During a residency in Portugal, choreographer Baru MADILJIN discovered a new artistic direction. Upon returning to Taiwan after that period of quiet, he became keenly aware of how society views Indigenous people and contemporary dance—much like gazing at animals in a zoo. This uneasiness clarified a new path for him: leading his dancers into a realm free of rules and restrictions, where they could revel freely and create their own zoo-like utopia.

In his work, Baru often considers freedom and identity. In his home community, he learns with humility and respects the culture. In the rehearsal studio, he releases accumulated energy and reimagines tradition. He has gradually realized that utopia is not a distant place but something built day by day by the troupe within the realms of culture and artistic creation. Having been with the troupe for 20 years, he sought to create a piece that removes labels by fully embracing mischievousness, curiosity, and playfulness. Artistic director Ljuzem MADILJIN recalls continually asking him why he wanted to create this work before the concept had fully taken shape. She did not doubt him; she simply wanted clarity. In one of his early proposals, he placed an image of an elephant on the cover and explained, "We're watched just like animals." Ljuzem immediately recognized this as the genuine and irreplaceable starting point.

Every dancer carries an animal story within them

Tjimur Dance Theatre maintains a symbiotic relationship with its home Paiwan community of Timur in Sandimen Township, where the line between the traditional and the creative is naturally thin. Community members often feel that Tjimur's work is not traditional enough, but Ljuzem believes that the people the troupe hopes to speak to are those who do not yet understand Indigenous people or contemporary dance. Timur is the root, and the troupe’s art is the fruit they choose to bear. Baru has always been quite bold in this regard. The troupe is deeply involved in community affairs—singing traditional songs and dedicating themselves to teaching traditional dance to the younger generation. It is Timur's nourishment that gives them courage and allows them to assert who they are with confidence. During their tours to various schools in recent years, Baru has felt how open students are to this unfamiliar culture, showing him that a relaxed, humorous atmosphere is essential for understanding to unfold. It was within just such an atmosphere that X aiwan Utopia was born.

During the creative process, Baru asked his dancers, "What animal do you think you're like?" They responded with meerkats, eagles, silkworms, and tigers—each reflecting the dancer's inner state. The meerkat embodies insecurity, the eagle feels lonely despite being watched, and the silkworm hides memories of past bullying deep within. The dancers do not imitate these animals; instead, they reveal their inner selves through them, prompting viewers to reconsider how blurry the line is between the watcher outside the cage and the watched inside it.

As both artistic director and performer in this piece, Ljuzem continually asked Baru about the significance of various elements: the swing, wearing only half of the traditional Paiwan attire, and the meaning of her presence on stage. Regarding the last question, Baru explained that she represents a kind of spirit. Indeed, while screaming and laughing without inhibition on stage, she rediscovered her true self. The value of the piece lies in its sincere examination of culture and its ability to initiate dialogue through passion.

When CHOPIN and traditional Indigenous songs meet, freedom no longer moves in a straight line

The character “wan” (彎; "turn") in the Mandarin title for the piece "Paiwan" (排灣) is intentionally written without the water radical (氵), creating a moment of surprise or recognition. Baru believes that when something familiar is subtly altered, we naturally react. He applied this principle to the choreography and music, choosing a waltz by CHOPIN—symbolizing elegance, regularity, and the classical—that suddenly breaks apart. This blend of traditional Paiwan music and CHOPIN merges harmony and conflict to produce something both familiar and unfamiliar. And just when the audience believes they understand, Baru makes a turn.

For him, that turn—rooted in imagination—is not merely a moment in the dance but a reminder: the world can grow beyond established rules; art can step off the beaten path; and culture can extend itself through dialogue. X aiwan Utopia explores identity, observation, and freedom, inviting each viewer to find the answer that resonates with them.

  Program  

4/18(Sat)14:30, 4/19(Sun)14:30

►Tjimur Dance Theatre - X aiwan Utopia