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Cloud Gate's Moon Water at BAM
by Julian Lopez

Founder of Cloud Gate Theatre in Taiwan and renowned choreographer Lin Hwai-min brilliantly fuses dance techniques and theoretical concepts from the East and the West to create a work of genius: Moon Water. Inspired by Bali; the Ganges in India, Moon Water is based on the effortless yet graceful movements of martial arts, primarily Tai Chi.

As the curtains open and Moon Water begins, a single figure is spread out over the center of the stage. White swirls painted onto the floor surround him. He is motionless. Then, without warning he begins to move, slowly. He is not only tranquilizing but also hypnotizing. His movements are so gentle and purposeful that time seems to stop while watching him. But he is not alone for very long. Almost flowing like water, his companions soon join him and together, they create a rhythmic pattern of movements, always moving in sync with Bach's cello suites. The performers were captivating in both movement and stillness, achieving synchronized movement and perfect stillness. The dancers were also able to make swift movements from held postures, done with the rapidity and fluidity of a snake.

Moon Water manages to take Tai Chi and Bach's cello suites and not only bring them together into close union, but truly create something unique from the two components. The result left the audience visibly moved and marks Cloud Gate out as a real force in contemporary dance.

While there are Western influences in the dance, many Eastern philosophical precepts are illustrated in this piece. The oneness of self and environment is explored though a set of burnished mirrors that reflect and refract the dancers until even the surroundings dance. The fluidity of the dancers is embodied in the filling of the water. The chorus dancers epitomizes the idea of being many in body and one in mind as the move complete harmony and unity through complex sequences of movement.

Since Moon Water's premiere in 1998, it has received mixed reviews. Some find the movements of the dancers too slow, almost to the point of boredom while others find it soothing. Cloud Gate simply presents its audience with beauty and meaning, danced with style, grace and elegance. The piece was truly extraordinary and the company rightly deserved standing ovation it received.