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New York Times Dubs Weiwuying as a Living Room for Culture An Invitation to the World for Cultural Enjoyment
This morning, internationally-renowned US media New York Times posted an article on Weiwuying with the friendly title “In Taiwan, an Invitation to a ‘Living Room’ for Culture,” describing the venue from the style of the architecture, how it creates a welcoming atmosphere to the neighborhood, the openness of the space, and the cultural implications of the site. The article also mentions how Weiwuying has created a new level of cultural reputation for the city of Kaohsiung while providing a public space for the people and how Weiwuying is: “a new destination for world-class performances in Kaohsiung, long derided by Taiwanese as being a ‘cultural desert.’”
The article narrates how Weiwuying, a former military base, went through the Japan Colonial Period, World War II, and has today transformed into a public arts center. People can be seen practicing yoga and Tai chi in the Banyan Plaza or on the grass surrounding the venue. The article also mentions that president Tsai Ing-wen pointed out how Weiwuying was an example of spatial democratization, as well as how the properties surrounding Weiwuying have increased since the site opened to the public. The residents are proud that this national venue is situated in Kaohsiung.
Weiwuying is located in Kaohsiung but casts its visions towards the world, bringing the best performance arts and talents to southern Taiwan and Kaohsiung. With “An Art Center for Everyone” as the center’s positioning, Weiwuying aims to tear down barriers in art and life and play the pioneering role of connecting Kaohsiung with the international stage and the future, creating a comprehensive environment for the performance art of Taiwan. Since the opening ceremony last October, Weiwuying has been under the spotlight of several renowned international media. After being reported by The Guardian, the New York Times has allowed Weiwuying and the cultural energy of Taiwan to shine once again on the international stage.
The New York Times also mentions that attendance exceeded 80 percent for the first season of performances at the art center last year, while tickets to the December opening of the opera house, the largest performance space of the venue, featuring Taiwan’s world-renowned dance troupe Cloud Gate, have sold out quickly. Weiwuying announced that ticket sales for the 54 performances of 20 Spring performance series reached 50% after the first three weeks, proof of the support for cultural events in southern Taiwan.
One of the first groups that will be performing after Chinese New Year is the renowned German dance troupe Ballett am Rhein. Lin Hwai-min and Martin Schläpfer, choreography masters of the East and West, will be participating in a conversation with Weiwuying artistic director Chien Wen-pin. In March, National Symphony Orchestra will once again be collaborating with US-based violinist Richard Lin, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and many other world-class teams at Weiwuying. The 5 thousand or so tickets for the three performances of famous opera piece Turandot, which will be showcased during the long holiday in April, sold out within two weeks. After several weeks of coordinating with teams both domestic and abroad, one additional performance of Turandot was arranged to be added on the evening of Thursday, April 4th. Tickets to the fourth Turandot performance will be available midday Thursday, January 31st at the Arts Ticket website.
New York Times article website:https://reurl.cc/ROL4z
