By Ying-Ying Zhang | Featured in the Fall 2014 Issue – Art Of The Times
A daughter disguises herself as a son to take her father’s place at war. Meanwhile, a magical monkey protects a Buddhist monk on a quest. These are the stories that make up the building blocks of Chinese culture. Today, these tales come alive through Shen Yun classical Chinese dance.
From the time the goddess Nü Wa created the Chinese people, they have sung of the exploits of heaven and earth. Some stories are beautiful fairy tales. Others, however, are moral parables interwoven with history itself.
The Language of Dance
To unlock the treasures of Chinese civilization, understanding the language is key. Fortunately, there is one language that anyone can understand. This is the unspoken language of classical Chinese dance.
Developed over thousands of years, this art form has a vast system of movements. It incorporates dramatic flips and tumbling techniques. Furthermore, it requires yun, which translates as the spirit of the dance.
Yun embodies the expressiveness of the dancer. Because the dance is a form of communication, any character can be portrayed. From a victorious general to a shy maiden, Shen Yun classical Chinese dance is the perfect medium for storytelling.
A Global Revival
Classical Chinese dance is experiencing a global revival. Surprisingly, its new home is not in Beijing, but in New York. Shen Yun Performing Arts brings together dedicated artists from around the world.
Their mission is to spur a renaissance of traditional Chinese civilization. The name Shen Yun roughly translates as “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” Consequently, the company holds itself to a high standard.
Legends on Stage
Every season, Shen Yun dedicates dances to telling stories. In past years, audiences watched in awe as the Lord Buddha descended from the skies. Additionally, they met the ancient heroine Mulan on the battlefield.
Others watched the folk hero Wu Song save a village from a vicious tiger. Shen Yun’s story-based dances form a thread that links past and present. Ultimately, this allows the entire world to witness the chronicle of the Chinese people.
Shen Yun Performing Arts will return to Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater Jan. 10–18.
