Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist 

This innovative production revolves around sound and music as its core narrative medium, effectively merging sound art, folk beliefs, and theatrical language to interpret the connections between the tangible and the intangible, the traditional and the modern, as well as the senses and the intellect. Featuring a powerful Western percussion performance, it integrates an extensive study of Taiwan’s temple music, resulting in an original composition/musical text. For musicians, sound embodies their beliefs, and the musical temple translates auditory experiences into a cross-cultural, perceivable artistic expression. It breaks down the barriers between language and culture, inviting audiences from varied backgrounds to intuitively engage with its spiritual dimension through sound narratives and a visceral connection to the body. This piece unveils new potential in music theater while showcasing the distinct aesthetic expression of Taiwanese artists. (Commentator: CHANG Yin-Fang)

Artwork Introduction

The Temple of Resonance is developed around traditional temple settings and deities known in Taiwanese culture, guiding the audience through a series of sound-crafted scenes. Drawing on diverse sounds associated with faith in everyday life, the work uses heaven, earth, and humanity as guiding principles, creating a sonic temple that explores the connection between the physical temple space and the ethereal realm of spiritual belief. This solo percussion piece features the performer alternating between acts of worship and representation throughout the performance, with both the individual and the instruments narrating a story about “faith.”

About the Artist

Uni Percussion was founded by its Artistic Director, Yoshi Yung-Chih HSUEH, who has a background in percussion, sound art, and experimental sound. By collaborating with theater and various creative fields, the art group aims to create diverse forms of sound art while actively fostering public engagement. In recent years, they have partnered with installation artists, theater professionals, and experimental sound creators, exploring more connections between sound and society through theatrical productions, exhibition curation, site-specific projects, and public workshops.

Sound Coordination / Concept – Yoshi Yung-Chih HSUEH 

A contemporary percussionist, Yoshi Yung-Chih HSUEH utilizes percussion and sound as foundational elements, delving into various experimental techniques and collaborations across diverse art fields. Through collaboration, they are able to understand and re-perceive each other, leading to a shared language. Hsueh has created sound installations, including The Secret Base of the Ear Monster in the Sound Forest (Yuanlin, 2021; Taijiang, 2022) and Between Two Breaths (C-Lab, 2019); site-specific works such as Temple Fair with Myself (Tainan OFF Festival, 2019), Temple Fair with Myself 2.0 (Tainan Arts Festival, 2022), Changhua Score (Changhua Walker Art Festival, 2023); and theatrical productions, Plato’s Cave (NTCH Ideas Lab: Hsueh Yung-Chih, 2019), and The Temple of Resonance (2024 Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival).

Co-Creation Director – TSUO Han-Chieh

TSUO Han-Chieh, a lifelong dancer and theater creator, is now a mother exploring new theater possibilities with her daughter and son. Currently, she serves as the Artistic Director of Double & Cross Theater Group. From 2003 to 2015, she was a principal dancer and choreographer with the Scarecrow Contemporary Dance Company. In 2016, she redirected her focus towards developing and creating “Baby Theatre.” Her notable works include Ci Vuole Un Fiore, H2O, and World in a Word. In recent years, she has focused on theater for young audiences aged six to ten, while continuing her theater productions and various art projects in Kaohsiung. Among her collaborations with Uni Percussion are Changhua Score, The Temple of Resonance, and the sound project for children, “The Same, but Different.”

Production Team

Music Direction and Percussion Performance｜Hsueh Yung-Chih

Co-Director｜Tso Hanchieh

Sound Collaboration｜Chou Li-Ting

Set Designer｜Chen,Ching-Ting

Lighting Designer｜Chiu, Pin-Hsueh

Costume Designer｜Hu, Wui-Min

Stage Manager｜Hsu, Chiung-Fang

PA system｜Wen, Cheng-Han(Kaohsiung), Chung, Yang-Che(Taichung)

Producer｜Angelina Jian(Kaohsiung), Ella Jheng(Taichung)

Assitant｜Zhang Yu-Wei

Photographer｜Wu, Po-Yuan