"Birds Are Real, Ambushed from Ten Directions: Music, Light, and Shadow Puppetry" is a dynamic twenty-minute performance that seamlessly integrates live percussion, piano, and shadow puppetry. Drawing inspirations from the satirical conspiracy theory, "Birds Aren't Real," in which birds are believed to be government drones spying on people, and from the allegory "Ambush from Ten Directions," a traditional Chinese pipa piece about an ancient war, this work delves into modern digital-era cognitive warfare, in which we are ambushed not by battle weapons but by fake news from many directions. This work highlights the intricate interplay between reality and fiction, underscoring the urgency of the threat the misinformation we encounter daily poses.

As the audience enters the space, nature's symphony plays, echoing with bird calls and the gentle rustle of leaves beneath their feet. Three actors holding "Birds Aren't Real" signs challenge our daily reality. Bathed in the soft glow of a pianist's flashlight, a puppet undergoes a wondrous metamorphosis, emerging as a phantom bird that beckons us to ponder the essence of perception and truth.

As the music progresses, we are reminded of the harmonious coexistence of humans and birds; we paint the sky with dreams woven from the fabric of fairy tales. However, as modernity encroaches, the pursuit of these ethereal creatures becomes increasingly elusive amidst the chaos of urban sprawl. Finally, with the magic touch of the puppet master's hands, amidst the tranquility of night's embrace, the haunting melody of migrating birds whispers to us, recalling us to nature's enduring mystery and the very real existence of birds. This guides us toward the reality of nature and away from the artificially constructed “alternate truths” with which we are bombarded daily.  

In this work, the interaction between shadow puppetry and live musicians metaphorically conveys subtleties through light and shadow, presenting a variety of perspectives on stage. Their mutual engagement elevates the overall aesthetic, enriching the audience's immersion in the interplay of reality and fiction.

I am grateful for the bird song files provided by Cin-Ty Lee, a bird specialist and Professor of Geology, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Rice University— paying homage to Messiaen and Cin-Ty for their shared love of the birds.

"Birds Are Real, Ambushed from Ten Directions: Music, Light, and Shadow Puppetry,” written in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Shepherd School of Music, is partially funded by the Houston Arts Alliance and Taiwan Academy.

This work can be performed as a concert version without the visuals and tape.

〈鳥兒是真的；十面埋伏：音樂、光影與皮影戲〉 是一場完美融合打擊樂、鋼琴和皮影表演的二十分鐘曲子。

近年網路興起一種陰謀論「鳥兒不是真的」，聲稱鳥類其實是政府用來監視民眾的無人機。如此荒謬的現象，觸發了我的反思：在資訊強勁環繞的當代，假資訊乘勢「十面埋伏」，人們該如何自處？如何突破偽資訊所帶來的危機？因而本曲的創作，除了凸顯現實與虛構之間的錯綜複雜，強調錯誤訊息所帶來的威脅，更以「鳥兒是真的」，反諷假訊息的散布者與隨之起舞的盲從者，並藉由光影、皮偶和悅耳的鳥鳴，來喚起我們對於自然原始真摯的情感，燃起重新追尋與自然和諧共處的願景、信心。

作品中，觀眾踏進鋪滿樹葉的場地，窸窣聲響起，鳥鳴聲也在周圍迴盪著。三位演員手持「鳥兒不是真的」的牌子，挑戰人們對現實的認知。接著，鋼琴家用手電筒的光線讓皮偶化為幻影鳥，引導人們思考感知與真相的本質。

隨著音樂和光影交織，一個如童話般的夢境展開，喚起人們與鳥類和諧相處的記憶。然而，現代社會的快速發展讓這樣的情景愈加難以實現。最終，在寧靜的夜晚，皮影大師的魔法讓離去的鳥兒再次回到耳邊，用輕柔的歌聲提醒我們：自然的持久與「鳥兒是真的」的真諦。 

這部作品透過光影表現和現場音樂家的互動，寓意著光與影的微妙，展現了舞台上多重層次的視覺和聽覺享受，提升了整體美感，豐富了觀眾的沉浸感。

〈鳥兒是真的〉是為慶祝 Shepherd School of Music 音樂學院 50週年而編寫的作品，部分資金由 Houston Arts Alliance 提供支持，鳥鳴音檔則是由萊斯大學地質學、地球、環境和行星科學教授，同時也是一位鳥類專家的李忻地先生提供。〈鳥兒是真的〉 這首曲子在這兒向 Messiaen 、李忻地先生致敬，感謝他們共同對鳥類的熱愛！