Weiwuying Launches Taiwan Dance Memory Map Project to Enrich Taiwan's Art History
Weiwuying is advancing the "Taiwan Dance Memory Map Project" to fill historical gaps in Taiwan's dance history through oral histories, thematic research, and exhibitions, making digitized materials available in the National Cultural Memory Bank. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and the public, promoting universal access to art. The National Museum of Taiwan History is also collaborating to ensure long-term preservation and public access to dance-related historical materials. Many dance luminaries support this project, focusing on documenting the achievements of pioneers like Yao Ming-li, Jiang Ming-chu, and Jian Zi-ai.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 18:49
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Weiwuying Artistic Director Chien Wen-pin stated at a press conference today that the "Taiwan Dance Memory Map Project" is a cultural engineering race against time. "Through oral histories, thematic research, and exhibition interpretation, we are filling in past recording gaps to construct a complete historical puzzle of Taiwan's dance."
Chien Wen-pin said that a kick-off symposium was held at Weiwuying last year, where he "felt the expectations of dance predecessors, hoping that this project would allow these scattered materials to be organized, seen, and utilized." Currently, 15 research projects have been launched, and over 200 dance reviews have been digitized. In the future, posters, program booklets, photos, and videos will also be digitized and uploaded to the National Cultural Memory Bank, aiming to bridge the gap between academia and the public and achieve universal access to art.
Yang Fu-chin, Director of the Digital Innovation Center of the National Museum of Taiwan History, stated that the museum has long been committed to the collection, research, and interpretation of Taiwan's history and culture, and continues to promote the operation and application of the National Cultural Memory Bank. This cooperation with Weiwuying will help accumulate dance-related audio-visual materials, historical data, and interpretive content. Through the memory bank website's storage and authorization mechanisms, precious data can be preserved long-term and made openly accessible, further expanding the public value of dance memory.
At the signing ceremony today, dance predecessors including Yao Ming-li, Jiang Ming-chu, Jian Zi-ai, and Hsu Chun-hsiang attended to show their support. Yu Li-jung of the Capital Ballet also represented Hsu Chin-feng. Other attendees included consultants Chen Pin-hsiu, Chen Ya-ping, and "Poor Man," along with key personnel from the 15 research projects, Li Lu, Chen Yu-chun, Chen Hui-yun, and Chao Yu-ling.
Core researcher Mo Lan-lan said that the oral history part faces the urgency of time. "Many dance predecessors gracefully turn and bid farewell to the stage, and these experiences will disappear with them. We must record them in time."
Mo Lan-lan cited examples, such as Yao Ming-li, who is the "beautiful gardener" of Taiwan ballet. "In 1979, she introduced the full-length ballet 'Giselle,' pioneering the production of large-scale ballets in Taiwan." Jiang Ming-chu established systematic teaching, promoting the beauty of Taiwan's folk dance internationally. Jian Zi-ai, 96, has been deeply involved in dance in Taoyuan for many years, cultivating many dancers, all of which are very precious.
Core researcher Fan Hsiang-chun told the Central News Agency after the meeting that this project is a record of Taiwan dance's "time and space." "We will cover dance events happening across Taiwan from the two major dimensions of time and space, and resonate with the broader social context of the time." Fan Hsiang-chun said that dance actually has a social aspect. "We are not just recording theatrical art dance, but a comprehensive observation of the social events of dance." (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150408
Chien Wen-pin said that a kick-off symposium was held at Weiwuying last year, where he "felt the expectations of dance predecessors, hoping that this project would allow these scattered materials to be organized, seen, and utilized." Currently, 15 research projects have been launched, and over 200 dance reviews have been digitized. In the future, posters, program booklets, photos, and videos will also be digitized and uploaded to the National Cultural Memory Bank, aiming to bridge the gap between academia and the public and achieve universal access to art.
Yang Fu-chin, Director of the Digital Innovation Center of the National Museum of Taiwan History, stated that the museum has long been committed to the collection, research, and interpretation of Taiwan's history and culture, and continues to promote the operation and application of the National Cultural Memory Bank. This cooperation with Weiwuying will help accumulate dance-related audio-visual materials, historical data, and interpretive content. Through the memory bank website's storage and authorization mechanisms, precious data can be preserved long-term and made openly accessible, further expanding the public value of dance memory.
At the signing ceremony today, dance predecessors including Yao Ming-li, Jiang Ming-chu, Jian Zi-ai, and Hsu Chun-hsiang attended to show their support. Yu Li-jung of the Capital Ballet also represented Hsu Chin-feng. Other attendees included consultants Chen Pin-hsiu, Chen Ya-ping, and "Poor Man," along with key personnel from the 15 research projects, Li Lu, Chen Yu-chun, Chen Hui-yun, and Chao Yu-ling.
Core researcher Mo Lan-lan said that the oral history part faces the urgency of time. "Many dance predecessors gracefully turn and bid farewell to the stage, and these experiences will disappear with them. We must record them in time."
Mo Lan-lan cited examples, such as Yao Ming-li, who is the "beautiful gardener" of Taiwan ballet. "In 1979, she introduced the full-length ballet 'Giselle,' pioneering the production of large-scale ballets in Taiwan." Jiang Ming-chu established systematic teaching, promoting the beauty of Taiwan's folk dance internationally. Jian Zi-ai, 96, has been deeply involved in dance in Taoyuan for many years, cultivating many dancers, all of which are very precious.
Core researcher Fan Hsiang-chun told the Central News Agency after the meeting that this project is a record of Taiwan dance's "time and space." "We will cover dance events happening across Taiwan from the two major dimensions of time and space, and resonate with the broader social context of the time." Fan Hsiang-chun said that dance actually has a social aspect. "We are not just recording theatrical art dance, but a comprehensive observation of the social events of dance." (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150408
FAQ
What is the purpose of the "Taiwan Dance Memory Map Project"?
The project aims to fill historical gaps in Taiwan's dance history through oral histories, thematic research, and exhibition interpretation, constructing a complete historical puzzle. It also seeks to bridge the gap between academia and the public by making digitized materials available in the National Cultural Memory Bank, achieving universal access to art.
Who are the notable figures in the dance world highlighted by this project?
The project particularly highlights pioneers such as Yao Ming-li, Jiang Ming-chu, and Jian Zi-ai. Yao Ming-li, known as the "beautiful gardener" of Taiwan ballet, introduced the full-length ballet 'Giselle' in 1979, pioneering large-scale ballet productions in Taiwan. Jiang Ming-chu established systematic teaching, promoting the beauty of Taiwan's folk dance internationally. Jian Zi-ai, at 96, has cultivated many dancers through her long-term dedication to dance in Taoyuan.