EVENTS
CROSSING THE SEA
Crossing the Sea is an innovative theatrical production directed by Shuwen Tan, blending Asian folklore, queer culture, and absurd drag performance. The piece is inspired by the traditional Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea myth and explores the seven emotions of humanity, presenting iconic "immortal" characters from various cultural backgrounds—such as Ganesha, Vishnu, Brahma, and Sun Wukong—in a fresh and transformative way. Through absurd, humorous, and high-energy scenes, the characters not only face "sea-bound trials" but also undergo emotional conflicts and identity distortions, showcasing their humanity and complexity. In this work, I blur the lines between myth and daily life, using exaggerated performance, dance, and stage design to delve into themes of gender fluidity, emotional relationships, and cultural symbolism. The characters' transformations and clashes reflect their emotional journeys within the story while echoing my deeper exploration of identity, emotion, and physicality in performance art. Crossing the Sea is not only a reimagining of traditional mythology but also a bold challenge to modernity, gender, and cultural identity. It reveals how myth and human nature intersect and collide within a contemporary context.
GOLDEN PROSTITUTE:
IN THE OFFICE
28.11.2024 @Centre 151
Crossing the Sea is an innovative theatrical production directed by Shuwen Tan, blending Asian folklore, queer culture, and absurd drag performance. The piece is inspired by the traditional Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea myth and explores the seven emotions of humanity, presenting iconic "immortal" characters from various cultural backgrounds—such as Ganesha, Vishnu, Brahma, and Sun Wukong—in a fresh and transformative way. Through absurd, humorous, and high-energy scenes, the characters not only face "sea-bound trials" but also undergo emotional conflicts and identity distortions, showcasing their humanity and complexity. In this work, I blur the lines between myth and daily life, using exaggerated performance, dance, and stage design to delve into themes of gender fluidity, emotional relationships, and cultural symbolism. The characters' transformations and clashes reflect their emotional journeys within the story while echoing my deeper exploration of identity, emotion, and physicality in performance art. Crossing the Sea is not only a reimagining of traditional mythology but also a bold challenge to modernity, gender, and cultural identity. It reveals how myth and human nature intersect and collide within a contemporary context.
DIRECTED BY SHUWENT
PRODUCTION SHERR (Yixue Gao)
SUPPORTED BY CENTRE 151
LIGHTING SUPPORT ENZO & YUSEN FANG
COSTUME 0223
FOOTWEAR UNTITLAB
PHOTO BY RUBY & BUGAOMING
STARRING
AMBER HURT, HUMAN, QINGQING, SCAR, SHUWENT
PRODUCTION SHERR (Yixue Gao)
SUPPORTED BY CENTRE 151
LIGHTING SUPPORT ENZO & YUSEN FANG
COSTUME 0223
FOOTWEAR UNTITLAB
PHOTO BY RUBY & BUGAOMING
STARRING
AMBER HURT, HUMAN, QINGQING, SCAR, SHUWENT
GOLDEN PROSTITUTE:
IN THE OFFICE
8.23.2024 @groundlessfactory
In the Office tells the story of a newcomer who joins GOLDEn PROSTITUTE Company and encounters the absurdity of the company’s deceptive practices during a live broadcast. After witnessing a series of outrageous events, including senior colleagues eating shit and a coworker jumping from a building, the protagonist decides to embrace a submissive role. In this performance, Pharos explores the limitless possibilities of UNDERGOUND theater and pushes these boundaries to the extreme.
Pharos presents its most complete theatrical production to date, inspired by contemporary Chinese workplace imagery and pop culture, featuring a 40-minute performance that integrates choreography and drama, infused with elements of dark humoUr, absurdity, and comedy.
Directed and script written by ShuwenT
Production SIRU
Supported by Groundless Factory
Photo and video by IAO Studio
Poster designed by Jayjay444
LIGHTING ASSISTANT
DRIN ,YUANXI
Starring
8LACKB,Crystal Luo,Human,Evy,Kandy,Zhuohe,LAMIA,WAIWAI,BANANA,
JOJOCATSEYE,YUE’LIANG
PHAROS VOL.5
THE DREAM OF MUTE
7.19.2024 @groundlessfactory
THE DREAM OF MUTE
7.19.2024 @groundlessfactory
“How can we sometimes be sure we are not dreaming? ”
Is it similar to memory, where the boundaries can be altered or blurred? Under the facade of order, fearful, angry, and helpless events continue to unfold. What we once believed has turned into a daydream—are those beautiful dreams also manipulated and disciplined? Fear, anger, and helplessness reflect our genuine response to the sense of disorder in reality.
