South By Southwest (SXSW), the largest innovative creative content exhibition in the U.S., will take place from Mar. 7 to 15 in Austin, Texas. This year, four groups of Taiwanese artists have been selected to showcase their innovative works at SXSW, showcasing Taiwan’s fusion of art and technology.
“Proof As If Proof Were Needed,” an artistic co-production by Taipei-based TTC Studios (張碩尹工作室) and the U.K.’s artists’ group Blast Theory, has been selected for the SXSW XR Experience Competition. Meanwhile, “Address Unknown: Fukushima Now (住所不明：福島今),” a collaboration between Serendipity Films Ltd. (綺影映畫) and artists from Japan and the U.S., along with Riverbed Theatre (河床劇場)’s “Just For You Trilogy (開房間VR三部曲),” will be featured in the XR Experience Spotlight program. Additionally, “Future Puppet Show,” an immersive puppetry production by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (陽明交通大學) Professor Chun-Cheng Hsu’s (許峻誠) research team, has been selected for the Student Innovation program.
Another major highlight is the Taiwan Beats Showcase, presented by Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development (BAMID) and Young Team Productions (群青娛樂). This year, it will feature six groups of Taiwanese musicians, further amplifying Taiwan’s presence at SXSW.
Additionally, Audrey Tang (唐鳳), Taiwan’s Minister Without Portfolio, has been invited to deliver a talk titled “Power to the People: Technology for Citizen Participation,” discussing how technology has contributed to Taiwan’s democratic development.