Taiwan theater troupe Co-coism (明日和合製作所) has been invited to the 2018 Bangkok International Performing Art Meeting, where it'll debut its solo duet "Still Air" on Nov. 16.
"Still Air" is about the relationship between a lonely man and his invisible boyfriend, with both roles being performed by one actor. Beyond gender identity, the performance also explores the inability to love and be loved, and urban isolation.
"Still Air" was first staged in Taiwan in 2016, where it received nods from both the 9th Taipei Fringe Festival and the 15th Taishin Arts Award for its observation of social phenomena, specifically the human need for being in a relationship, versus the eternal pursuit of freedom.
Co-coism is a multi-creator collective. The company was founded in 2016 by three theater directors — Huang Chien-han, Chang Kang-hua, and Huang Ding-yun. The core trio collaborates with fellow Taiwanese artists who have different backgrounds in theater development and production, with an emphasis on new media, scenography, and activism.
Apart from showcasing "Still Air," Co-coism will also attend several international forums with members of Thinkers' Theater (思劇場), a Taipei-based co-organizer of the annual Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts, and the management team of Thailand's Thong Lor Art Space. Their talks will focus on the operations and objectives of independent art venues and cultural festivals.
The annual Bangkok International Performing Art Meeting (BIPAM) aims to serve as a gateway for the world to explore Southeast Asia through vibrant performing arts. Under the 2018 theme "Root Routes: The Journey of Roots, Customs, and Traditions in the Performing Arts," the program will examine whether cultural traditions still enrich or enhance the ambitions of contemporary society today.
‘Still Air’