DIRECTED BY CRYSTAL LUO
PRODUCTION XIECHAI
SUPPORTED BY GROUNDLESS FACTORY
VISUAL BY DRIN
COSTUME SUPERVISOR: HUMAN
REHERSAL DIRECTOR LAMIA
POSTER DESIGNED BY JAYJAY444
VIDEO AND PHOTO BY IAO STUDIO
STARRING
CUPIDMOMO,SHUWEN,8LACK,HUMAM,ZHUOHE,yuanxi,yuanqi
GOLDEN PROSTITUTE:
BETEL NUT GURLS
5.1.2024 @groundlessfactory
BETEL NUT GURLS
5.1.2024 @groundlessfactory
Admid the hustle and bustle of the city, a group of mysterious “Betel Nut Beauties” emerge on stage, their alluring postures, flamboyant attire, and distinctive accents making them a striking presence. With vibrant betel nut boxes in hand, they skillfully prepare the sweet, aromatic betel nuts for their customers, all while playfully bantering and gossiping about their nocturnal escapades. They become a unique and captivating spectacle on the stage.
Following the success of “Seven Fairies Descend to the Mortal Realm” at the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Festival, the collective Surrounding Temple is set to present an entirely original story. In our creative process, Taiwanese pop culture has always been a significant source of inspiration. From Chen Jingbin’s photography to Lee Kang-sheng’s cinematic works, the image of the “Betel Nut Beauty” has played an important role, continually fascinating and captivating us.
DIRECTED BY 8LACKB
SCRIPT WRITTEN BY 8LACKB AND SHUWENt
PRODUCTION CHUANK
SUPPORTED BY GROUNDLESS FACTORY
VIDEO BY IAO STUDIO
COSTUME SPONSORED BY RUIBUILT
POSTER DESIGNED BY JAYJAY444
MUSIC PRODUCED BY MOONFIVEEEEE
CHOREOGRAPHED BY LAMIA
FLORAL DESIGNED BY EVY
MEDIA COORDINATor: HUMAN,SHUWEN
STARRING
CUPIDMOMO,LAMIA,CRYSTAL LUO,ZHUOHE,KANDY,JOJOCATSEYE,WAIWAI,EVY,BANANA,8LACKB
GOLDEN PROSTITUTE:
SEVEN FAIRIES
1.27.2024 @groundlessfactory
SEVEN FAIRIES
1.27.2024 @groundlessfactory
According to legend, on the Queen Mother of the West’s birthday each year, a grand banquet is held in the Heavenly Court, with peaches as the main delicacy, to feast all the immortals. Deities from all realms gather together. How could the Seven Fairies, with their boundless joy, be absent from such a celebration?
Yet, on this day, the Fairy in Purple secretly plots an escape for the one she loves. But why did the Seven Fairies choose to descend to the mortal world?
We endlessly discuss this timeless and unanswered question—love. In a society that seems to have lost the ability to love, love has increasingly become a matter of taking. After all, love cannot simply happen through effort; it cannot be created, sought, compared, or promised. We are left to indulge in the fleeting pleasures of romantic desire.
So, in this story, we can’t help but wonder—was the fairy who chose to face the pain of love really just love-struck and naive?
DIRECTED BY 8LACKB
SCRIPT WRITTEN BY 8LACKB AND SHUWENT
PRODUCTION CHUANK
SUPPORTED BY GROUNDLESS FACTORY
VIDEO BY IAO STUDIO
COSTUME JUJI
POSTER DESIGNED BY JAYJAY444
FLORAL DESIGNED BY EVY
MEDIA COORDINATor: HUMAN,SHUWEN
STARRING
CUPIDMOMO,LAMIA,CRYSTAL LUO,ZHUOHE,KANDY,JOJOCATSEYE,WAIWAI,EVY,BANANA,8LACKB
PHAROS VOL.4
TO THE MOUNTAIN OF KNIEVES
9.1.2023 @groundlessfactory
TO THE MOUNTAIN OF KNIEVES
9.1.2023 @groundlessfactory
The idiom “The Mountain of Knives and the Sea of Fire” refers to a place of extreme danger, often symbolizing situations where hidden perils lurk. It conveys the idea of facing something perilous or highly difficult. The title To The Mountain of Knives is drawn from this idiom, and introduces four characters, inspired by the film Stalker: a murderer, a lover, a hoarder, and an office worker.
