Choreographer CHEN Po-Chieh is inspired by the philosophical concept of “Alteritas” to explore the phenomenon of “otherness” in contemporary society. Through the language of theater art, she reflects on the relationship between self and other, confronting mainstream culture’s prejudice and marginalization of differences. The work emphasizes that “the other” is not merely an external group but an identity shift that anyone can experience, flowing within blurred boundaries. It invites the audience to reconsider the profound notion that “our existence is mirrored and affirmed through the other.”

********

I have always felt that “the Other” exists within blurred boundaries.

People often think of “the Other” as someone distant, unfamiliar, or different from themselves. However, in everyday life, when we brush past strangers, glance at fleeting images in the news, or even look into our own reflection in the mirror, I realize that “the Other” exists right here among us — sometimes, it even is us.

The Other Among Us is my exploration of that concept. The forgotten faces, the overlooked figures, and the stories that emerge and vanish in the endless stream of information — they seem like a continuous process of collective forgetting. These faces and stories fade, becoming distant and blurred, prompting me to reflect on the gaps in how we perceive “the Other.”

In the pursuit of belonging, each individual tries to fit into a group. Yet, during this process, new boundaries are constantly drawn, defining who belongs and who doesn’t.

For me, this work is like a conversation—a dialogue without words. Through the language of theater art, I hope to invite the audience to experience the moment of “seeing.” I envision this work as a starting point, driving us forward to re-examine the blurred boundaries that have been overlooked.