Historical fiction or “yan yi” in Chinese literary tradition is a literary narrative technique that combines anecdotes, legends, and imaginative plots to portray historical events that have already taken place, making them more exciting and vivid. However, when "history" becomes the central focus of a stage performance, does this reconstructed "reality" still possess the power to move people? Can it evoke the same profound collective memory and emotional experience as before? "History on Stage" takes "reenactment" as its core curatorial concept, combining the spirit of "Crafting Tradition" from the digital museum. It envisions Seden Glove Puppetry Foundation, the first non-governmental organization in Taiwan dedicated to promoting traditional glove puppetry, as a theatrical production. The "characters" in this “play” are the members who worked behind the scenes, being involved in the organization's operations, and the puppet masters who have personally experienced the golden age of Taiwanese puppetry. They will showcase the development of the foundation over the past thirty years and recreate the glory of classical glove puppetry from the past.
This online exhibition is a milestone achievement of this project. It comprises oral interviews with puppet masters and Seden Foundation members, as well as chronological organization of historical footage from the foundation. The exhibition is divided into three main themes:
1. The Actors:
Drawing inspiration from Chinese opera, this section is divided into "Puppeteers in the Spotlight" and the “Unsung Heroes Behind the Scenes” providing in-depth introductions to the members of the Seden Glove Puppetry Theater, puppetry artists who have collaborated with Seden in the past, and key figures who have played significant roles in ensuring the long-term operation of Seden.
2. The Script:
If we consider the development and history of Seden as a play, the inspiration behind this script lies in the collective mission of those involved in Seden to preserve and pass on classical glove puppetry. The major events that have occurred throughout the foundation's history form the basic plotline of this play. The “Playwriting Philosophy” introduces Seden’s founding purpose and mission. The “Plot Synopsis” lists the defining moments of Seden’s development, helping guests gain initial understanding of the foundation.
3. The Performance:
This section is divided into several “acts” as in a play, introducing the beginnings of Seden (Humble Beginnings) and its long-standing dedication to the preservation of cultural heritage through four main acts, which focuses on restoring puppetry relics (Act 1: A Meeting with Puppets), educational promotion (Act 2: Continuing a Legacy), performance skills (Act 3: The Masters in Action), and research publication (Act 4: History in the Making).