Articles

Photo Credit: SU Hui-Yu

＃Column

Exploring Creativity at Lìzé Puppet Art Colony

2023-11-28

Nestled in the enchanting landscapes of Wujie Township in Yilan County, the Lìzé Puppet Art Colony stands as a trailblazing haven for contemporary puppetry in Taiwan. Its inception in 2014 marked the beginning of a decade-long odyssey, and since 2016, the colony has been fostering global artistic collaboration through its renowned artist-in-residence program, conducted in partnership with the esteemed 'Puppet and Its Double Theater,' boasting over two decades of excellence in the field.


In an insightful conversation with Artistic Director Chia-yin Cheng, we unraveled the colony's metamorphosis—a journey that saw the conversion of an idle granary into a pulsating creative space for puppetry in Yilan. Our discussions also delved into the meticulous process of selecting resident artists, providing an insider's glimpse into the fascinating world of puppetry creation.


Here are five compelling reasons
why artists worldwide are irresistibly drawn to the allure of Lìzé Puppet Art Colony:

I. A Dedicated Space for Puppetry Creation:

Choosing Yilan as its homebase, the colony was enamored by the region's natural beauty and cultural tapestry. Over four years, the granary underwent a transformation, evolving into specialized zones like woodworking and sewing factories, rehearsal spaces, exhibition areas, and workshops tailored for puppetry creation and promotion.


II. Professional Puppetry Team Support:

Leveraging the extensive expertise of the 'Puppet and Its Double Theater,' the colony's professional puppetry team provides robust support to resident artists. Their guidance instills confidence in various puppet-making techniques and materials, creating a nurturing environment for visiting artists.


III. Inspiring Natural & Cultural Resources:

Enveloped by verdant landscapes, artists draw inspiration from the nearby Fifty-two Jia Wetland and the tranquil coastline just a short stroll away. The suggestion to explore the nearby National Center for Traditional Arts adds another layer, allowing residents to immerse themselves in diverse traditional crafts and performances.


IV.Creative Atmosphere:

Furnished with state-of-the-art puppetry workshops and a supportive team, the colony fosters an atmosphere that stimulates continuous creative exploration. Artists revel in the freedom to experiment and delve into their ideas, cultivating a space for immersive artistic endeavors.


V. Puppetry Outreach Workshops:

With the backing of the Ministry of Culture, the colony actively collaborates with local communities and schools, enriching lives through artist-led workshops. These initiatives aim to democratize the art form, empowering diverse groups to express themselves through the captivating medium of puppetry.


 


Source: Sirikarn Bunjongtad (Jae), Daniela Casillas, Lìzé Puppet Art Colony.
Edited: Brix

Lìzé Puppet Art Colony
An intimate playground for puppet arts A revitalized barn in Yilan now hosts the very first art colony in Taiwan targeting contemporary puppetry. On the basis of Puppet and Its Double’s twenty-year effort in the area, it attempts to establish a fascinating creative space to explore the possibilities of puppetry, to provide interactive art-and-cultural experience, to organize performances and exhibitions, to educate, and so as to inspire everyone with the infinite imagination in the intriguing world of art. As a global art colony newly established to popularize puppetry, Lìzé Puppet Art Colony is not merely an important cultural spot in Yilan but also a creative hub and training base for Taiwanese puppet artists to connect to the world. Equipped with the puppet exhibition, a professional puppet building workshop, artists’ studios, rehearsal halls, performance spaces, it is one of the largest multipurpose artistic spaces for contemporary puppetry. The regular programs taking place here include artist-in-resident projects, puppetry workshops, masterclasses, collaboration projects, and an international network bringing performances from other countries together, followed by in-depth tours related to the art of puppetry and the Lìzé International Puppet Festival to make puppetry more accessible to Taiwanese of all ages and to make an impressive glocalized presence on the international space.
More Articles