Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist

In this syllogistic work, GENG, LIU I-Ling adopts a writer’s way of thinking and transforms the limelight into a symbol of power. In the three sections, the dancer was first continuously denied by the power; then, she attempted to escape from the power play, and finally, became active in fighting against the power. The dance created the image of a young girl who was not willing to be manipulated and compromised. Her seemingly thin and relaxed gestures, in fact, manifested an extremely powerful force and speed. In a delicate, witty and somewhat humorous way, the work offers a re-interpretation of postmodern dance as well as its discourse on deconstruction and release techniques.(Commentator: ZHANG Xiao-Xiong)

Artwork Introduction

Geng represents time, experience, change, as well as a comparison by degree. There may be choices made in a time of crisis in life that one would rethink after the fact; if method and mindset is adjusted when a similar situation is encountered again. This represents growth. GENG took shape under this line of thought, an attempt to challenge how “good” is defined and to faithfully present the emotions in that moment.

Throughout the work, lighting plays a role of mystery and challenge.  The performer strives for survival between the light and darkness. Music becomes an extremely important conduit for expression in the work, whether it’s a single, calm repetitive note, complete silence, or an expressive love song. For instance, LIU I-Ling’s first foray at lyric writing, It’s Not About you, uses hip-hop to release tension when obstacles are encountered. The 12 standing techniques of Japanese battōjutsu Iaido serve as a source of inspiration for the main movements in the solo dance performance. The work, lasting 22 minutes, comprises of variations on these two minutes of movement. Different character states are created in the process of repetition and in the corresponding environment on and off the stage.

About the Artist

LIU I-Ling

Currently residing in New York, LIU I-Ling is a senior dancer at the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane (BTJ/AZ ) Company.  In 2012, she served as Taipei National University of the Arts Focus Dance Company rehearsal master for D-Man in the Waters.  She returned to Taiwan in 2014 to participate in a performance of CHEN Wu-Kang’s Play Dead at the National Theater produced on the tenth anniversary of HORSE dance theater. She took on a producer role for the self-choreographed Dances by Dancers at BTJ/AZ in 2015, as well as a performance of her own work entitled  Shush in Hsiao-Mei HO’s Meimage Dance New Choreographer Project. She returned in 2017 to perform her new work, GENG.

Production Team

Choreographed & Performed by I-Ling Liu

Music Credit in order of appearance:

It’s Not About You

Lyrics by I-Ling Liu

Composed by Antonio Brown

Rapped by Christina Robson & I-Ling Liu

Long 20 6 by Mike Wall

The Best Wishes

Lyrics & Composed by Shiuan Chang

Lighting Designed by Chia-Ming Liu

Creative Consultation by Ethan Chen