VIEW THIS PAGE Jade Hua (華碧玉) founded her modern dance company, Jade & Artists Dance Troupe (肢體音符舞團), 12 years ago with the goal of combining modern dance and Asian traditions to help preserve the best of traditional arts.
For the first six years, she used Eastern legends as inspiration. But in the last few years she has focused on modern stories and dancers’ gestures. She says she expects her 10 dancers to dance “from the inside,” not just show off their technique.
Her dancers will certainly be dancing from the inside out in her latest work, Vipashayana (觀。自在).
Vipashyana is a Sanskrit word meaning insight. In Buddhism, it means insight into the true nature of life beyond reality. However, Hua said she wasn’t trying to explore “within,” but modern society.
For the score of the hour-long show, which is divided into One/Being, State of Confusion and Self Realization, she turned to Taiwanese composer Joe Lee (李哲藝).
“He joined in rehearsals, composed music and gave dancers rhythm instructions for one part of State of Confusion. So in a way, he also choreographed,” she said.
The stage design is rather unusual, given that it centers around a large collection of glass tubes. Hua said she wanted something clear and crystal to illustrate “the pure state of one person.”
“Rise of Wind and Clouds was designed and handcrafted by Chen Chien-hong (陳政宏), our glass arts director for this production,” Hua said. “He agreed to provide this giant work for display in Novel Hall and the same moveable glass tubes for the set on stage.”
Jade & Artists Dance Troupe perform Vipashayana tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm at Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3號). Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw. VIEW THIS PAGE
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