(Update 2020: Good news everyone! The factory will be used as studio space for TV and movie shoots. I’m not sure if the large machine will be retained but I hope so!) When I was young my dad took me to the factory he works in a few times. It was, and still is, a huge place full of noise and movement. I remember the robotic arms made me a little nervous. The complexity of the machines gave a lasting impression, and I've since liked to be around industry and machinery.

I had an exhibition open in Chiayi recently. At the opening the local politicians attended. I made a ham-fisted attempt to talk the deputy mayor into preserving the lanes around the railway station as they are very interesting and historic. I'm not quite sure he understood where I meant however he could see I was interested in Chiayi's past. He began talking about the abandoned tobacco plant on the outskirts of the city. I guess my enthusiasm was apparent and he invited me to take a look around the next day.