On his second visit to Taiwan after being awarded with the Nobel Prize in literature last year, exiled Chinese writer Gao Xingjian (
Besides touring the country to meet with Taiwan's cultural elite, Gao -- a writer and painter -- plans to promote his art exhibition, which will be launched next week, as well as to finalize preparations for August Snow (八月雪) -- a drama that will be co-produced by Gao and several of Taiwan's leading theater groups.
August Snow is a story penned by Gao about Huineng (
The idea that spurred Gao and Taiwanese artists to work together on the drama was born several years ago, but the details of the joint endeavor were not settled until recently.
Taiwan's prominent Peking opera actor Wu Hsing-kuo (
One of the tasks of Gao's visit is to select the remaining thirty-plus actors needed for the play. The play will be presented in Taipei next year.
Gao said that he had done intensive research for the story, and by turning it into a play, he "seeks to find a new direction for Asian dramas."
But Gao stressed that August Snow is neither a pure Chinese play, nor a complete Peking opera. It aims to incorporate the spirits and basic Kongfu techniques of Chinese plays and Peking operas, yet he decided to move away from their stereotypical patterns.
"It will be a difficult undertaking -- to cooperate with Peking opera singers while jettisoning their conventional formats. But it will be an exploration, an interesting exploration," Gao said.
Responding to criticism that his works are strongly influenced by Zen philosophy, Gao said that the critics in question were over-generalizing. But he acknowledged that Zen has played a part in his paintings and dramas.
"In my mind, Zen is an Asian flavor, another kind of aesthetic, which is different from what you find in the west. It is a common human feeling, but not a religion," Gao explained.
Fleeing China in 1987, Gao presently resides in Paris. He announced yesterday that the French harbor city of Marseilles will make 2003 the year of Gao Xingjian. It will be an unprecedented occasion where a city will organize year-round activities in honor of an artist.
Gao said that all these events will be centered around his newly-created productions -- including an opera, an art exposition, and a film. Gao says he is currently working on a painting of a church scene.
When asked about religion's role in his work, Gao answered that he cannot deny that there is some sort of superpower in charge of the universe and people's unknown destiny.
He said that is the reason why he has an affinity for religion and Zen.
As a Nobel Prize laureate, Gao has had a hectic schedule -- traveling around the globe to reciprocate countless invitations.
He said traveling had occupied too much of his time and that he now longs to go back to work because he only feels at peace while painting and writing.
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