2003 » Taiwan » National Exhibition

Taiwan

The Landscape is conceived as a visual and interactive exhibition in tho form of ascalod-down version of Taiwanese gardon, designed to highlight the uniqueness of Taiwanese culture and thoatro arts. Tho exhibition provides a vision not merely ocular-centric but participating-oriented regarding the relationship of spoctator-onvironmont-action. The exhibition lakes the shape o\ a traditional garden, combining the concept of the "environment" and "culture". Tho environment refers to the overall combination of natural elements such as Taiwan's soil, plant growth, and human factors. Tho culturo rofors to various theatrical phenomena in Taiwan. The works and installations will be placod in such away as to organizo thorn into a route through the garden as different components of the landscape. Tho exhibition space is thus transformed into a cultural space, a touring space, an artistic space, and a space for deliberating contemplation. The Landscape defines the term of "identity" as "individual cultural subject" existing in the era of globalization, engaging in dia-logue with the world. As the spectators from all over the world ramble around the garden, thoy bocomo tho protagonist interacting with the Taiwanese culture and environment. Moreover, interactive devices will be provided for evoking human sonsos. Thoroforo, the sensitivity of the spectator will be one of the leading characters in the exhibition which ovolvos from inort objocts to dramatic events as "units of action". The visitors will be receiving a message, delivering a message, and becoming tho message itself, and in a sense complete the whole exhibition. The Landscape is the first attempt to invite our scenographors to the thematically curated exhibition. The content of the exhibition is divided into three major thematic categories: The Genealogy of the Indigenous concentrates on a brief retrospection of scenography in traditional operas and puppet theatre. This category of Taiwanese theatres takes more direct route to its tradition and presents a sort of "organic style grown from the soil". The Quest of Identity offers a sampling of Taiwanese theatre arts which employ the traditional idioms and the life of people to form personal artistic languages. From historical legend, folk stories and folk arts, local religion to traditional philosophy, the artists distill those traditional materials for their creation and utilize the conceptual techniques of modern theatre to interpret their respective Taiwanese culture. The Transfusion of Otherness introduces current Taiwanese theatres which absorb influences from outside cultures. The mixture and interaction of the foreign elements with Taiwan's culture have presented a distinct Taiwanese character. Like transplanted "cuttings" planted in Taiwan's soil, some new gene combinations have fostered superior strains, rendering of somehow hybrid, fluid identity categories. Theatre art in Taiwan, presently enjoys a rich diversity and distinguished characteristics of Taiwanese culture. The country's island setting gives the culture an openness and willingness to accept new ideas and meanwhile maintains its own tradition.

Exhibiting artists / ateliers

• Wei-Wen Chang

* 1961, Taipei
Specialization: OISTAT, former executive director
Additional information: She is a stage designer for drama, musical, modern dance, ballet, Chinese opera, Taiwanese opera and other theatre productions. She also works as a production and program manager, and teaches stage design and drama at various institutions such as the National Taipei University of Arts, tho National Central University. She graduated from the Indiana University, USA, Dept. of Theatre and Drama. She also participated in many exhibitions including The Spell of Europe for Asia; Orientalism for Europe in Tokyo.
• Shih-Hsing Wang (Shih Hsing Wang)

Additional information: Graduated from SUNY at Purchase N.Y. He works as an associate professor of Taipei National University of Arts and is a member of the Chinese Association of Technical Theatre. He combines Chinese traditional crafts, including lantern, puppet, and dragon dance otc. to create now theatre experience for children.
• 璟如 林 (Ching-Ju Lin)

* 1952, Taipei
Specialization: costume designer
Collaboration with theatres: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre
Continuing collaboration with directors: Hwai-Min Lin
Additional information: One of the most active costume designers in Taiwan. She runs a professional workshop with focus on theater produc-ion and teaching at several universities. Formerly she collaboratod with Cloud Gato Dance Theatre.
• 克華 林 (Keh-Hua  Lin)

* 11.10.1952, Taipei
Specialization: architect, set designer, lighting designer
Additional information: Art director, set designer, one of the most celebrated light-ing and set designers in the Chinese speaking world. His designs employ Western aesthetics and modern technology blended with Oriental philosophy to create a performing space that supports the performers, enriches the content, and is eye-catching to the viewers. He is a professor of lighting design at the National Institute of Arts in Taipei and the foremost theatre consultant in Taiwan.
• 孟超 王 (Austin Wang)

* 28.10.1957, Taiwan
Specialization: set designer, OISTAT
Additional information: Stage and light designer. He holds an MFA in Scenery and Lighting Design from the University of Southern California. During his stay in the United States, ho worked as an assistant scenic artist at Los Angeles Theatro Center and an assistant scenic designer at the Stage Department of Julliard Arts School, Now York. When ho returned to Taiwan, he worked as the technical manager and stage manager at the National Theatro in Taipei, and also as the technical director at the China Times Performing Center. He also works as the Technlca / Design Director for the Creativo Society and teaches at the Theatro Department of tho Chinese Cultural University,
• 毓芬 蔡 (Yu-Fen Tsai)

* 1965, Taiwan
Specialization: costume designer
Collaboration with theatres: Guo Guang Opera Company
Continuing collaboration with directors: Siao-Pin Li

• Hsiu Chin Tsai

* 1954, Taiwan
Specialization: set designer, costume designer
Additional information: Set, costume and lighting designer. She graduated from Academy of Arts Taipei, Meisterschule in der Höhere technische Lehranstalt and University for music and performing arts in Graz (Austria). Currently she collaborates with the National Theater Taipei and Shih Chien University - Design Department.

Exhibiting works

• Shi Chang Huei: (Cheng-Kung Cheng), (National Theatre Taipei), 1999, Director: Hong-Hong,
  
  
  
• Wern-Ying Hwarng

* 1964, Taiwan
Specialization: director, producer, set designer, costume designer
Additional information: She studied theatrical production and costume and scene design in the United States. Produced and designed feature films and advertising, and made her directorial debut in 1998 in both advertising and musical video. She is also an art director awarded with international prizes for her works in Hou Hsiao-Hsien's films Good Men, Good Women; Flower of Shanghai (Golden Horse in Taipei Film Festival) and Millennium Mambo. Now she is the Managing Director of the Taiwan Film & Culture Society and tho Managing Director of the Sinomovie Company.
• Kuang-Yen (Alan) Nieh

* 1933, Shanghai
Specialization: set designer, lighting designer
Additional information: He is the winner of the National Literature and Art Awards 1999. He is a freelance stage and lighting designer. Recently he has worked with the 2000 Nobel Prize for Literature holder Gao Xing-Jian on the world premiere of August Snow. He received professional theatre training at the University of Hawaii USA.