From cultural nationalism to transnational and personal arts

The role of dancers and women in the reconstruction of the Taiwanese identity

Abstract

During the 1970s, U.S. policy shifted to embrace China, and the United Nations recognized China, abandoning Taiwan. This was a deep psychological blow to the Taiwanese people, prompting the rise of Taiwanese nationalism. In 1974 Mr. Lin Hwai-min established Cloud Gate Dance Theater, the first professional modern dance company in Taiwan. This paper starts with an analysis of the significance and impact of Legacy, Cloud Gate's signature work, created in 1978, and then addresses the role of dancers in developing Taiwanese identity in general, particularly of female dancers. It shows that, as Taiwan has become a modern civil society, Lin has worked to convey a sense of national identity by selectively utilizing Chinese and Taiwanese cultural legacy as the basis for his choreographic work. In the process, Cloud Gate's female dancers have gradually grown from politically inexperienced and innocent youth to conscientious interpretive artists. They have drawn on their artistry as performers, their ability to influence Lin's choreography and their expertise as educators and visionaries to contribute to an emerging cultural and national identity. As Lin's work evolved and the next generation of choreographers appeared on the scene, defining Taiwanese identity became more complex and fluid. This work then demonstrates that, as Taiwan emerges as more modernized, globalized and democratized, the paradigm has shifted decidedly from a national consciousness to a transnational one, and the next generation brings self-focus, personal reflection and individual experience to the concert stage.