Timeless Movement: Revisiting Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s Legacy

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the esteemed Cloud Gate Dance Theatre restaged Legacy, a masterpiece of choreography that recounts the tale of Taiwan, crafted through the sweat of eight generations of dancers.

Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆

In Legacy, dancers are seen praying as they brave through the storm to arrive in Taiwan. Image courtesy of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

TAPIEI, Taiwan — On December 16, 1978, a groundbreaking dance performance made its debut in Chiayi. This was amidst the announcement made by the United States of America to sever diplomatic ties with the Republic of China.

Despite the uncertainty and turmoil surrounding the nation, Lin Hwai-Min, founder of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, remained steadfast in his commitment to the arts. When asked if the performance would proceed as planned , Lin confidently replied, "Of course!" Believing the power of art to offer solace, Lin understood that while art couldn't change the political situation, it could serve as a unifying force, providing solace and solidarity to a nation facing adversity.

Over 6,000 individuals flocked in to witness the debut. This remarkable dance performance, aptly titled Legacy ( "Xinchuan" in Chinese), became a testament to the resilience and spirit of the Taiwanese people, reaffirming their connection to their homeland.

Over the course of two months, the show attracted 20,000 audience. It not only celebrated a momentous milestone for the then newly-founded Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, but also etched a lasting impression in the collective consciousness of the Taiwanese people.

Legacy stands out as the first performance that draws its inspiration from the rich history of Taiwan. It artfully recounts the arduous journey of Taiwan's ancestors, who braved the strait, departing from Tang Shan aboard boats to forge new lives upon the shores of Taiwan, ultimately calling this land their home.

Transitioned through eight generations of dancers, this choreographic masterpiece transcends the boundaries of time, and continues to resonate with the nation, even 45 years after its creation. As the troupe commemorates its 50th anniversary, it is befitting that Legacy takes over the stage once again.

In near darkness, the performance commences with each dancer reverently holding onto an incense stick, offering profound respect to ancestors. The delicate tendrils of incense smoke waft through the auditorium, infusing the air with the rustic aroma of wood, as if transforming the stage into a sacred family altar, where kin gather to pray for blessings of their forebears. This solemn scene unfolds against the backdrop of traditional Nanguan music, its melodies weaving through the air with evocative nostalgia.

Commanding a prominent place in the front corner of the stage is an incense burner. Each dancer tenderly places their incense stick inside the incense burner. Subsequently, a transformation unfolds, as the dancers shed their fashionable attire to reveal traditional indigo-dyed costumes underneath, emblematic of the Hakka culture. In this metamorphosis, they not only evolve from performers to dancers but also assume the mantle of their ancestors, bridging the chasm of generations. United in purpose, the dancers converge into a harmonious circle, evoking the semblance of a sacred ritual.

Within the initial ten minutes of witnessing these dancers' performance, my eyes were welled up with emotion. The sheer intensity they imbue into their dance is palpable—every step, every breath, every fleeting moment exudes an undeniable vigour, fueled by the entirety of their being. The resounding echoes of their hands and feet pounding against the ground resonate with a power surpassing even the rhythmic cadence of the accompanying drum beats by the Ju Percussion Group.

What intrigues me the most, however, is the dancers' mesmerising movement. According to choreographer Lin Hwai-Min, the ancestral labourers who engaged in agricultural endeavours possessed a distinct sense of “groundedness”. To embody this laborious essence, Lin led the first generation of dancers to the riverside, where they worked together, carried rocks, immersing themselves in the physicality of the labourer's experience. It is through this visceral encounter that the dancers acquired a profound connection to the weightiness inherent in their bodies.

Compared to the founding generation of dancers, the eighth generation of dancers possesses a clear professionalism, enjoys a comfortable life, and is free from burden. “Their bodies are more beautiful,” commented Lin. Wu Yi-Fang, a third-generation dancer, compared the dancers’ physical attributes: "these new dancers have beautifully honed bodies… they shine like diamonds, whereas our environment back then wasn't as favourable. We were akin to raw minerals that are slightly rough, but minerals also possess their own strength and beauty."

The dancers, hand in hand, enter a state of ritual-like ecstasy. Image courtesy of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

In a scene from Legacy, male dancers wide open their arms and jump in the air as if flying. Image courtesy of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

In the following scene, a colossal piece of white silk unfolds, spanning the stage with its sheer magnitude. It becomes a visual representation of the sea that challenge the the ancestors’ boat during their arduous sea-crossing journey.

