Fringe Focus Taiwan is a program that shines a spotlight on the innovative art coming out of one of Asia’s most creatively inspired centres as part of the ongoing partnership between Melbourne Fringe and Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture. In 2024, Fringe Focus Taiwan will explore the boundaries of gender and the changing shape of feminism at the intersection of private and public spaces.

Chou Kuan-Jou is an artist based in Taiwan. As a multi-dimensional performing energy and sensitivity carrier, she is a theater performer, choreographer, action designer, and dance instructor. In recent years, she has devoted herself to the artistic practice of the “Lust Body” employing the fluidity of sexuality as a strategy to loosen boundaries. Through tactile perception, she expands into a dance-based dialogical space, concentrating on the manifestation of bodily politics. Her practical methods include but are not limited to body practices, workshops, and performances.

She has been invited to international events such as CND Camping 2019, Tanzmesse 2022, Tjimur Arts Festival Residency 2022, and da:ns lab 2023 at Dance Nucleus. In 2021, she cocreated the “Nyu Shu Movement” project with artist Chen Yi-Chin. This project was showcased at the SEA: Residency in the CLOUD in Taiwan, Loei Art Festival in Thailand, and the BUoY Art Festival in Tokyo. In 2022, her work “TOMATO” was selected for the Taiwan Season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, receiving a five-star review and several awards, including The Bobby Award.

A Hong Kong native living in Taiwan, NG Chi Wai graduated from the Department of Drama at Taipei National University of the Arts, majoring in acting with a passion for dance. NG transitioned from drama to dance and is now actively pursuing a career in film and television. NG participated in the following works: “Dormitory Room No.: 8305” (Fringe Festival 2020), “Imperfect Performance” (Nuit Blanche 2020), “Lost People” (Feature Film 2020).

 Zito Tseng is a queer creator from a biomedical academic background. Z’s works focus on constructing space for queer imagination about sexuality and norms. Through z’s artistic practice, z attempts to question the essence of sex beyond recreation and pleasure. Through organizing participatory workshops, z would like to explore various spectrums of the body. Z is the co-founder of NakedWood, ZiCaHol, and PanSex, organizations promoting and discussing sexuality, queerness, boundary, and body positivity.

Zito Tseng received z’s master’s degree in genetics from Yale University. After graduation, z has had two solo exhibitions and participated in multiple group exhibitions, including the Ketchup Online Festival (Taiwan), HIVE03 (France), Queer Nations (Australia), Repair (France), and YO’HOOD (China). Z also curated Sx-Fi: The Paint Is Wet (Taiwan), exhibiting speculative works of 8 emerging international artists.

Zito performed in TOMATO at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022, and z also participated in the opening performances of Taipei Biennial 2018 (Taiwan) and Taiwan Biennial 2020 (Taiwan). Z won multiple international photography awards, including International Photography Award (USA) and Prix de la Photographie (France). Z also did artist residencies at Domaine de Boisbuchet (France) and thecamp (France).

LO Yu-Chen graduated from the Department of Theater Design, National Taipei University of the Arts. His notable works include: Video Design and Stage Manager for “Pessimistic Duet” by Arsonist Theater Company (2019) ;Video Operator for “There is a Hollywood in Taiwan” by Madness Musical (2020); Video Operator for “Frozen Peony II: Brilliant Blossoms” by the Taiwan Music Ensemble (2021); Stage Manager and Technical Operator for “The Old House Project” by the Flying Group Theater Company (2021); Technical Director for “The Night Yukihime Left” by Arsonist Theater Company (2021); Video Documentation and Design for “2070” workshop by Arsonist Theater Company in Hsinchu (2021).

YANG Yu-Chieh is currently working as a freelance theater professional, specializing in lighting design and lighting technician roles. Most of her lighting design work focuses on dance and drama. During her studies, she also took on roles such as stage manager, video, and sound operator.

Some of her notable works include: Lighting Design for “Dear Frustration 2” at the 2020 Encounter Dance Festival, Lighting Design for “Xinying, Almost There 2” at the Xinying Arts Festival, Lighting Design for the “Sublimation Night of Xu Zhimo” tour by the Boisterous Music Ensemble, Technical Support for “2057: Rehearsing Ways of Living – Exercises for Survival in 35 Years” at the 2022 TIFA.