Catching the Urban Atmosphere of Taichung, Taiwan

Abstract This article proposes an ethno‐phenomenographic essay combining writing and photography to examine the contemporary atmosphere in Taichung, Taiwan. It explores the atmospheric effect of painted powerboxes. A selection of situations and atmospheric characteristics is described from different angles, and the history of the painting of these boxes is reflected upon, while themes and colorization of their peinture (painted image, my translation) are presented. Combined methods of photography and commented walk show an overall picture of this effect. The photographs illustrate how these boxes are present as people pass them by in their daily lives. Our comments sketch how these boxes and their environments weave themselves in and out of the perception of passers‐by to create a certain city atmosphere. We use photographs and writing in this way to support each other through dialogue. We contribute to the discussion of the phenomenology of the atmosphere through the use of visual anthropology.