petroleum. Each piece bears intimate titles—”Mother,” “Good Boy; Bad Boy,” “Family Portrait,” and “Father”—revealing the deeply autobiographical nature of the space. The everyday elements of the home—bathrooms, kitchen, living areas—have been reimagined as installation pieces using what the artist calls “the blackest black” and infinite mirrors to explore profound themes of family, memory, and eternity.

Hotel Yolo launched as a performance piece inspired by a fleeting, unfulfilled love story. Visitors are encouraged to bring someone they cherish to this space “where time and death do not exist”—creating an intensely personal dialogue between their own experiences and the artist’s vision.

Mathias Kiss’ Latest Exhibition is a Critical Examination of Our Aesthetic Addictions.

The latest exhibition from French-Hungarian artist Mathias Kiss, transforms his Paris studio basement into a dystopian mise-en-scène examining beauty standards and digital narcissism.

Sculptor Barber: Haircuts as Performance Art

Just a short distance from the Shangri-La Hotel sits Sculptor Barber—a barbershop that transcends its utilitarian purpose to become a continuously evolving art installation. For eight consecutive years, this unique space has earned its place in the Louis Vuitton City Guide as a must-visit Taipei destination.

As it approaches its 10th anniversary, Chou has completely reimagined the space with an immersive installation called “Second Nature.” The interior now features sculptural elements that transform the barbershop into a surreal, desert-like environment. Each haircut becomes part of an artistic performance, with clients experiencing beauty services within an artistic landscape.

Art Beyond White Cubes

A graduate of both Central Saint Martins and Yale, Chou’s resume includes exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, and Singapore Art Museum. He’s collected prestigious awards, including the Kaohsiung Art Award, Red Dot Design Award, and Japan’s Good Design Award.

As far as we’re concerned, what sets Chou apart is his determination to break down the barriers between art and everyday life—much like we view design here at Yellowtrace.

[Images courtesy of Chou Shih Hsiung. Photography by Oner Photo & YHLAA Studio.]