(Minghui.org) The Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company staged seven sold-out shows at Taiwan's Chih – The Hall of the Kaohsiung City Cultural Center, in Kaohsiung City, on February 28–March 5, 2013.

“Shen Yun the Highest Form of Art,” Says Godfather of Taiwan Film Industry

Joseph Kuo Nan-Hong said of Shen Yun: “This is the highest form of dancing art that mankind could possibly achieve. I am beyond admiring it!” (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Wherever Shen Yun performs, that's where artists and arts professionals gather, like Joseph Kuo Nan-Hong, the defacto godfather of Taiwan's film industry.

Mr. Kuo has directed, written, and produced numerous martial arts and romantic movies.

“I believe that many artists in the world admire Shen Yun’s quality. It is the highest form of dancing art that mankind can possibly achieve. I am beyond admiring it!” he exclaimed.

The filmmaker attends Shen Yun every year: “Every time I watched it, it brought me a new kind of sensation. Every time, I was so emotional that I cried. I respect the artists and the staff because they had to have devoted so much to this production.”

He said Shen Yun is a “world-class, top arts group,” then gave an example: “In each program there were dozens of artists. They transformed into 20 to 30 kinds of arrangements and each transformation was flawless. How they accomplished that feat was beyond me!”

Knowing what it takes to pull off a such a grand performance as Shen Yun, he said, “Those who were behind the curtain, the artists, the costume designers, the musicians, and those who worked on the stage props and special effects; because of them, people in this world can enjoy the ultimate dancing art!”

Mr. Kuo thinks everyone should see Shen Yun: “You will never forget, your whole life. My wife saw it in Los Angeles, once, and she said that she wanted to see it again. I will meet my friends in southern Taiwan and attend the performance when Shen Yun comes to Tainan.”

At Shen Yun “I Really Ascended To Heaven,” Says Dancer

Ms. Huang Siyi, the deputy director of Pharaoh Dancing Troupe, enjoyed Shen Yun in Kaohsiung on the evening of March 1. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Also in the audeince, and seeing Shen Yun for the first time, was Huang Siyi, the deputy director of Pharaoh Dancing Troupe.

“I have long heard of Shen Yun, but not until this year did I have the chance to bring my students here,” she said.

“When the curtain opened, I felt a deep and inexplicable excitement. I was so moved that my face was bathed in tears. Seeing the design of the costumes and the choreography on the stage, I thought it was the dream of every dancer. I felt sacred. It gave me the feeling that I really ascended to heaven,” said Ms. Huang.

As a dancer, she felt that experiencing Shen Yun had fulfilled a deep wish she had as an artist.

“I tried to control my emotion, because a show with such gorgeous costumes, magnificent pomp, and outstanding dancers is a very, very big dream of dance artists. I am very happy to have the opportunity to participate in such a grand feast, a splendid performance.”

She felt both gratitude and a sense of spirituality and optimism during the show.

“I think the meaning expressed in the program stories were very profound, especially the last program, 'Divine Mercy.' It showed in the digital backdrop that people in the whole world were practicing Falun Gong. I felt very touched about that. People, whether Chinese people or foreigners, will be moved when seeing the scene. [It made me feel that] the future world will be very tranquil. We have to be grateful to gods for all this. I felt touched by the appearance of the Buddha and the gods.”

Ms. Huang said that she was so moved by Shen Yun that she may travel to another city to see it again, adding, that she hopes her friends and relatives will see it also.

“I am thinking of watching the show again in Tainan. I will tell all of my friends and family members how extremely, extremely, extremely, extremely fascinating the show was. I think whether they are artists or general audience members, they would definitely, definitely be touched very deeply.”

Feeling full of joy and proud of the Chinese people, she said: “I just felt very touched and excited even during the break. I am still keyed up now. We must support such an excellent performance as Shen Yun. So if you haven’t seen Shen Yun, do not waste any more time.

“Cherish the opportunity that Shen Yun is performing in Taiwan. You must come and see the show! I’m really proud of the Chinese people. I learned a lot when seeing the show, about choreography and fluency.”

Ms. Huang said that she was deeply touched by the soprano's song, knowing that it demanded that the singer be a very kind person.

“Listening to the lyrics, I knew that all beings were kings in the heavens. We are not just here to suffer, but we should do more. We should do good deeds. Since you were really a king from heaven, you should give to others from now on. Some people might grumble that life is hard, but they can learn to see things from another perspective.”

She felt that Shen Yun conveyed the divine mercy and deep meaning of the different Chinese stories, and represented the essence of Chinese culture at the same time.

Shen Yun Can Affect Future People, Says Scholar

Art education professor Hwang Ren-Lai attended Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company’s third show, in Kaohsiung on March 1, and highly praised the performance. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Also seated in the audeince was renowned art education scholar, Hwang Ren-Lai, who said Shen Yun “was indeed very wonderful.”

After watching Shen Yun for a few years now, Dr. Hwang said the use of an interactive digital backdrop has become even more refined. “Even more high-tech things have been synchronized into this year's artistic performance,” he noted.

He praised the dancers, and particularly enjoyed how they twirled their handkerchiefs in “An Early Spring.”

Dr. Hwang said he held his breath as he attentively watched every dancer’s movements. He found that their skills were so exquisite that every movement was completely flawless. He said, “They are really remarkable.” He attributed the achievement to Shen Yun performers’ rigorous training and to perfect choreography.

