Sounding Light

Cloud Gate

Cheng Tsung-lung, the choreographer and Artistic Director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre - 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 German premiere of its latest production will also open a series of six dance and performance pieces showcasing Taiwanese artists at Kunstfest Weimar 2024.