Taipei is a city filled with public art, and the city's MRT metro system alone has over 50 artworks installed on its premises. According to the Association for Public Art, public art is a reflection of how we see the world and the artist’s response to our place in time combined with our own sense of who we are. Here are our picks of the best public art pieces in Taipei's metro system:  See also: 5 Hong Kong Art Exhibitions To See In November

1. Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station (Xinyi Line/Red Line)

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Above Hsin-Chien Huang, The Moment We Meet (2013), split flap display controlled by PLC, digitally printed PVC sheets, computers, stainless steel, glass, 400 x 300 x 30 cm (Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Designed by Taiwanese multimedia artist Hsin-Chien Huang, "The Moment We Meet" is an installation piece which includes two separate split-flap displays showing happy faces of the elderly and young children. The blocks can be joined together and rearranged to form an infinite number of combinations, or stand as an individual face.

This artwork suggests that when we meet people during our commute, our emotions spread out to affect and impact others.

2. Songshan Station (Songshan Line/Green Line)

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Above Yang-Huei Chiang and VERY Conception Corporation, Winding River, Flourishing Flowers, Dome of Light (2014), stainless steel, crystal, LED, 1240 x 2180 x 130cm (Photo: Courtesy of Taipei Yearbook)

Artist Yang-Huei Chiang, in cooperation with VERY Conception Corporation, designed "Winding River, Flourishing Flowers, Dome of Light". It is composed of thousands of pipes of varying lengths, creating a wave-like effect. When the LED lights are turned on, it transforms into a version of Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights.

See also: Lumieres Hong Kong: 5 Light Installations You Need To See

3. Taipei Main Station

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Above Daydream (2010) by Joyce Ho at Taipei Main Station (Photo: Courtesy of Alex Wang)

As you figure out the maze-like passageways of the main station, you'll most likely come across this androgynous sculpture with a young girl's body and a chicken head. It's holding a pencil in its right hand and has water dripping from its neck. This surreal sculpture invites commuters to stop and take a look, and perhaps laugh at its absurdity.

But one thing that remains true is that it somehow conveys some sense of alienation, especially in a place as busy as Taipei Main Station.

4. Xingtian Temple Station (Xinzhuang Line/Orange Line)

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Above Humble Stone International Art Company and Wen-Yi Kung, Prosperity to the Country and Peace to Her People (2009), ceramic, 3720 x 15 x 250 cm (Photo: Courtesy of The Artling)

Humble Stone International Art Company and Taiwanese ceramic artist Wen-Yi Kung designed "Prosperity to the Country and Peace to Her People", a ceramic piece that extends along the whole wall of the concourse.

The artwork shows architectural images of temples, temple rituals and activities, and the Eight Household Generals. The MRT station is close to Xingtian Temple, a popular temple devoted to Guan Yu, the patron god for businessmen.

5. Daan Park Station (Xinyi Line/Red Line)

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Above Kiyofumi Shiba, The Four Seasons, Cypress wood, stone paint, 285 x 3360 x 30 cm (Photo: Wil-Lian Guzmanos)

Japanese artist Kiyofumi Shiba's "The Four Seasons" is composed of wall pieces that represent the different seasons. When viewed from left to right, commuters will get a glimpse of each season by looking at the wall pieces made from cypress wood painted with vibrant colours and cut into shapes reminiscent of cherry blossoms, camphor trees, icicles, fallen leaves, and sunflowers.

This story originally appeared on The Artling

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