Artist Cheng Tsung Feng has created a monumental outdoor installation that breathes new life into Taiwan's fading tradition of bamboo opera stages. The ambitious project, titled "Theater," stands prominently on the grounds of the historic Wenwu Temple in Lukang, Changhua, where it serves as both an artistic statement and a cultural revival effort. The installation reconstructs the once-prevalent architectural form that was central to Taiwan's temple festivals and communal celebrations but has largely disappeared as times have changed.

The 117-square-meter structure, completed in 2025, represents Feng's ongoing commitment to preserving and reinterpreting traditional crafts and cultural memories through contemporary art. Working with design team member Hong Lin Liu and structural engineer Jianquan Engineering Consulting Co., the artist meticulously constructed the stage using thousands of bamboo poles arranged in both vertical and horizontal patterns. The installation creates a structure that is simultaneously rigorous in its construction and transparent in its visual impact, allowing visitors to experience the geometric beauty of traditional bamboo architecture.

The artistic approach emphasizes the natural qualities of bamboo while creating a sense of rhythm and order through intersecting lengths of the material. Slender split bamboo strips soften the edges of the structure, outlining elegant arcs across both the façade and floor plan of the stage. Visitors can ascend bamboo stairways that lead onto the broad, flat platform, where they become fully enveloped by the geometric grid of bamboo. This immersive experience invites the audience to rediscover the spatial qualities of traditional bamboo architecture through the sensations of touch, sight, and movement.

The installation transforms dramatically between day and night, serving different functions for the community. During daylight hours, the stage becomes a welcoming space for rest, gathering, and playful exploration by visitors and locals alike. As darkness falls, the structure is illuminated by bright festival lights, transforming into a ceremonial hall filled with grandeur that recalls the dazzling atmosphere of opera performances from bygone times. This dual functionality makes it both a place to watch performances and a stage where anyone can become a performer.

The historic Wenwu Temple, which has stood for over two centuries, provides a meaningful backdrop for this contemporary interpretation of traditional architecture. The temple's long history adds depth to Feng's artistic statement about cultural continuity and change. The lighting design by Oude Light and construction by Chuan-sheng Bamboo Construction demonstrate the collaborative effort required to bring this vision to life, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic vision.

The installation has drawn countless visitors during festival periods, creating a dynamic space where the boundaries between performance and daily life blur. Participants continuously move between being audience members and performers, sometimes watching others and sometimes taking center stage themselves. This fluid interaction embodies the cyclical nature of theater as a mirror of life itself, creating a living laboratory for cultural expression and community engagement.

Feng's work succeeds not only in reconstructing a fading cultural memory but also in offering a vibrant, communal space where tradition is actively reimagined and experienced anew. The project demonstrates how contemporary art can serve as a bridge between past and present, ensuring that important cultural practices remain relevant for new generations. Through this ambitious installation, the artist has created a space where Taiwan's rich cultural heritage continues to live and evolve in the modern world.