The celebrated local dance company Cloud Gate Dance Theater (
The group also plans to give its fans in Taiwan a treat for the millennium with a new program for the new year.
The troupe will premier its 90-minute Burning the Pine Branches (
PHOTO: LIU CHEN-HSIANG
The theme of the performance is Tibetan Buddhist doctrine. "However, we're not trying to sell religion here, so those who who don't know anything about esoteric doctrine can still enjoy it," said Lin Hwai-min (林懷民), who founded the dance company in 1973.
"The message we try to get across is the power of God, the force of nature and the vitality of religion," he said.
Burning pine branches has a special meaning in Tibetan culture.
"Traditionally, Tibetans predict their future by reading the smoke produced by burning pine branches. Facing the advent of a new century, we can't tell what the future holds for us. All we can do is ask God," Lin said.
The costumes and set were designed with great care. Dancers in skin-colored costumes dance among approximately 100 gray and white stones which are carefully arranged on the red-painted stage.
Yellow and maroon silky fabrics such as those traditionally worn by Tibetan lamas wave in the air scented with burning pine branches. The background music uses traditional Tibetan musical instruments.
The enduring hardness of stone contrasts perfectly with the fragility and suppleness of human movement, Lin said.
The creation of the piece originated from Lin's musings on the impermanence of life.
Constant traveling is a good source of inspiration for Cloud Gate's pieces, Lin said. His recent trip to Lhasa, Tibet, for example, had a tremendous impact on him.
"I was amazed by the sky and the architecture, but I was so disappointed with the people that I stayed there for only a week," he said.
"The place has lost its rich heritage since the Chinese government discourages the pursuit and preservation of Tibetan culture and religion."
Lin commented that he was overwhelmed when he saw the peaceful face of a Tibetan old lady who was turning a prayer wheel while sitting outside an old theater screening the movie "Titanic."
"Serenity is not something money can buy," he said.
Most of Lin's 12 creations are related to religion one way or another.
"I think it has a lot to do with my age," Lin said. "The older I get, the more I feel how small humans are and how modest we have to be."
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