A joint production by Taiwan and Australia premiered at the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts held Feb. 27 to March 1 in Melbourne, exploring the intersection of ancient cultures and contemporary society.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the staging of “Gapu Ŋupan,” which means “chasing the rainbow” in Australian Indigenous language Yolŋu, was made possible with additional support from Creative Australia, Creative Victoria, City of Melbourne, Miku Performing Arts, Kath Papas Productions and Artback NT, as well as Hui Jia Creatives based in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan.
The show weaves together Yolŋu songlines from Arnhem Land, a historical region in Australia’s Northern Territory, and storytelling from Taiwan’s Paiwan and other Indigenous tribes. It is the result of five years of collaboration, featuring performers and artists from Bangarra Dance Theatre and Yothu Yindi of Australia, gripping songs in the Paiwan language, stunning handmade costumes and traditional instruments.
A report by Australia Broadcasting Corporation said that while thousands of kilometers of ocean separate the Yolŋu people from the native groups of Taiwan, the two sides have discovered commonalities, adding that over the past decade, relationships built through artistic exchanges have led them to believe their experiences are connected.
During a reception following the opening night Feb. 28, Asia TOPA Creative Director Jeff Khan praised the production as a major cross-cultural collaboration and said Asia TOPA was happy to present the work to foster ancestral links between the Indigenous peoples of Taiwan and Australia.
According to the MOC, others involved in the show include composer and Co-artistic Director Suming Rupi of the Amis tribe; Co-Producer Dremedreman Curimudjuq, musician Ljaucu Talimaraw and dancer Piya Talaliman of the Paiwan tribe; choreographer and Co-artistic Director Rachael Wallis of Australia and Banula Marika, a custodian of the Yolŋu cultural knowledge with over 40 years of performing experience. (SFC-E)
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