Taiwan Today
Date: December 17, 2015
This year’s winners of the National Award for Arts, the highest honor
National Award for Arts winner Ho Hsiao-mei is forging new frontiers in modern dance via cutting-edge multimedia effects and cross-genre collaboration. (UDN)
afforded to artists in Taiwan, were named Dec. 15 by the National Culture and Arts Foundation.
The recipients are Beiguan musician Chuang Chin-tsai, dancer Ho Hsiao-mei, novelist Li Yong-ping, architect Joshua Jih Pan and contemporary installation artist Wu Ma-li. Each will receive a medal and cash prize of NT$1 million (US$30,349) at a presentation ceremony next year.
“All of the winners are a credit to Taiwan’s artistic community,” an NCAF official said. “We are proud to add their names to a storied list of past recipients and further enhance the nation’s rich cultural tapestry.”
Chuang, founder of the Hanyan Beiguan Troupe, is the oldest honoree this year. Mastering the traditional music and Taiwanese opera genres, the 81-year-old musician has worked tirelessly to pass the torch to the younger generation over the past 20 years.
Equally deserving is Ho, who follows in the footsteps of Sheu Fang-yi—winner of the award in 2007 and former principal dancer for Martha Graham Dance Company. Her headline piece “My Dear” with paper-cut artist Jam Wu examines interpersonal relationships and harnesses multimedia effects to deliver fresh onstage experiences. [FULL STORY]
