Initiated in 2011, “New Choreographer” is a project for dancers scattered abroad. Founded by Taiwanese choreographer Hsiao-Mei Ho and based on the intention of showing care for young Taiwanese dancer ‘vagabonds’, “New Choreographer” has been held for five consecutive years, inviting in total 14 outstanding expats home.
Those exceptional expat dancers lead their lives abroad with the perseverance and spirit of Taiwanese youngsters, focusing on the stage they strive hard to get; on the other hand, “New Choreographer” aims to build a platform in the homeland for them to return to the roots and receive support and applause. Friends and family are also given a precious opportunity to express their pride.
Within a short period of six years, the seeds planted by “New Choreographer” have sprouted – every one of each dancer who participated displayed unique character; they showed new direction of development in the Taiwanese art circle, got involved in new domains, and played important roles at major performances in the country.
Moreover, they translated their experiences abroad through the language of dance, stepping onto the world stage from a choreographer’s perspective.
Dispersed around the globe, the dancers would continue onto their varied journeys, but all are advancing on the path of their dance dreams.
Since 2015, “New Choreographer” began the “Bring Friends Home” movement, allowing even more creativity to be integrated with culture on the new platform, encouraging the young generation to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and cross-cultural competitiveness.
In 2017, the project took one step further, returning to Yilan – the hometown of both the Art Director Hsiao-Mei Ho and one of the dancers 董柏霖, bringing the dream of dancing closer and closer to home.
Every year midsummer in the future, we expect to establish more stages to welcome more homebound new choreographers and hope for more people to join the group.
For young dancers who are ready to venture overseas and dancers currently abroad, “New Choreographer” is like an index, pointing towards both the path forward and the way home.
MeimageDance
Founded in 2010 by Taiwanese choreographer Hsiao-Mei HO, a renowned expert in creating surreal images.
MeimageDance’s works feature a strong visual and cultural style. Recent work 'renaissance of its ashes'(2019) reflects the life and death of all named and unnamed living creatures. New Paradise of Silent Island'(2018) exhibits the conflict between western and eastern culture in Taiwan. Earlier works 'Camouflage,' and 'My Dear' shows emotions in the human world.
Apart from Ho's own work, MeimageDance has started the program ‘New Choreographer Project,’ inviting prominent choreographers who live and travel abroad back home to create, to perform, and to share their adventurous experiences. Positioned as the ‘cradle for dancers,’ MeimageDance continues offering chances for outstanding dancers. The project hopes to nurture talented choreographers who have both international perspectives and local characteristics, and to carry forward the promotion and preservation of artistic education.
Artistic Director－Hsiao-Mei HO
Hsiao-Mei HO, the 19th National Award for Arts. Ho is also the professor of the Dance Department, Taipei National University of the Arts; curriculum consultant at Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s studio.
HO’s work “Camouflage,” commissioned by The National Theater and Concert Hall in 2015, was also performed at Beijing Dance Festival; at the same year, UCLA invited her along with the company to perform “Camouflage” shorter version and to promote performing arts at the Workshop for Department of World Arts and Cultures. In 2014, she choreographed for “Above Taiwan Concert.” Her choreography “My Dear” (2013) won the Taishin Arts Award, and “Beyond the Pale” (2011), and “Woo! Barbie” (2010) were nominated for the pioneering award supporting Taiwanese artists. In 2009, “Middle” was invited to perform at International Organization of Stenographers Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) in Seoul, Korea. In 2006, Hong Kong Dance Festival invited her to present “My Freud.” Her work “The Covered Picture” was invited to Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival in 2001. In 2000, she served as the rehearsal director for Cloud Gate 2; also, she was a dancer as well as visiting choreographer for Cloud Gate. In 1995, HO was invited to be the commission choreographer at the American Dance Festival.
Hsiao-Mei HO’s early works were inspired by Taiwanese folk culture, exploring the cultural image of the Taiwanese and reflecting on the current social situation, using art as social commentary. Her works were often thought-provoking, reflecting Taiwan’s turbulence and diversity, with its underlying silence and intensity. At the present stage, she is famous for using strong and unique visual effect on stage to present human inner thoughts in modern society.
Event Schedule
AUG 29th (SAT) 18:00 Huashan Umay Theater
AUG 29th (SAT) 20:00 Huashan Umay Theater
AUG 30th (SUN) 18:00 Huashan Umay Theater
AUG 30th (SUN) 20:00 Huashan Umay Theater
Sept 6th (FRI) 19:30 National Experimental Theater, Taipei
Sept 7th (SAT) 14:30 National Experimental Theater, Taipei
Sept 7th (SAT) 19:30 National Experimental Theater, Taipei
Sept 8th (SUN) 14:30 National Experimental Theater, Taipei