In partnership with Taiwan's National Science Council, we are supporting a 3-year academic link between UCC and TNUA. The objectives of the link include the establishment of an active professional relationship between the two institutions, staff development in new technologies, the development of relationships with contemporary digital arts practitioners and the establishment of a graduate programme in Dance and Technology at TNUA.

The first stage was a four-day introductory workshop in dance and technology conducted by Dr Sarah Rubidge (UCC) from 16-20 February 2003 for members of staff, graduate students and undergraduate students at TNUA. The workshop introduced participants to the concept and familiarised them with simple uses of computer technology in the context of dance performance. The combination of hands-on experience with selected computer programmes and focussed discussion was designed to achieve both these goals.

This constituted the first visit to TNUA from UCC.  As an introduction it served its purpose, and gave many of the participants in the workshop a clearer idea of what use new technologies could be put to in performance.  Several of the participants were intrigued by the possibilities it offered, some from a creative perspective, others from a more conventional academic perspective, e.g. its use as a means of documenting and analysing performance.  Further visits are planned from TNUA to UCC (November 2003) and from UCC to TNUA (February 2004).

In a parallel project, a similar academic link has been set up for a Performance and Technology workshop in Korea.

For more information about this project please contact British Council in Taipei.