Auckland Festival of Photography presents exclusively a suite of works from Taiwan by Shen Chao-Liang, Taipei based Award winning artist as part of the Movement [Kori] theme.
Variety troupes are a unique type of mobile performance group in Taiwan, active in various wedding and funeral ceremonies and other celebrations since the 1970s. In the early days, their stages included not only the traditional tent stages still in use today but also modified trucks equipped with basic lighting and sound systems, known as simple electronic parade floats. With the progress of time and the increasing demands from both operators and audiences for high-quality lighting and sound equipment, these have gradually evolved into the modern hydraulic folding stages we see today. The performances have primarily focused on singing and dancing since the early days, with the costumes of the performing singers resembling the glamorous outfits of indoor shows. In recent years, singers’ costumes have more commonly adopted a two-piece style, often worn with bikinis underneath.
To meet customer demands and attract attention, variety troupes constantly innovate their performances. In addition to song and dance shows by TV stars and traveling singers, they can also offer pole dancing, juggling, magic shows, folk art performances, male strip shows, and drag performances, depending on the budget and specifications.
The STAGE series showcased in this exhibition mainly includes works captured between 2005 and 2023 using large-format cameras. These works feature mobile stage vehicles, transformed from large trucks, unfolding in realistic settings across Taiwan. Although there is no precise count of the total number of these mobile hydraulic stage vehicles, it is estimated that more than 600 are actively in operation throughout Taiwan. It is hoped that the unique industrial type and rich grassroots information, the imaginative and diverse applications, will inspire viewers to connect and imagine the unique entertainment culture of Taiwan, encompassing time, space, horizontal and vertical dimensions, and both planar and three-dimensional structures. - Artist statement
Presentation proudly supported by Auckland Council Events & Auckland Live.
