Article by William Kustiono
Photo by Emily Cheng
The Joyce Theater Foundation is proud to present Cloud Gate 2 from Taiwan performing the U.S. premiere of On the Road, an evening-length work by Associate Artistic Director Cheng Tsung-lung. On the Road has won the Annual Performing Arts Award winner of the 10th Taishin Arts Award (2012), one of the most prestigious arts awards in Taiwan.
On the Road consists of playful duets and trios (three male dancers perform the work) and features contemporary dance elements derived from the Taiwan culture, including native performance art and religious ritual movement. Cheng Tsung-lung conceived the idea while roaming the terrain of southwestern China, the piece unfolds slowly with deliberate pace, continuously engaging the audience along its path. Set to scores ranging from Taiwanese folk songs to traditional Naxi, to Islamic music, and finally to Tom Waits’ smoky voice. On the Road unites Easter and Western tradition to convey a powerful artistic message.
Director of Taipei Cultural Center, Susan Yu held a press conference to introduce the programs of Cloud Gate 2′s U.S. premiere of On the Road at the Joyce Theater. Deputy Director General of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office, Alex Fan, and Executive Director of the Joyce Theater Foundation, Linda Shelton, both attended the press conference with an opening remark. Tsung-lung Cheng, Associate Artistic Director of Cloud Gate 2 & Choreographer introduced the dance programs On the Road and showcased a short clip on the screen for media to preview.
Director of Taipei Cultural Center, Susan Yu
Deputy Director General of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office, Alex Fan
Executive Director of the Joyce Theater Foundation, Linda Shelton
Cheng Tsung-lung is a graduating student from the Dance Department of Taipei National University of the Arts, Cheng performed internationally with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan from 2002 to 2004. He served as Resident Choreographer fro Cloud Gate 2 from 2006-2010. He is the recipient of the No Ballet International Choreography Competition, the Premio Roma Danza International Choreography Competition in Italy and the Masdanza Choreography Competition in Spain. Chen was honored as “Artist of 2011” by the Performing Arts Reviews, Taiwan.
Associate Artistic Director of Cloud Gate 2 & Choreographer, Tsung-lung Cheng
Cloud Gate 2 was formed in 1999 by Lin Hwai-min with the late Lo Man-fei, a choreographer and former Cloud Gate Dancer, as its Founding Artistic Director. Since Lo’s passing in 2006, Lin has acted as company director. Unlike most junior companies, Cloud Gate 2 does not prepare dancers for Cloud Gate; nor does it perform Lin Hwai-min’s choreographies. It showcases talented young dancers in original works by innovative young choreographers. Cloud Gate 2 reaches out to thousands of people through residency programs on campuses and communities in Taiwan. Cloud Gate 2 made its first international tour in 2012.
The Jouyce Theater presents Cloud Gate 2 and the U.S. premiere of On the Road, an evening length work by Associate Artistic Director Cheng Tsung-lung, from October 2-6. For more info, please visit: www.Joyce.org
Photo credit 李芸霈
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