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How distanced from theater have you been during the pandemic?

2021.10.12
How distanced from theater have you been during the pandemic?

Written by CHOU Shu-yi Weiwuying Artist-In-Residence

I remember the day that the theater closed because of the Level 3 alert, and we all had no idea when it would re-open. My colleagues at Weiwuying and I started putting away all our stuff and getting ready to leave so that disinfection could take place. Since I didn't know when I'd be back, I packed up a lot of materials that I might need while working from home. I suddenly thought, as a resident artist, what could I bring with me? The most important thing Weiwuying gave me was a place to rehearse, a place for creative development. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring that with me! I'm guessing that's what everyone in the performing arts sector worries about most with Covid-19—the temporary closure of spaces where we maintain our artistic energy.

 

While working from home, having to train as a dancer in such a small space made me think back on when I used to rent a house. At that time, when I wasn't regularly rehearsing, I usually practiced at home. That's why I've been able to adjust to practicing from home so well. But what about musicians? Can they practice on their own at home? And the difficulty for circus performers goes without saying. At this time when performers have no shows to rehearse for and directors have no performers to work with, some of them have started practicing by themselves, searching for places to do so, like on the roofs and balconies of their homes. A lot of performers and backstage workers are having a tough time. Some have had to start working as food deliveries or learning other skills. When the pandemic is over and they can get back to work, they'll have some extra skills. How we should transform our thinking and make our way forward under such circumstances is perhaps the greatest test this pandemic is giving us!

Despite the outbreak in May, Weiwuying actually became busier because of work related to canceling and postponing programs and figuring out response strategies with artists. Whether to keep live performances or transition to an all-online model is a question that has had to be resolved for each program and its related marketing. Also, with staggered shifts, most tasks had to be completed online. Once when I bumped into General and Artistic Director CHIEN Wen-pin, he laughed and said that conductors weren't waving their batons anymore; instead, they were just waving their fingers all over their phone screens to get their online work done! 

As I walked through empty public spaces, I thought about all the interesting moments the performances here have produced over the past three years. There have been aspects that were quite touching and connected to life. The standstill caused people to have no choice but learn how to get used to the new quiet. I started dancing, exploring a space with nobody in it but sunshine, looking forward to when we could begin again and hoping with all my heart that other performers would be able to make it through until that happened.

Besides practicing at home and working online, I prepared for all the programs that were canceled or postponed. Then, after over two months, good news came: Weiwuying was scheduled to re-open! I immediately initiated rehearsals and a tour for The Center. Even though seating was reduced by half and people probably wouldn't be willing to go to public spaces so soon, as long as an arts center and its team are able to start up again, the industry can get going. As for how long it will take to get back to normal, no one knows. All we can do is strive forward. Whether live or online, each is a path that will take us into the unknown. With the pandemic, it seems that we have become distanced from the performing arts, but a lot of artists and workers in the field are thinking about how to close this distance. Finding a way in the face of adversity is a human instinct and preciously significant in the birth of new art.

 

Shows are back on, so come and explore the distance between life and art!

 

Learn More:

Weiwuying Artist-In-Residence-CHOU Shu-yi

 

 

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Membership Terms of Service

Last updated on January. 2024

General Terms and Conditions

  • The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) (hereinafter referred to as the “Center”) provides membership services (hereinafter referred to as “Services”) pursuant to these general terms and conditions. By submitting this membership application or utilizing the Services, the applicant (hereinafter referred to as “Member”) is considered to have read, understood and consented to these general terms and conditions. The Center reserves the right to modify any of these general terms and conditions, and to announce these modifications on its official website without any additional notice to the member. It is suggested that the member regularly check the latest general terms and conditions. By continuing to use the services after modification(s) of these terms and conditions, the member confirms to have read, understood, and agreed to the modification(s). The member has the right to terminate utilization of Services in the event of disagreement with the modification(s).
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      C002 Financial Identifier: Credit card number, bank account information, etc.
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  • The Center agrees to reasonably maintain the Services, and reserves the right to terminate and shall not be liable for making indemnity Services in the following instances:
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    2. An emergency breakdown of relevant electronic equipment.
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    4. Force majeure or any other unforeseen matter or factor outside of the Center’s control.

