SOUNDING LIGHT by CHENG Tsung-lung
Let’s go up the mountains to seek the light!
It was four o’clock on an early April morning. CHENG Tsung-lung, the Artistic Director of Cloud Gate, along with the dancers and the work team, went up the mountains in the dark.
This was a shooting trip for the promotional visuals of Cheng’s newest work, Sounding Light. The weather had been unstable for the past few weeks, and it was difficult to settle a shooting schedule in the mountains. When good weather finally returned, Cheng said, “Let’s go up the mountains to seek the light!”
With shooting gears on our backs, we only had headlamps to light our way in the midst of darkness. Despite puffing and panting, we did not catch the sunrise. However, all of our unrest was miraculously calmed when the first ray of the sun exploded from behind the mountains. What Nature has to offer is never something that one could plan ahead for. The only thing we could do is to feel and receive at each encounter.
Dancers In The Mountains Hiked On Their Feet!
CHENG Tsung-lung, the choreographer of Sounding Light and Artistic Director of Cloud Gate, wanted to conceptualize how the shapes found in nature could lead to new breakthroughs and undertakings for dancers. The craggy mountains, the meandering mountain paths, and the steep hillsides could all inspire new ways to work on their bodies.
CHENG later noted,
“I wanted to give solo dancer together as an ensemble.”
“This is because we can only rely on each other in the mountains, nothing else. With people around, you can’t just stare blank like you treat your phone when running out of power, or keep silent. You have to deal with the situation.”
As a result, we decided to go hiking.
Finding Your Own Way
The towering mountains, babbling brooks, searing sun, and frigid nights not only strengthened dancers’ bodies but also enriched their hearts with memories of glittering starlight and iridescent sunsets. These intangible treasures can all be integrated into dance performances after they come down from the mountain.
Creating A Forest With Sounds
CHENG Tsung-lung’s new work Sounding Light is to explore the connections between sound, the body, and the self. He invited composer CHANG Shiuan to create the sounds and voices for SOUNDING LIGHT by customizing music for each dancer.
They imitated the noises associated with wind, rain, insects, and birds, turning the rehearsal hall into an orchestra of forest sounds. And the magic result is awaiting audiences to experience in theater.
