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Dance Fri Jan 22 2010
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: Moon Water
The Dance Center of Columbia College welcomes the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan and its performance of Moon Water. "Cloud Gate" is the name of what is considered to be China's the oldest dance form, dating back around 5,000 years ago.
Moon Water, Chinese for 'shui yuei', is a metaphor that describes Tai Chi practitioners' mindset ("Energy flows as water, while the spirit shines as the moon.") and a Buddhist proverb ("Flowers in a mirror and moon on the water are both illusory."). Choreographer Lin Hwai-min uses these quotes as inspiration to create a fluid, expressive piece rooted in the Taoist philosophy.
The piece, with inspired moves from the Chi Kung exercise Tai Chi Tao Yin, is performed on a stage in an all-black setting, accented by white brush strokes that resemble water ripples; near the end, the dancers are soaked in water that flows onto the stage.
The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan's Moon Water runs Friday and Saturday, January 22 and 23 at 8pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets are $30-$65. For more information, visit The Dance Center of Columbia College or call 312-369-8330.
