Cheng Tsung-lung, the choreographer and Artistic Director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan - a renowned international contemporary dance company from Taiwan -, re-learned how to listen during the pandemic. He has drawn inspiration for a new work from the noises of the forest – from its insects and birds and the wind in the trees: ‘Sounding Light’ is the result of his thinking about the (im-)balance between human civilization and nature. His choreography follows the progress of one day filled with sunlight – interrupted by clouds and the shadows of leaves. The dancers themselves provide the majority of the soundtrack as a natural element of their performance. While their movements imitate nature, birds and insects, their bodies become instruments: in collaboration with the composers Lim Giong and Chang Shiuan they apply their voices and breath, snapping fingers and clapping hands. By doing so, the dancers create impressions of a breeze, forest creatures, falling rain or flowing water both acoustically and visually. Choreographer Cheng succeeded the legendary Lin Hwai-min as artistic Director of this prestigious dance company in 2020, which will now be seen in Weimar for a second time, following its highly acclaimed guest performance in 2003. The european premiere of its latest production will also open a series of six dance and performance pieces showcasing Taiwanese artists at Kunstfest Weimar 2024.
CONCEPT / CHOREOGRAPHY Cheng Tsung-lung
MUSIC Lim Giong
SOUND AND VOICE Chang Shiuan
LIGHTING DESIGN Lulu W.L. Lee
COSTUME DESIGN Chen Shao-yen
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF CLOUD GATE Liang Chun-mei
CO-PRODUCTION National Performing Arts Center - National Theater & Concert Hall, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), National Taichung Theater
PREMIERE October 1st, 2020, National Theater, Taipei, Taiwan
SPONSORED BY the Ministry of Culture, R.O.C.(Taiwan), Taipei Representative Office in Germany