The Nanyang Intelligence Bureau (2018)
Since early 20th century, a huge laboratory became the paradise of the northernmost of the south, and a preparation site for future power expansion into Southeast Asia. The Nanyang Intelligence Bureau was initiated by visual artist Sow-Yee AU’s exploration into the relationship between physical body and movement of Chih-Chung CHENG (Ah Chung). Taking the obsession of locomotion in film history as the starting interface, AU tries to re-construct the imaginations of films or images in the audiences’ consciousness with the physical body as well as the intangible “sounds” it drives and the intangible “borders” it initiates. This is an alternative story of a secret agent, integrating texts excerpted from mythologies, epics, journals, historical / colonial texts, novels, spells of a shaman, Malay poetry and others. The Nanyang Intelligence Bureau attempts to question and imagine the circulation and transformation of Asian history.
Since early 20th century, a huge laboratory became the paradise of the northernmost of the south, and a preparation site for future power expansion into Southeast Asia. The Nanyang Intelligence Bureau was initiated by visual artist Sow-Yee AU’s exploration into the relationship between physical body and movement of Chih-Chung CHENG (Ah Chung). Taking the obsession of locomotion in film history as the starting interface, AU tries to re-construct the imaginations of films or images in the audiences’ consciousness with the physical body as well as the intangible “sounds” it drives and the intangible “borders” it initiates. This is an alternative story of a secret agent, integrating texts excerpted from mythologies, epics, journals, historical / colonial texts, novels, spells of a shaman, Malay poetry and others. The Nanyang Intelligence Bureau attempts to question and imagine the circulation and transformation of Asian history.
Theatre Performance: Premiere: 5 - 7 October 2018 @ Experimental Theatre, Taipei, Taiwan (part of the 2018 International Theater Festival)
Performance Except:
https://vimeo.com/301627336
Reviews:
https://talks.taishinart.org.tw/event/talks/2018121002
https://talks.taishinart.org.tw/juries/cwc/2018111801