Taiwan Dance and Cross-disciplinary Art Shine at the Weimar Arts Festival. In 2024, the Ministry of Culture and the Deutsches National Theater in Weimar, Germany, collaborated to launch the "Taiwan Focus" dance series for the first time. This grand artistic event invited Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, HORSE, Tjimur Dance Theatre, Longbow Dance Theatre, and artist Chen Yi to showcase the vibrant vitality of Taiwan's culture and art through exquisite dance and technology.
Chen Yi - Algorithmic Harmony_01 (Provided by Po-Yen HSU). (Image / Source: Ministry of Culture)
The Weimar Arts Festival takes place from August 24 to September 6 in Germany, attracting top artists from around the world each year to create countless breathtaking artistic moments. This year, Taiwan's contemporary dance and art are featured in a dedicated program for the first time, highlighting Taiwan's remarkable achievements on the global stage of art.
The "Taiwan Focus" series of dance works embodies Taiwan's image as a tech-savvy island, reflecting Germany's interest in Taiwan's tech industry while showcasing the artists' deep concern for society and history. Cheng Tsung-lung's "Sounding Light" depicts nature's changes through the synergy of dancers' movements and light. Chen Yi's "Algorithmic Harmony" uses laser walls and traditional Taiwanese music to create a unique immersive experience. HORSE's "The Color of Forest" utilizes VR technology, placing the audience in Taiwan's mythical underworld, and exploring the beauty and resilience of female spirits.
Longbow Dance Theatre's Chang Jian-Hao collaborates with German dancer Jan Momon in "What is Danger?" to explore the relationship between dance movements and space, challenging the boundaries of artistic expression. Tjimur Dance Theatre presents two works showcasing the strength and beauty of Taiwan's Paiwan tribe, including "bulabulay mun?" which examines historical wounds through dance.
Longbow Dance Theatre - Chang Jian-Hao: What is Danger (Provided by Nick Sou). (Image / Source: Ministry of Culture)
Curated by Artistic Director Haimke, this festival showcases the perfect fusion of Taiwanese contemporary dance and technological art. This event is not only a significant display of Taiwanese art on the international stage but also marks a new chapter in cultural exchange between Taiwan and Germany.
The Weimar Arts Festival audience will have the chance to experience this feast of Taiwanese art from August 24 to September 6 at the Deutsches National Theater Weimar and Weimar Market Square. For detailed performance information, please visit the Weimar Arts Festival official website.