Why must we ascend the mountain of knives? Because our obsessions drive us, causing both distress and the will to continue living. These four individuals, each gripped by their own obsession, embark on a journey to this unpredictable and sacred place in search of answers. I believe that throughout history, people have persistently asked and sought answers to the same questions about obsession, replaying the same guessing game in cycles—where the end is merely the beginning.
DIRECTED BY SHUWENT
PRODUCTION PHAROS
SUPPORTED BY GROUNDLESS FACTORY
COSTUME SPONSORED BY 0223
VIDEO: IAO STUDIO
POSTER DESIGNED BY JAYJAY444
STARRING
CRYSTAL LUO,SHUWEN,8LACKB,HUMAN
GOLDEN PROSTITUTE:
THE POWER OF ELEGANT
7.22.2023 @zhaodaiclub
The show was inspired by the Pleiadian Officers, characters from Journey to the West, who are responsible for the daily rising of the sun and the setting of the moon, ensuring that life stays on course. From the past to the present, much has changed—the world now is not as it once was. Yet, the rivers and mountains remain unchanged. Throughout time, there is always an image that captures beauty, as people pursue elegance in an eternal quest. This pursuit of aesthetic perfection, like a beacon in the vast sea, has become a universally recognised symbol of confidence and strength.
Prensented by PHAROS
Production CHUANK
Supported by ZHAODAI
FLORIA Work by Evy
photo by juji
Starring
Shuwen,Human,crystal,8lackb,evy
PHAROS VOL.3
M R I
7.7.2023@groundlessfactory
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the only one visible to the naked eye. But what do you see on your skin? It’s the faint glow of what remains—bluish-black undertones, a pattern of brown, a tear-shaped birthmark, and a faint scar. There’s also the subtle trace of a strawberry mark. These quiet imprints, tucked away in the corners of your skin, are constant reminders of where you come from, where you’re headed, and who you are. As you lie in bed, close your eyes, and reflect on recent events, these marks tell their story.
directed by human
production pharos
supported by groundlessfactory
photo juji
starring
crystal luo,shuwen,human,8lackb,
cupidmomo,beautyhoe,jojocatseye,carpo
PHAROS VOL.2
UNDERNEATH THE WATERFALL
5.1.2023 @groundlessfactory
Underneath the Waterfall is a story about “abundance” and marks the first time a drag performance has been introduced to the Chinese queer scene. “My heart is the prairie, and the prairie is beside me.” Abundance may seem like the false joy Truman experiences in his artificial world, but it is, in fact, a reminder.
When you cannot change the limitations and scrutiny of your surroundings, do not forget to look up at the sky. The desire for freedom should never strip us of our innate instinct and wildness. Just as captive animals remain the only trace of their original nature, they are living evidence of the vast grasslands in their hearts, even if they may never return to that wilderness. When you look up and see the endless stars, you dream of utopia, and in that moment—you are there.
Directed by 8lackb
production pharos
supported by groundless factory
costume shuting qiu
photo juji
starring
8lackb,crystal luo,shuwen,human,yihao,osmanthusma,lamia
PHAROS VOL.1
AMPHIBIAN
3.18.2023 @groundlessfactory
Amphibian the concept was inspired by Chinese photographer Shuwen. In an environment shaped by traditional binary gender identities, there is a strong desire to mold a cloned, featureless, and subservient gender group into society’s ideal of what is considered “normal”—a qualified “successful offspring” or an exemplary “heir.”
However, what remains unseen is that, in order to escape the power gaze of the political environment, the underground scene has become the freest space for the queer community. It is a refuge for marginalized souls, excluded by mainstream culture, where they release their inner selves at night and yearn for the eternal preservation of their identities. Yet, when the sun rises, they must conceal their pride once again and face the world they live in.
Presented by pharos
production pharos
supported by groundless factory
photo juji
starring
shuwen,human,crystal luo,8lackb
lamia,osmanthusma
@pharosuk 2025