Creative collaborations, especially in the field of dance, have already begun to take root in Taiwan. Most recently, the Crossover Dance Company brought over British choreographer Charlotte Vincent to work with local performers in creating an original work titled After the Party. Now, the Grace Hsiao Dance Theater (
This is Dalman's fourth visit to Taiwan. Her early work such as Sun and Moon, which was created in 1967, drew heavily on Australian Aboriginal mythology and she believes that this kind of work has a special relevance to Taiwan. "This was created in the face of Australia's `cultural cringe,' at a time when Australia was trying hard to find its cultural identity," she said, adding that while she sought inspiration from Aboriginal work, she did not seek in any manner to imitate it.
At a time when Taiwan is also looking to draw on its complex history for artistic inspiration, Dalman's words sound a very resonant note. "Really, Australia and Taiwan have a lot in common. We are both small countries," she said, referring to population and outlook.
PHOTO: IAN BARTHOLOMEW, TAIPEI TIMES
Sun and Moon, a fluid duet in which the female dancer represents the sun, gives the dancers a chance to explore themes that exist in all cultures, but giving them slightly different expression.
Speaking about the uses of cross-cultural dance, Dalman said that the exercise of working with dancers from a different culture required a great deal of mutual understanding. "This in itself is valuable," she said. Based on the common language of dance, working with people from other cultures also generates new tools for creativity.
Cross Tracks II will be performed at Circle 15 Theater located at 3F, 40-1 Chungshan S. Rd., Taipei (
Japan is celebrated for its exceptional levels of customer service. But the behavior of a growing number of customers and clients leaves a lot to be desired. The rise of the abusive consumer has prompted authorities in Tokyo to introduce the country’s first ordinance — a locally approved regulation — to protect service industry staff from kasuhara — the Japanese abbreviated form of “customer harassment.” While the Tokyo ordinance, which will go into effect in April, does not carry penalties, experts hope the move will highlight a growing social problem and, perhaps, encourage people to think twice before taking out their frustrations
Two years ago my wife and I went to Orchid Island off Taitung for a few days vacation. We were shocked to realize that for what it cost us, we could have done a bike vacation in Borneo for a week or two, or taken another trip to the Philippines. Indeed, most of the places we could have gone for that vacation in neighboring countries offer a much better experience than Taiwan at a much lower price. Hence, the recent news showing that tourist visits to Pingtung County’s Kenting, long in decline, reached a 27 year low this summer came
From a Brooklyn studio that looks like a cross between a ransacked Toys R Us and a serial killer’s lair, the artist David Henry Nobody Jr is planning the first survey of his career. Held by a headless dummy strung by its heels from the ceiling are a set of photographs from the turn of the century of a then 30-year-old Nobody with the former president of the US. The snapshots are all signed by Donald Trump in gold pen (Nobody supplied the pen). They will be a central piece of the New York artist’s upcoming survey in New York. This
Oct. 7 to Oct. 13 The Great Dragon Flags were so lavish and intricate that it’s said to have exhausted the supplies of three embroidery shops. Others say that the material cost was so high that three shops quit during production and it was finished by a fourth. Using threads with pure gold, the final price to create the twin banners was enough to buy three houses in the 1920s. Weighing 30kg each and measuring 454cm by 535cm by 673cm, the triangular flags were the pride of the Flying Dragons (飛龍團), a dragon dance troupe that performed for Chaotian
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