"UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay" Explores Mythology, Queerness, and Technology
The theatrical work "UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay," a collaboration between new media artist Shu Lea Cheang and Truku artist Dondon Hounwn, will premiere at the Taipei Performing Arts Center. Developed over five years, the piece merges mythology, queerness, and technology to explore issues like gender fluidity.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 22:21
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Central News Agency
(CNA, Taipei, 14th, Reporter Chao Ching-yu) Developed over five years, "UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay," a creation by new media pioneer Shu Lea Cheang and Truku ritual practitioner-artist Dondon Hounwn, will premiere at the Globe Playhouse of the Taipei Performing Arts Center, exploring mythology, queerness, and technology in a theatrical format.
The work tells the story of a hunter who, while hunting, gets caught in a heavy rain and falls into a deep sleep after taking shelter in a tree hole. Upon waking, he enters a sparkling, mysterious forest and encounters a group of unclothed, elegant, and beautiful male spirits. They embrace and intertwine, introducing themselves to the hunter: "We are Hagay." "Hagay" refers to males with feminine qualities.
Starting from Dondon's original script, Shu Lea Cheang added post-colonial thinking, tribal changes, and technological fantasy, transforming the stage into a fluid, dreamlike forest. The audience will see butterflies dance, mountains move, and laser beams become a medium for transmitting weaving and hunting knowledge. Finally, a spirit bridge will bring all performers together into the spirit world, guiding the audience out of the bewildering forest dream towards rebirth.
The work has been developed over 5 years and has toured various locations in Europe. It was invited for its world premiere at the Tate Modern in the UK in 2025, receiving an enthusiastic response. This year, it returns to Taiwan for the first time for its local premiere in its complete version. Shu Lea Cheang stated that although she has long used digital media in her creations, a key element for technology to enter "UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay" was the tribe's concept of "light."
Dondon explained that for the Truku people, "light" is the tribe's memory of "spirits." "The reason indigenous peoples are still indigenous is that they still believe in the existence of spirits."
Dondon's reflection on Hagay began in 2013, exploring his own gender temperament and state of being through his work. He applied a female facial tattoo, wore traditional attire, and danced in a river valley, responding to dreams and his physical body. But it was too avant-garde at the time and brought him criticism. Dondon Hounwn shelved this topic for nearly 10 years until recent years when he saw the younger generation openly discussing gender identity issues, deciding to bring Hagay back to the stage in a more mature form.
Throughout the process, Dondon Hounwn constantly dialogued with tribal elders, using art to loosen tribal taboos. Now, the tribe has same-sex marriage, men weave, and women hunt. "Just like plants grow from the cracks after an earthquake, the fluidity of gender roles is proof of the tribe's loosening and evolution."
Shu Lea Cheang believes that as an audience, one does not need to "understand" every symbol or context, but simply allow oneself to enter an immersive state. "When we performed in London, an audience member left a comment saying they didn't know what to expect at first but were completely immersed in the end. I think this feedback is crucial; this work is not meant to be fully interpreted, but to be experienced."
"UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay" will be performed from May 22 to 24 at the Globe Playhouse of the Taipei Performing Arts Center. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150514
(CNA, Taipei, 14th, Reporter Chao Ching-yu) Developed over five years, "UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay," a creation by new media pioneer Shu Lea Cheang and Truku ritual practitioner-artist Dondon Hounwn, will premiere at the Globe Playhouse of the Taipei Performing Arts Center, exploring mythology, queerness, and technology in a theatrical format.
The work tells the story of a hunter who, while hunting, gets caught in a heavy rain and falls into a deep sleep after taking shelter in a tree hole. Upon waking, he enters a sparkling, mysterious forest and encounters a group of unclothed, elegant, and beautiful male spirits. They embrace and intertwine, introducing themselves to the hunter: "We are Hagay." "Hagay" refers to males with feminine qualities.
Starting from Dondon's original script, Shu Lea Cheang added post-colonial thinking, tribal changes, and technological fantasy, transforming the stage into a fluid, dreamlike forest. The audience will see butterflies dance, mountains move, and laser beams become a medium for transmitting weaving and hunting knowledge. Finally, a spirit bridge will bring all performers together into the spirit world, guiding the audience out of the bewildering forest dream towards rebirth.
The work has been developed over 5 years and has toured various locations in Europe. It was invited for its world premiere at the Tate Modern in the UK in 2025, receiving an enthusiastic response. This year, it returns to Taiwan for the first time for its local premiere in its complete version. Shu Lea Cheang stated that although she has long used digital media in her creations, a key element for technology to enter "UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay" was the tribe's concept of "light."
Dondon explained that for the Truku people, "light" is the tribe's memory of "spirits." "The reason indigenous peoples are still indigenous is that they still believe in the existence of spirits."
Dondon's reflection on Hagay began in 2013, exploring his own gender temperament and state of being through his work. He applied a female facial tattoo, wore traditional attire, and danced in a river valley, responding to dreams and his physical body. But it was too avant-garde at the time and brought him criticism. Dondon Hounwn shelved this topic for nearly 10 years until recent years when he saw the younger generation openly discussing gender identity issues, deciding to bring Hagay back to the stage in a more mature form.
Throughout the process, Dondon Hounwn constantly dialogued with tribal elders, using art to loosen tribal taboos. Now, the tribe has same-sex marriage, men weave, and women hunt. "Just like plants grow from the cracks after an earthquake, the fluidity of gender roles is proof of the tribe's loosening and evolution."
Shu Lea Cheang believes that as an audience, one does not need to "understand" every symbol or context, but simply allow oneself to enter an immersive state. "When we performed in London, an audience member left a comment saying they didn't know what to expect at first but were completely immersed in the end. I think this feedback is crucial; this work is not meant to be fully interpreted, but to be experienced."
"UTOPIA-Z: The Amazing Hagay" will be performed from May 22 to 24 at the Globe Playhouse of the Taipei Performing Arts Center. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150514