Cloud Gate Theater

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is an important living cultural asset of Taiwan. Lin Hwai-min founded the company in 1973, and with its unique dance language and repertoire, it has become a regular guest at international arts festivals, witnessing the trajectory of Taiwan's social and historical development. From Cloud Gate's initial dances to the completion of the Cloud Gate Theater,经过时代淬炼, it has accumulated various ways of experiencing Cloud Gate, creating "Cloud Gate for Everyone." For 52 years, Cloud Gate has forged different relationships with society, ecology, and the world. In 2015, the Cloud Gate Theater, built with NT$700 million in self-raised funds, was completed and has since been rooted in Tamsui. Cloud Gate conducts its daily creative work within the 1.5-hectare park, welcoming residents and tourists, showcasing Cloud Gate's history and the historical significance of the former "Central Broadcasting System Tamsui Station." It regularly stages internationally renowned Cloud Gate performances, encourages new creations, and introduces domestic and international artworks, serving as Cloud Gate's long-term creative base and a stage for many artists. 1. The Predecessor of Cloud Gate Theater: The History and Transformation of a Radio Station The Central Broadcasting System Tamsui Station was established in 1978, with its main mission to broadcast messages of Taiwan's economic prosperity, democratic progress, and freedom overseas. At the time, the station was subordinate to the Ministry of National Defense and named the "Central Broadcasting System Fifth Transmitting Base." With the changes of the times, the mission of the Tamsui Station gradually faded, and it progressively became an idle space. Its underlying historical memories and former role add unique cultural significance. 2. The Completion of Cloud Gate Theater In 2008, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's tin-roofed rehearsal space in Bali accidentally caught fire, destroying years of hard work. With support from all sectors of society, the Cloud Gate Foundation collaborated with the Taipei County (now New Taipei City) Government through the "Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects," choosing this site for the Cloud Gate Theater, which was completed and opened in 2015. This theater is not only Taiwan's first arts park built with private donations but also a green space that blends old and new. The theater is adjacent to the Hobe Fort, built after the Sino-French War in 1886, and the Tamsui Golf Course, which has over a hundred years of history. 3. Architectural Design of Cloud Gate Theater Designed by architect Huang Sheng-yuan, the Cloud Gate Theater is more than just a building; it considers how to achieve a symbiotic balance between people, nature, and architecture. The theater is situated in a hollow behind the original station buildings, fully preserving their structure and appearance. The bronze-colored roof resembles floating clouds, while the dark green steel structure and light green energy-saving glass curtain wall collectively echo the surrounding mountain and forest scenery. The extended eaves design and the introduction of ample natural light fill the building, inside and out, with a natural, flowing ambiance. The original open space was designed as a shared outdoor performance and leisure area for the community, enabling the theater to connect with the community. The architectural complex within the park includes a medium-sized theater with 400 seats, two flexible small theaters, and an outdoor lawn stage that can accommodate over a thousand people. 4. The Theater as a Link Between Art and Community The Cloud Gate Theater serves as an important base for Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's creation and rehearsal. Through regular domestic and international art performances, outdoor shows, community activities, and arts promotion programs, the Cloud Gate Theater connects cities and villages, art and life, making this artistic oasis a cultural asset shared by all.