The undulations of the fabric mirror the tumultuous storms encountered, causing the dancers' bodies to tremble and convulse in response. At times, the sea engulfs the troupe, swirling around them with the force of a tempest. But as the tempest subsides, the sea descends beneath their feet, symbolising their triumphant transcendence over the treacherous weather. After the storm has passed, we see the dancers offering prayers to the sky, beseeching the divine and their ancestors for protection and guidance on their journey.

Upon arriving the new land, men and women, who clad in indigo-dyed garments, venture along rugged paths to carve their own destinies. They explore uncharted territories that would later become their home. Enveloped by a resounding melody, the dancers surrender wholeheartedly, weaving a tapestry of performance suffused with palpable tension.

In a pre-show talk, poet Chung Yung-Feng, who is of Hakka origin, recounts his profound encounter with Legacy four decades ago. He recalls with great clarity how the Hakka elders, when watching the performance, were deeply moved to tears. As Chung was taken aback by this poignant sight, I, too, was astonished by the profound impact of art that is capable of evoking emotions within people from all walks of life.

A scene from Legacy shows a lady, who is dressed in rice-white garment, flirting with a man. Image courtesy of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

Throughout the performance, Chen Ta’s poignant composition, “Xi Xiang Qi” (literally “Triggering Thoughts”), is played as a prelude to each scene. This hauntingly beautiful folk song, sung in Taiwanese, encapsulates the tribulations endured by those forebears who embarked on their journey from the distant shores. It is worth noting that what’s being played in the performance is only an excerpt from a much lengthier three-hour recording by Chen, who masterfully improvised the lyrics on the spot in the studio, narrating the unspoken emotions of those pioneers.

In the scenes that followed, we are presented with a captivating portrayal of everyday life. In one scene, the dancers gracefully lower themselves into a squatting position, simulating the act of planting rice seedlings, their movements intricately choreographed to evoke beauty. In another, we witness the union of man and woman in marriage, a symbol of new chapters being written on this newfound homeland; the woman ultimately giving birth to the next generation of children, encapsulating the profound cycle of life.

In the climactic final scene, a Chinese-red ribbon descends in the centre. A couple of dancers emerge onstage, each holding a ribbon wand, with their movements harmoniously synchronised. Initially, they wave the ribbon with one hand. Then, as a united force, all the dancers gather onstage, joyously waving the ribbons with both hands. To my surprise, the ribbon in the centre reveals itself as the extension of a lion’s body used for the lion dance, a quintessential element of traditional Chinese festivals and celebrations.

In a moment of enchantment, two hanging scrolls descend from either side of the ceiling, delivering the auspicious couplet: "As the winds sway harmoniously and the rains pour with tranquility, the nation stands united, immersed in a state of collective well-being." These profound words embody the heartfelt aspirations of all citizens, encapsulating their deepest desires for peace, harmony and prosperity.

Having commanded the stage in more than a hundred remarkable performances around the world, Legacy has not only garnered tremendous praise but immortalised as a choreographic opus in the New York Dance Archive.

Over the past four decades, Legacy has accompanied Taiwan and its people to traverse various turning points of its history. At the time of writing, Taiwan is — once again — facing tempestuous waters. This is among the many reasons why, even after 45 years since its inception, Legacy retains its relevance.

While we may not embark on literal sea crossings to establish new lives, life itself is an ever-changing journey, fraught with uncertainties. The performance serves as a reminder that, in the face of challenges, we must summon the strength to persevere, resiliently navigating our way towards a state of tranquility and inner peace. It is within the crucible of these hardships and challenges that we could possibly forge an indomitable legacy.

And if art ever served any purpose, it could act as a unifying force that brings together people from all walks of life, as it’s nation braves the seas of uncertainty.

Legacy concludes with the scene where, amidst a festive celebration of lion dance and ribbon dance, two wishful couplets fall from the ceiling on either side of the stage. Image courtesy of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

Reference:
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Legacy by Lin Hwai-Min Guidebook－Signature Edition, 2023.
KU, PI-LING. Xin Chuan, Xin Chuan. China Times Publishing Co, 2023

This writer watched the 180th performance of Legacy, which is also the 4061th performance by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.