This quarter’s events at the National Chiang
Kai-Shek Cultural Center
By Meng-Yu Lai and Pen Ting Huang, Programming & Marketing Department, National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center, Taipei

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan 35th Anniversary Programmes
Moon Water
26-30 Sep 08
(29-30 Sep featuring live performances of the internationally renowned cellist Mischa Maisky)

Topped the list of best dances in 2003, selected by the chief critic Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times, Moon Water has been presented by festivals and venues all over the world, receiving rave acclaims since its premiere in 1998.

Taking off from a famous Buddhist proverb, “flowers in a mirror and moon on the water are both illusory,” Lin Hwai-min transforms Tai Chi Tao Yin into an original and expressive dance vocabulary. Set to a selection of J. S. Bach’s Suites for Solo Cello, recorded by Russian cellist Mischa Maisky, Moon Water features a simple stage set with mirrors hung in mid air, reflecting a watery stage and soaked dancing bodies in slow motion towards the end.
Moon Water performances are made possible with the support of Council for Cultural Affairs, Taiwan, National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center, R.O.C.; and the sponsorship of Yong Lin Foundation, and Trend Education Foundation.

Whisper of Flowers
World Premiere
3 - 12 Oct 08

  

In 1998 Lin Hwai-min selected slow movements from Bach’s Suites for Solo Cello to create Moon Water, a work of sublime beauty that was selected as the best dance production of 2003 by The New York Times.

Ten years later, Lin returns to Bach’s Suites and uses its fast movements for Whisper of Flowers to celebrate Cloud Gate’s 35th Anniversary. The work opens on a stage full of red petals. As dancers leap and run, petals are splashed into different “geographies.” Wind blows, the petals tremble and scatter, and eventually flow into the wings. Spring fades.

Whisper of Flowers can be considered as a prequel of Moon Water, Lin says. While Whisper of Flowers is colorful and exuberant, Moon Water, with its black and white visual design, illustrates a quiet and empty state, reminiscent of the solitude after a joyous and vibrant party. In addition to Bach’s music, Lin also takes mirrors from the set of Moon Water to feature in different arrangement in Whisper of Flowers.

A celebration of youth and a meditation on emptiness, Whisper of Flowers and Moon Water make a couplet in contrast styles, yet echo and mirror each other. See both at Cloud Gate’s upcoming fall season!

Please visit the website for more information.

Whisper of Flowers Performances are made possible with the support of Council for Cultural Affairs, Taiwan, National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center, R.O.C., and Chiayi Performing Arts Center; and the sponsorship of Yong Lin Foundation, Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd., Live Forever Construction Co., Ltd., and National Culture and Arts Foundation.


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