The Shihsanhang Museum (
To make greater use of this idyllic environment, the museum has organized an outdoor dance/installation event titled "The Sun -- The Beginning of Life" (
Shooting the Sun (
In Atayal tales, there used to be two suns in the sky. A brave tribesman chased the sun all his life, but to no avail. Finally, his son, who had followed in his father's footsteps, shot the sun, creating the somewhat dimmer moon.
The column, set up using the same technique that Aborigines used to build stone houses, is a tribute to the tribal heroes who sacrificed their lives to make life better for the fellow tribesmen.
Another work, the Fire Dance Theater (
PHOTO: VICO LEE, TAIPEI TIMES
While Zhang's works might be seen as no more than interesting decorations for a garden, they acquire greater meaning through creative interaction with the performers. Tai-Gu-Ta Dance Theater (太古踏舞團), which performs on Aug. 23, does this brilliantly, bringing Chang's statues to life in their choreographic representation of Aboriginal legends. It is a pity the other groups don't make such good use of the installations, tending to confine themselves to the stage.
Fortunately for audiences, performances starts around sunset, when the temperature becomes more bearable than during the day. For those thinking of visiting the museum, which is some distance from Taipei, this current show should provide a good reason.
Shihsanhang Museum is located at 200, Museum Rd, Pali, Taipei County (
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