- Date 2002-11-29
- Venue National Theatre
Smoke
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Comments on the Finalist
Successfully combining still installations and floating images of slides on the stage, Smoke displays the dark and unknown hidden inside with its refined structure and poetic atmosphere
Its proficient integration of theatrical elements, such as the design of lighting to create spiritual aroma around and the use of installations and images to construct multiple spatial imaginations, resolves the problem of transition of time and space in dance performances.
It is a rarity focusing on the development of movement techniques among Cloud Gate Dance Theater’s recent works. It transforms the techniques of ballet and Tai-Chi Dow-Ing to a physical language of humanity, aestheticism, feelings, and fun. Fulfilled with tension and affection, the movements reveal the extraordinary talent of dancers of a new generation.
Artwork Introduction
Sometimes, a name heard in one spring day would just come up to mind... －Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust
Inspired by Marcel Proust's Remembrance of Things Past, Lin Hwai-min's latest piece of choreography Smoke is about memories.
About the Artist
Founded in 1973, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan is the first contemporary dance company in any Chinese speaking community. Cloud Gate's rich repertoire has its roots in Asian myths, folklore, and aesthetics, but it brings to these age-old beliefs and stories a contemporary and universal perspective.
Cloud Gate has made extensive overseas tours throughout the continents of Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. At home, Cloud Gate also enjoys high acclaim and popularity. International critics have acclaimed Cloud Gate as the following: "One of the finest dance companies in the world" The Globe and Mail, Toronto
Hwai-min Lin
Founder and Artistic Director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Lin Hwai-min was heralded as one of the most renowned choreographers in Asia. Lin was acclaimed by the New York Times as having “succeeded brilliantly in fusing dance techniques and theatrical concepts from the East and the West.”
Lin was named as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the World by Jaycees International in 1983, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Department of Culture of New York City in 1996, an Honorary Award of Fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in 1997, an Honorary Doctorate from National Chung Cheng University of Taiwan, the Ramon Magsaysay Award (“the Nobel Prize of Asia”) in 1999, the Fok Ying Tung Contribution Prize in 2001, and the National Award for Arts, for the second time, from Taiwan National Culture and Arts Foundation in 2002. Furthermore, he was selected as the “Choreographer of the 20th Century” by Dance Europe magazine, cited as the “Best Choreographer of Lyon Biannual Festival,” and chosen to be one of the “Personalities of the Year,” along with Merce Cunningham, Jirí Kylián, Pina Bausch and William Forsythe, by Ballet International magazine in 2000.
Lin is also an acclaimed writer in Taiwan, and several of his works have been translated into English and published in the United States.
Production Team
Choreography : Lin Hwai-min
Music : Alfred Schnittke
Lighting Design : Chang Tsan-tao
Set Design : Austin Wang
Costume Design : Sammy Wang
Dancers : Lee Ching-chun, Chou Chang-ning, Teng Kuei-fu, Wen Ching-ching, Chiu I-wen, etc.
