The Internationale Tanzmesse nrw 2024

The 15th edition of the Internationale Tanzmesse NRW 2024 will be held from August 28 to 31, 2024, in Düsseldorf, Germany. This year’s theme highlights migration, cultural identity, the global south, community, and the heterogeneity of bodies.

The Ministry of Culture continues to support Taiwanese teams participating in the 2024 Internationale Tanzmesse NRW. The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), in collaboration with resident artist CHOU Shu-yi, is organizing the “TAIWAN MOVE!” project at the exhibition. This initiative will showcase 20 creations, each reflecting the exhibition's key curatorial themes: migration, identity, community, and the heterogeneity of bodies. By delving into these themes, the works aim to reflect the most authentic aspects of life on this land and the interwoven complexities of various life situations. This effort not only enhances Taiwan's connection with the world but also embodies the forward-looking spirits of artists propelling life forward.

Among the 20 creations, independent artist YU Yen-fang's work Propositions on Disappearance III has been selected for the official curated performances. This piece, dedicated to her late father, combines solo dance with theatrical elements to delve into the symbols and traces etched within her body and memory. By exploring the connections hidden within her genes, YU observes her long-standing habits and family customs. Her body becomes a vessel carrying her deceased father's breath, retracing the life memories they shared. Through dance, she extracts the deepest longing buried in her memory, using her personal life experiences to resonate with the historical context of the society and era she lived through.

YU Yen-fang is active in Taiwan and internationally, working across the fields of dance, theater, and live events. Propositions on Disappearance III will also present excerpts at the rehearsal studio of Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This presentation will provide an opportunity for interaction and exchange with international professionals present at the event.

During the four-day exhibition, Weiwuying will also host a TAIWAN MOVE! reception to promote the diverse Taiwanese creations. It will also collaborate with BlakDance from Australia, The Dance Centre Vancouver, Canadian Association for the Performing Arts (CAPACOA) in Canada and Danscentrum Sverige in Sweden to organize a MEET-UP: A Space for Indigenous Voices. This roundtable will highlight the themes of the global south, identity, and community, echoing the fair's curatorial topics. Through this network and event, Weiwuying aims to foster in-depth exchanges and dialogues, create opportunities for international cooperation and close partnerships, and develop new momentum for TAIWAN MOVE!