“The program is well designed, and the colors and the costumes match perfectly.” He added that these elements were what made the performance so outstanding and the overall visual effect so wonderful.

Dr. Hwang said that the artistic conception of the “The Emperor Journeys to the Moon,” and the dance rhythms in “Han Imperial Air” impressed him.

“Shen Yun gives the audience a general understanding of the essence of 5,000 years of Chinese culture, in a short period of time. This is something that’s most precious about Shen Yun,” he said.

He continued, “People in Taiwan are likely to appreciate high-level drama or cultural performances such as Shen Yun, and they are able to gain more from such an experience.”

Dr. Hwang feels that Shen Yun is playing a huge role in elevating peoples' morality.

“At present, our entire society needs to be upgraded, not only at the level of culture and arts, but also in the areas of morality and religion. Shen Yun’s performance can have this kind of effect. Not only can Shen Yun inspire modern people, but it can also affect people in the future.”

Dr. Hwang received his doctorate in Art Education from the University of Georgia in America. He is both the former chair of the Department of Communication Arts and coordinator of the Graduate Institute of Creative Arts Industries at the Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages.

“Shen Yun Performaces Are Sheer Beauty,” Says Legislator

Legislator Lin Tai-Hua attends Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company’s 2013 premiere show in Kaohsiung at the Kaohsiung Cultural Center on the afternoon of Feb. 28. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Lin Tai-Hua, a Taiwan Legislator, said that Shen Yun is very unique because it incorporates the Buddha School’s principles into its program, which uplift the audiences' attitude and helps resolve many questions about life.

The legislator was full of praise for Shen Yun, saying, “Shen Yun performances are something with true sincerity, abundant compassion, and sheer beauty.”

Lin Tai-Hua was especially impressed by the choreography and the performers. “Combining dances with modern technology, Shen Yun ushered the audience into a realm that transcended the 5,000 years of Chinese culture, and helped [the audience] understand the essence of Chinese culture. Through the excellent arrangements in all of the programs, we can feel the grandeur of Chinese culture and history.”

Ms. Lin concluded, “Aa a Chinese audience member of the show, I am proud of the performers.”

No Regrets in Life After Watching Shen Yun, Says Association President

Hsu Hui-Mei (R) and Lai Man-Chi (L) from the International Association for Volunteer Effort in Taiwan, attend Shen Yun in Kaohsiung. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Also enjoying the show was Hsu Hui-Mei, president of the International Association for Volunteer Effort in Taiwan.

After the performance, she said, “Life is short and I have no regrets after watching the performance of Shen Yun.”

Ms. Hsu felt blessed to be able to see Shen Yun: “Many of our fellow volunteers came here today. Being able to see such an exquisite performance is a great blessing for us in southern Taiwan.

“We were stunned to see that things on the backdrop were so incredibly vivid and real, truly amazing!”

Ms. Hsu added, “The most remarkable thing I noticed was that all of the artists were motivated by their compassion.”

Accompanying Ms. Hsu was Ms. Lai Man-Chi, executive director of the association.

Ms. Lai was mesmerized the moment the curtain was raised. “The stereo effect from the backdrop projection was breathtaking with the appearance of gods and Buddhas. After that, were stories evolved one after another presenting the divine culture. The live orchestra did a fantastic and superb job!”

Shen Yun Highlights Truth and Kindness, Says Arts Director

Ms. Kao Shu-Chuan attends Shen Yun at the Kaohsiung Culture Center on March 2. (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Kao Shu-Chuan, director of Chu-Yin Culture and Arts Troupe, said that she saw the "universal value of truthfulness that allowed me to return to my inborn innocence."

"I was speechless for a long time," she added. 

Ms. Kao teaches traditional music culture at a university and has written and directed many large scale musicals.

She has traveled to China and Hong Kong many times and exchanged ideas with many arts groups there. She commented on the difference between the shows that she saw there and Shen Yun.

“The biggest difference was that people in China nowadays have long lost the spirit of trust and honesty between each other. However, I saw this spirit in Shen Yun,” she said.

“We should rediscover the values of mankind. I found the universal value, the most fundamental value of mankind--kindness--in Shen Yun. I am very thrilled because I found the essence of life, which I have been searching for for years,” she enthused.

“Shen Yun tells a story in a natural and approachable way, yet conveys a very profound meaning. The backdrop is magnificent technology that perfectly synchronized with the sound and lighting. I admire the choreographer and the director of the performance,” she said.

“Each dancer is an element of the arts. None of them tried to stand out. This kind of cooperation moves me,” she added.

Ms. Kao believed that it was necessary that the stories in the show tell people about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China. “The truth must be told so people can discern right from wrong.”

“The fact is, the Chinese Communist regime continues to suppress Falun Dafa, which is a benevolent practice. Through this arts feast, the beauty of Falun Dafa is shown, and so is the truth.”

“I hope more people can come and see Shen Yun and restart their lives with the kindness seen in Shen Yun,” Ms. Kao concluded.

Sources:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/mr-joseph-kuo-nan-hong-shen-yun-highest-form-of-art-355820.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/dancer-at-shen-yun-i-really-ascended-to-heaven-355756.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/scholar-shen-yun-can-affect-future-people-355722.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/legislator-shen-yun-true-sincerity-abundant-compassion-and-sheer-beauty-355540.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/president-of-international-association-i-have-no-regret-in-life-after-watching-shen-yun-356287.html
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/director-of-culture-and-arts-troupe-shen-yun-highlights-the-truth-and-the-utmost-kindness-356284.html