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  • Those who present a valid membership card while purchasing tickets for programs organized by Weiwuying, official merchandise, or admission to other events shall receive membership discounts.
  • While purchasing tickets online, members with valid cards shall receive discounts upon entering their membership information. Only Weiwuying Unlimited members shall be eligible to receive one free ticket for each of any program organized by Weiwuying (excluding co-sponsored and co-organized programs as well as any other non-program events). The ticket must be booked 14 days before the date of the program and may only be used by the member. The seat assignment and ticket type shall be determined by Weiwuying and based on booking order.
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    2. There is no physical card for Weiwuying Unlimited e-CARD /Weiwuying Lifestyle e-CARD /Weiwuying Youth e-CARD from January1, 2024. Membership cards that were issued before December31, 2023 also feature the function of iPass card, please refer to iPass regulations on accounting, deducting, and depositing.
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      2. Lifestyle members can enjoy a free renewal for a year with reward points. They can collect points during the valid membership period from spending on tickets for programs performed in the Center, in-store purchases, and in our gift shop. If unable to collect the required number of points, they may pay for membership renewal in person or online. We will inform you by email detailing your eligibility for free renewal 30 days before your membership expires. Once your payment has been processed, no refunds will be given.
      3. Youth members are automatically renewed each year for free (with no need to have your identity re-verified) until you are 24 years old. Accumulated reward points will be reset to zero upon the annual renewal or if your membership has been revoked. Once your Youth membership expires (on your 24 years old), it will be automatically renewed as a one-year Lifestyle membership if you have at least 1,000 reward points.
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    5. If the behavior or actions of a member threatens to damage the reputation of the Centre and/or violates membership terms and conditions, the Centre reserves the right to suspend membership until the matter is resolved. In serious cases membership may be terminated.
  • Updating Personal Profile
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    2. If you wish to cancel your membership, you should contact our customer service desk in person with proof of ID for assistance.
  • Terminating Membership
    1. Membership is regarded as terminated when valid period expires; however, iPass function of the membership card will remain functional.
    2. If member wish to terminate membership prior to the end of membership period, please contact our customer service team in person for assistance. The annual membership fees are not refundable once the application has been successfully processed. We regret that you will not be able to receive membership benefits when membership ends, including but not limited to in-store purchases and tickets. You are also not entitled to claim points retroactively or request a replacement card.
    3. If member’s profile is fraudulently used by others or you have violated applicable laws, transaction security or the Membership Rules, the Center deems it necessary in order to protect the security of transaction, the Group, or a third party; the use of the member service will be terminated, and if necessary, the transaction will be refused, terminated or registration data will be deleted or removed. The Center will not liable for any damage that you may incur in connection with the Membership Service.
  • Other Notices:
    1. Membership application forms and other related documents submitted to the Center will not be returned. The Center reserves the right to accept or reject any membership application.
    2. The Center reserves the right to modify, terminate, or amend any membership benefit or discounts, as well as to activate and terminate memberships.
    3. The Center reserves the right to modify or revise its membership plan, and such modifications or revisions will be posted on its website.
  • Special Authorization
    1. For the supply of the service may from the website, goods and services (or gifts, etc.) may be necessary to supply through the delivery, logistics service provider. Member agrees and authorizes use of any personal information deemed necessary by the Center (e.g. recipient name, shipping address, phone number, etc.), Provided to delivery, goods or service providers to complete the supply, delivery and retrieval of the goods and services (or gifts, etc.).
    2. iPass Personal Information Terms and Notices:
      Members of the Center that were issued before December 31, 2023 also enjoys the services of iPass. To comply with regulations, when the Member applies for membership card, The Center shall provide iPass Corporation the Member’s personal information (name, ID No./Resident Certificate No., birthdate, nationality, telephone number, address, e-mail address), allowing iPass Corporation to collect, handle, and utilize within its business scope (electronic ticketing and payment). Adhering to Personal Information Protection Act, iPass Corporation has published all related notices on official website www.i-pass.com.tw. For any inquiries, please call service hotline +886-7-791-2000.

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