Join us for International Museum Day as we celebrate the vibrant art of Asian puppetry through an engaging dual experience. Begin with a 30-minute guided tour of our Asian Puppetry Exhibition, exploring the region's diverse traditions and cultural significance. Then, immerse yourself in a hands-on workshop led by a professional Potehi puppeteer, where you'll learn fundamental manipulation techniques of this traditional art form. This event offers a unique opportunity to both appreciate puppetry as a cultural heritage and actively participate in bringing these captivating figures to life.
Fee: FREE!
The event is FREE of charge. And on 18 May, the museum is FREE of admission.
However, to facilitate our guided tour and the English interpretation of the Potehi puppetry workshop, attendees will need to borrow audio tour devices by providing an ID as a deposit and using wired earphones. It is advised to use your own earphones.
<Rundown>
13:30-14:00 | Sign in (Main Building Information Desk)
14:00-14:30 | English guided tour of the special exhibition "Puppets: Expressions of Cultures "
14:30-15:20 | Manipulating the Potehi puppets with the real master
15:20-15:30 | Group photo & feedback survey
<About the Special Exhibition "Puppets: Expressions of Cultures">
Online exhibition: https://openmuseum.tw/muse/exhibition/89084a9222699f7806fa92d44558b54f
<About the Guest Speaker>
KUO Chien-Fu, the Founder and Director of the Unique Puppet Theater.
Born around 1991, Kuo Chien-fu founded the Unique Puppet Theater in 2012 at age 21. His artistic journey began watching Chinese operas with his great-grandfather, leading him through puppetry training in school and eventually to apprentice with renowned puppeteer Chen Xi-huang.
Though initially only interested in puppet creation, Kuo embraced Chen's holistic approach to puppetry as an art encompassing painting, engraving, embroidery, music, acting, poetry, and manipulation. In 2012, Chen formally recognized him as the third-generation successor of hand puppetry master Li Tien-lu.
As of 2017, Kuo balanced troupe practice, university studies in visual communication, and work as the Gu Gallery's resident performer while participating in the Ministry of Culture's traditional arts preservation program. His craftsmanship gained national recognition when President Tsai Ing-wen selected his puppets as official gifts for foreign dignitaries.
With traditional puppetry facing decline in Taiwan, Kuo believes its future lies in emphasizing its sophisticated aesthetics and appealing to adult audiences with refined tastes rather than competing with mass entertainment.
News:
1. https://www.moc.gov.tw/en/News_Content2.aspx?n=467&s=229943
2. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/04/23/2003669275
This event is in collaboration with the National Development Council.
