The Art of Taiwanese Glove Puppet Theater

When

Monday May 23, 2016: 7:00pm to 8:30pm  Add to Calendar /   Add to Google Calendar

Where

Downtown Library: Secret Lab

For Whom

Grade 6 - Adult

Description

This presentation will explore the history, styles, and main themes of glove puppet theatre in Taiwan as well as its relationship to other Chinese theatrical and artistic forms. This event is in coordination with the glove puppet theatre performance by the I Wan Jan Puppet Theater on Tuesday, May 24 at 7pm at the Downtown Library.

Glove puppet (also called hand puppet) theatre is a traditional theatrical art form that combines aspects of folk arts such as woodcarving and embroidery with traditional music and Chinese dramatic forms based on famous historical novels.

This form of puppet theatre has been practiced in Taiwan since it was introduced by immigrants from the southeastern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangzhou in about the 18th century. Overtime in Taiwan, it developed some distinctive Taiwanese characteristics with the use of the local dialects and artistic styles, as well as theatrical and technical innovations to engage an ever-changing audience.

Ann Arbor residents and Eastern Michigan University Professors, Guey-Meei Yang and Tom Suchan, will lead this presentation. Guey-Meei Yang is a Professor of Visual Art Education with a specialization in multicultural art education and technology integration. Tom Suchan researches medieval Chinese religious art. In addition to their individual fields they have collaborated on a number of joint publications and research projects.