Mourning a Silent Master-In Memory of Marcel Marceau

Marceau's visit in 1982 and the combination of superficial humor and deeper sentimentality of his trademark character Bip not only greatly influenced the style and development of Taiwanese theater, but also served to open the doors to the art of mime here. Famed Taiwanese theatrical performer Chin Shih-chieh was even once a student of the master.

Marceau's influence was immeasurable. In 1986 French president Francois Mitterand conferred upon him one of the nation's highest honors, the title of Officier de la Legion d'honneur (Officer of the Legion of Honor), and Marceau's famous routine "Walking against the Wind" was the inspiration for Michael Jackson's trademark "moonwalk" dance move.

Marcel Marceau passed away on September 22, 2007, and the world was swept by waves of remembrance. Jean Cocteau, a fellow French mime, described Marceau as being a mime artist who could transcend the barriers of language and whose performances created a new kind of silence.

While Marceau and Bip have departed this world, his drive and passion for the arts remain an inspiration for me, especially since I had the honor of photographing the master myself. His image will live forever in the hearts of the public, set against the inky black backdrop of his stage.

In this performance, the announcer holds up a placard with the word "angel" on it, then slowly turns around, transforming into a demon by the time he faces the audience again! In a single simple turn, heaven and hell, gods and demons cross paths. This is the true power of a master at work!

In this performance, the announcer holds up a placard with the word "angel" on it, then slowly turns around, transforming into a demon by the time he faces the audience again! In a single simple turn, heaven and hell, gods and demons cross paths. This is the true power of a master at work!

In this performance, the announcer holds up a placard with the word "angel" on it, then slowly turns around, transforming into a demon by the time he faces the audience again! In a single simple turn, heaven and hell, gods and demons cross paths. This is the true power of a master at work!