During the summer vacation in August, the Taichung City Tun District Art Center is launching the “Let's Play with Puppets” series of events. Curated by the resident team—the Taichung Puppet Theater, a group repeatedly recognized as an Outstanding Performing Arts Team in Taichung City—the program features three thoughtfully planned events: the Mini Glove Puppet Exhibition, the Puppet Head Painting Workshop, and an outdoor performance of the technological glove puppet play Legend of the Sacred Sword II. The public is invited to explore the exhibition, participate in hands-on workshops, and enjoy a theatrical performance, immersing in the captivating art of puppetry.
According to the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Tun District Art Center has positioned itself as an “Art Incubation Lab,” focusing on the development of cross-disciplinary works that integrate technology and the arts. The center actively promotes diverse forms of artistic expression, encouraging the public to engage with technological art through interactive and relaxing experiences. The resident team, Taichung Puppet Theater, builds upon the rich heritage of traditional glove puppetry passed down from Wang Jin-Chi, a recipient of the Performing Arts Golden Award. Embracing an open-minded approach to theatrical innovation, the group has developed a multifaceted style of glove puppetry. On the evening of August 16 at 7:30 p.m., they will present Legend of the Sacred Sword II, a technological glove puppet performance at the center’s amphitheater. This production blends elements of wuxia storytelling, multimedia animation projections, and lighting technology, weaving together real and virtual imagery to showcase the modern allure of glove puppetry.
The Taichung Puppet Theater notes that glove puppetry is one of Taiwan's most representative traditional performing arts. The craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility of puppet carving and painting are brought to life through the puppeteers’ exceptional skills, which imbue the puppets with stage presence and vitality. By incorporating multimedia elements, traditional art can be presented in a more dynamic manner. As part of this year’s residency program, a series of special events has been planned to introduce the public to the diverse facets of glove puppetry. The Mini Glove Puppet Exhibition is on view at the Tun District Art Center from now until August 17. The exhibition includes explanations of puppet head production and showcases a wide array of puppets for traditional puppetry, folk puppetry, golden light puppetry, television-style puppetry, and cute puppets for children. These works reflect the exquisite artistry of group leader Wang Ying-Chieh, who personally sculpts and paints each puppet with meticulous care. Additionally, the Puppet Head Painting Workshop will be held on August 9, guiding children through the process of painting and puppeteering. Participants will create their own puppet heads and learn basic puppetry techniques. Further details can be found on the center’s official website or Facebook page.
According to the Tun District Art Center, the highlight of the Taichung Puppet Theater’s “Pu Let's Play with Puppets” series is an outdoor performance of the technological glove puppet production Legend of the Sacred Sword II. As a continuation of the first installment, the story unfolds with the Lord of the Forbidden Slaughter City agreeing to take charge of the escalating situation, only to be confronted by the Lord of Demons, leading to an epic battle. Meanwhile, the Ghost Ship mercilessly hunts down righteous heroes, plunging the martial world into chaos and peril. Through the use of animation projection and advanced lighting technology, the performance delivers a vivid and captivating glove puppetry.
This August, the “Let's Play with Puppets” series, presented by the resident team of the Tun District Art Center, Taichung Puppet Theater, will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the puppet head creation process and the stories that unfold backstage. The event invites participants of all ages to experience the charm of glove puppetry, where tradition meets technology. Another resident team, Uni Percussion, will host a lecture titled “Global Percussion: A Grand Ensemble” on September 6. The event will feature renowned Taiwanese percussionist Chang Yu-Hsin, who will share insights into international percussion music along with fascinating stories from her artistic journeys around the world. For more information on these events, please visit the Tun District Art Center’s official website (www.ttdac.taichung.gov.tw) or the center’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ttdac).
一探究竟偶頭的雕刻過程