This production thesis examines the costume design and production process for The Symbol of ∞, a theatrical work inspired by the magical realist classic One Hundred Years of Solitude. Through an exploration of the aesthetics of magical realism, the project investigates how literary concepts can be translated into visual language within the context of stage design.
The research begins with a detailed analysis of the script and characters, incorporating both the director’s and playwright’s approaches, while situating the work within the cultural backdrop of twentieth-century Taiwanese fashion. Drawing upon a foundational understanding of magical realism, the design process integrates this narrative framework into all phases of production. Through choices in silhouette, materials, color palette, and practical construction, the costumes aim to reflect the psychological states and life stories of each character.
By extending core concepts and conducting stylistic research, the design gradually constructs a symbolic visual system for the characters—one that captures the entanglements of familial relationships and the existential solitude and cyclical fate embedded in a fictionalized time and space. The resulting costume designs fuse Taiwanese sartorial elements with the layered ambiguity of magical realism, ultimately transforming abstract literary aesthetics into tangible theatrical expression.
Keywords: Magical Realism, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Theatrical Costume Design,Hand-Dyeing, Costume and Fashion in 20th-Century Taiwan