Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan January 22, 2010

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago presents one of Asia’s most important contemporary dance companies in the Chicago premiere of Moon Water, choreographer Lin Hwai-min’s signature piece set to selections from Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello. Moon Water, or shui yuei in Chinese, is a metaphor for two things: a Buddhist proverb—“Flowers in a mirror and moon on the water are both illusory”—and a description of the ideal state of Tai Chi practitioners—“Energy flows as water, while the spirit shines as the moon.” The choreographer takes these famous quotes as a springboard to create a poetic rendering of the Taoist philosophy. Moon Water is a study of the real vs. the unreal, effort vs. effortlessness, yin and yang and, in the end, a study of time. Performed on a black stage with white brush strokes reminiscent of ripples, the piece features mirrors hung overhead to reflect the dancers in white billowy costumes. Towards the end of the piece, water seeps onto the stage and soaks the dancing bodies.

Official Website: http://www.colum.edu/dancecenter