Taiwanese artist Cheng Tsung Feng has constructed an innovative bamboo theater installation in Shima Park, located in Xiaobantian, Nantou, that brings new life to Taiwan's disappearing tradition of temporary bamboo theaters. The contemporary art piece reinterprets the traditional bamboo theater structures that were once common features at temple festivals and community celebrations throughout Taiwan, serving as important cultural gathering points that combined craftsmanship, performance, and social interaction.
Historically, these temporary bamboo theaters were constructed using traditional scaffolding techniques and played a vital role in Taiwanese cultural life. However, such structures have largely vanished from the modern landscape, replaced by contemporary frameworks and standardized building materials. Feng's project seeks to bridge this gap between past and present by revisiting this architectural typology through the lens of modern stage design.
The installation's most striking feature is its radial arrangement of bamboo poles of varying lengths that emerge from the central rear portion of the stage. These poles intersect and fan outward in a dramatic pattern, creating an open semicircular backdrop that serves as the theater's defining visual element. The structure combines both thick and slender bamboo members that are interwoven and secured with rope, forming a distinctive net-like framework that recalls traditional scaffolding systems while maintaining clear structural integrity and visual rhythm.
The woven density of the rear wall serves multiple purposes, providing both structural support and rich texture that enhances the depth and atmospheric quality of the performance space. At the front of the platform, bamboo poles are arranged in a linear formation and complemented by strips of white tape that extend outward across the ground. This graphic treatment continues the stage's radiating geometry, creating a visual integration between the installation and its surrounding park environment.
Feng's construction approach combines traditional materials and methods with contemporary building techniques. The theater employs bamboo, wood, metal, rope, and tape in its construction, demonstrating how historical craftsmanship can be adapted for modern contexts. The rope bindings specifically recall the structural logic of traditional bamboo scaffolding systems, while the overall design language speaks to contemporary stage-building practices.
Beyond its symbolic significance as an art installation, the Bamboo Theater functions as an active public space that serves the local community. It accommodates various community performances, cultural events, and everyday recreational activities, while also providing seating and shade for park visitors. This dual function ensures that the installation remains relevant and useful to the public while honoring its cultural heritage.
Through this project, artist Cheng Tsung Feng successfully demonstrates how traditional building culture can adapt to contemporary contexts without losing its essential character. The installation preserves cultural continuity while allowing for creative reinterpretation, showing that vernacular construction methods can coexist with modern materials and spatial design concepts. The Bamboo Theater stands as both an artistic achievement and a cultural bridge, connecting Taiwan's rich performance traditions with present-day community needs and artistic expression.
