Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist 

Jing-Mu KUO Guzheng Recital, starting with guzheng music, reexamines the relationship between the musician, the body, and sound. Through precise communication with multiple composers in the creation of new works, it presents a clear program direction, with dialogues and resonances connecting different pieces through carefully calibrated theatrical methods. The guzheng is more than just a musical instrument; it serves as a medium for reflection on the self and the world, guiding audiences through the musician’s life journey. KUO Jin-Mu uses dramatic techniques to build layered sonic textures, sustaining the tension. This modern take on an instrumental recital opens new possibilities for blending traditional instruments with theatrical performance. (Commentator / CHANG Yin-Fang)

Artwork Introduction  

This series originates from questions about self-identity following the 2020 production New Horizons of the Zheng. In this context, the “waterfall" serves as the central metaphor: the water column, perceived as a whole in the present moment, is essentially the result of experiences flowing in and accumulating from all directions. In 2025, Waterfall II builds on the idea introduced in Waterfall I in 2023, emphasizing the creative perspectives of women composers. It explores how diverse life experiences correspond to the concept of the “human” through compositional structure, use of sound, sense of time, and musical storytelling. The entire concert is envisioned as a continuous sonic journey. Through transitions between pieces, silent shifts, physical movements, and symbolic acts, it creates a complete trajectory from “bodily exploration” to self-creation and reversal.

About the Artist 

Jing-Mu KUO, born in Yilan in 1986, is a guzheng performer, composer, and curator. He graduated from the National Taiwan University of Arts and now teaches at several universities. He also leads the creative chamber ensemble “3peoplemusic” and is a member of C-Camerata Taipei. KUO dedicates himself to developing and performing contemporary guzheng music, emphasizing sonic structures, embodied expression, and theatrical language, and has premiered more than a hundred works. Since 2017, he has promoted a series of concerts featuring commissioned pieces, shaping the development of modern guzheng music. His works have won numerous national and international awards, and he participates in cross-disciplinary projects and international performances.

Production Team

Curator & Solo Artist｜Jing-Mu Kuo

Composers｜Chih-Liang Lin, Kuei-Ju Lin, Jing-Mu Kuo, Ling-Hsuan Huang, Yu-Chun Chien

Movement Performer｜I-Tung Pan

Video Realization｜Rui-Ching Lin

Sound Engineering｜Ting-Yun Wang, Chun-Hsiang Wang

Graphic Design｜8 O’design

Video Documentation｜Leji Audiovisual Studio

Photography (Behind the Scenes)｜Yun-Tzu Chiu

Administration｜Yi-Ting Chen

Production Assistants｜Hsiao-Ya Lin, Kuan-Chun Lin, Hsin-Ya Chiang