SEATTLE, April 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiwan, renowned not only for its semiconductors and
TSMC but also for its vibrant pop music and music-related cultural
scenes, which are showcased in the
"MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN
CALLING!" exhibition. In collaboration with Taiwan Studies Arts
& Culture Program at University of
Washington (UW), the Taipei Music Center (TMC) proudly
presents this exhibition designed to introduce the evolution and
influence of Taiwanese and Mandarin pop music. Taking place on the
UW campus from April 24 to May 28,
the exhibition features a roundtable discussion and guided
exhibition tours led by industry experts including Kay Huang – a venerated musician as well as
Chairperson of TMC, Ma Shih-Fang –
an award-winning broadcaster, and Chen
Te-Cheng – a respected music critic in Taiwan.
MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN
CALLING!" marks the first international outreach of the Taipei
Music Center's widely acclaimed permanent exhibit "MUSIC, ISLAND,
STORIES: Pop Music in Taiwan." The
event provides a unique opportunity for a global audience to gain a
deeper understanding of this precious island through the lens of
its popular music culture. The exhibition highlights Taiwan's distinctive geographical and
historical contexts, illustrating how its diverse cultural heritage
has nurtured the creativity of musicians. Featuring charismatic
singers and influential music creators, with their timeless,
cross-generational works, the
exhibition manifests Taiwan's role
as the key originator of Mandopop. It also shines a spotlight
on how Taiwan uses music to
connect with the world, and their global
presence.
Kay Huang, Chairperson of the
Taipei Music Center, states that unlike other cultural institutions
in the world that root for various art forms, the TMC is
specifically devoted to bolstering Taiwan's pop music. With innovative
strategies, government support and strong collaborations within the
industry, the TMC provides an integrated platform encompassing
education, creation, production, and exhibitions. It has also
teamed up with music stores and lifestyle shops to regularly host
events that revitalize the cityscape, rejuvenate the cultural
heritage, and foster an emotional bond with pop music, the local
communities, and the city itself. Committed to the philosophy that
"Music is Life; Living in Music," the TMC strives to become the
heart of Taiwan's music industry.
The innovative public-private partnership approach has stood out in
Taiwan's cultural promotion
efforts and remains unique in the international arena.
"MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN
CALLING!" is more than just an exhibition; it's a journey of
cultural exchange. Seattle, chosen
as the exhibit's first overseas venue, holds significant importance
as the cradle of the influential American music genre known as
Grunge or the Seattle Sound. The city witnessed the emergence of
legendary Nirvana and Pearl Jam whose works profoundly shaped the
evolution of contemporary pop music by incorporating social issues
into the mainstream culture. The exhibition's international debut
in Seattle serves as a testament
to how pop music can be a powerful tool for fostering
cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
The eagerly-awaited exhibition, "MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES:
TAIWAN CALLING!," features 50
selected items, encompassing a diverse array of topics. Visitors
will explore traditional instruments, experience the impact of rock
music during the U.S. military presence in Taiwan, and feel the rise of "Sing Your Own
Songs" folk music movement in the 1970s. The exhibition also traces
Taiwan's emergence as the center
of Mandopop following the lift of the martial law in 1987 as well
as its subsequent transition to democracy, offering insights into
the international trajectory of contemporary pop music in
Taiwan while revealing the
enchanting allure of this genre's new
era.
Apart from the exhibition at the UW Allen Library North Lobby
from April 24 to May 28, an in-person
public roundtable discussion scheduled on April 24, along with two guided exhibition tours
by experts respectively on April 25
and 26, will offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to delve deeper into
Taiwan's rich music culture.
Participants will have the privilege of hearing about visions and
experiences of music professionals including Kay Huang, Ma
Shih-Fang, and Chen Te-Cheng,
all of whom are ready to bring the energy and profundity of Taiwan's popular music.
To register now, please visit:
https://jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/2024/01/29/taiwancalling/
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seattle-sound-embraces-taiwans-vibrant-pop-music-scene-with-music-island-stories-taiwan-calling-exhibition-302119095.html
SOURCE Taipei Music Center