Art and Resistance in Taiwan

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BBC Radio 4 - Art and Resistance in Taiwan

A journey into the Taipei underground art scene.

How a new generation of politically and socially engaged artists are exploring what it means to be Taiwanese today.

As the world’s eyes are on Taiwan for geo-political reasons and the island's sense of identity is under scrutiny, Taiwanese-American journalist, activist and DJ Brian Hioe (丘琦欣) takes us on a kaleidoscopic journey into the Taipei underground arts scene.

Day and night, we discover how a new generation of politically and socially engaged artists are exploring what it means to be Taiwanese today, and to live in a highly politicised society under a long-term existential threat from Mainland China. 

Taiwan is a cauldron of different cultural influences due to its complex history. There are 16 indigenous groups recognised today, Taiwan was briefly a Dutch colony, then part of China's Qing dynasty from 1683 to 1895, then a Japanese colony from 1895 to 1945. 

After WWII, the Chinese nationalists (ROC) retreated from Mainland China to Taiwan after losing to Mao Zedong's Communist army, vowing to return as the true representatives of China. Initially bankrolled by the USA, the exiled ROC authoritarian government imposed martial law on Taiwan for almost 40 years until democratisation began in the late 80s. But the island became an international outcast from the 1970s, when the UN switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing. Today only 14 or so countries have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China still views Taiwan as a break-away province and wants reunification. If Taiwan declares independence then China would declare war.

The artists we meet in Taipei were born and raised in a democracy and share very different attitudes to their parents who grew up under the former authoritarian regime often called "The White Terror".

Music:
PTSD by Astrojoke
Pswagi Temahahoi by Anchi Lin [Ciwas Tahos], remixed by An Chen
Betty Apple: I am in the Rear Room Ohne mich, IT-ME:TIME Travller Beta2021, Mirage City Under the Lake, The Rubber Mermaid 

Photo Credit: The Cube Forum Festival

Produced by Victoria Ferran
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4

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