National anthems are important pieces for many societies and the Thirty Contemporary Dance Theater (三十舞蹈劇場) has sought to explore the concepts behind Taiwan's national anthem through dance in Dancing the National Anthems(國歌四賦).
The idea for the performance came to Wu Pi-Jung (吳碧容), a former member of the Cloud Gate Dance Company (雲門舞集) and C0-founder of the Thirty Contemporary Dance Theater, after the uproar created by China after pop singer Chang Hui-mei (張惠妹) sang Taiwan's national anthem at President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) inauguration last year.
Wu invited five choreographers to join the project. They have created four dances that express each choreographer's personal experience rather than seeking to make any political statements.
Huang Hsu-hui's (黃旭徽) Songs (歌賦) is the only piece that incorporates the anthem in its original form, while Yen Feng-his's (顏鳳曦)Contrary (反賦) seems more remote, as it focuses on interpersonal conflicts.
Hsieh Wen-ju (謝文茹) and Yu Huan-fu (余奐甫), choreographers of Affluence (豐賦), equate the national anthem with consumerism. "Ever since our childhood, we have been encourage to buy more and more. It's so ubiquitous we take it for granted, just like our national anthem," Yu said.
In Tan Hui-chen's (譚惠貞) Tiptoeign (踮賦), a parallel is drawn between a wedding ceremony and the national anthem because of their ritual-like quality.
Dancing the National Anthems will be staged at the Crown Arts and Culture Center (台北皇冠藝文中心), B1, 50, Ln. 120, Tunhua N. Rd., Taipei (台北市敦化北路120巷50號B1). Performances begin 7:30pm today and tomorrow, with 2:30pm matinees tomorrow and Sunday. Tickets cost N$300. Cal Tel (02) 23454410 for more information.
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