To find out more about the production, please click here [PDF, 2.0MB]


"When has one ever seen a company with such magical and beautiful bodies?"
– Neues Deutschland

" [The dancers] possess a control and articulation that verge on the superhuman. These are performers who can make stillness every bit as eloquent as animation. In fact, they have the power to change your metabolism."
– Chicago Sun-Times

Created by internationally-renowned choreographer Lin Hwai-min, this sublime work of spellbinding beauty and breathtaking technique is inspired by a phrase uttered by Yen Chen-ching in a legendary conversation with fellow respected Chinese calligrapher Huai Su during the Tang Dynasty.

Water Stains on the Wall is performed on an expanse of white stage on which images of drifting clouds in different shades of black are projected. With movements reminiscent of free-flowing ink, the ever-morphing clouds create exquisite spaces that are constantly shifting, bringing Chinese landscape ink painting to life on stage.

Accompanied by a Zen-like score by renowned contemporary Japanese composer Toshio Hosokawa, dancers whirl and leap high with deceptive ease on a raised stage tilted at an eight degree incline. Firmly grounded on the 1.25 metre high ramp, yet appearing to be floating all the time, the dancers create the illusion of clouds and water as their forms are continuously being painted on by projected shadows and re-emerging into a white brilliance.
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The title of the work is derived from a phrase "water stains on the wall" uttered during a legendary conversation between two of the most respected Chinese calligraphers from the Tang Dynasty (618–907).

The phrase then came to be used to describe the aesthetical refinement in Chinese calligraphy:

"Where do you get inspirations for your calligraphic style?" asked Yen Chen-ching, whose signature style of Kai script brought Chinese calligraphy to a new height.

"I observe summer clouds that resemble mountains with spectacular peaks," replied Huai Su, the young monk who later became the most renowned master of wild cursive style. "The most exciting parts remind one of birds flying out of woods and snakes slithering into bushes…"

"How about water stains on the wall?" asked Yen Chen-ching.

"Right on! You old devil!" exclaimed Huai Su.



Co-produced by
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

  

The  tour is made possible by a grant from the Council for Cultural Affairs, Taiwan

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: http://www.cloudgate.org.tw/eng/CG1/index.html