AUDIENCE REVIEW: Portraits of the Moon
Company:
Jiemin Yang
Performance Date:
10/19/2024
Freeform Review:
“Portraits of the Moon” is the first dance theater performance that truly resonated with me. I felt every emotional twist and turn, fully engaged with each layer of the show. It was like a beautifully constructed tapestry, gradually pushing into different emotional and spatial realms. The performance showcased the dancers’ personalities through a multitude of perspectives on home and mythology.
The journey began with the mythology of Chang’e and the Moon and her being forcefully displaced from her husband/home, then transitioned into a humorous segment where the dancers embodied ingredients to create a mooncake. This joyful interlude was followed by a grand display of traditional Chinese poems, evoking a deep sense of homesickness.
The performance then transitioned into oral history, with the choreographer, Jiemin, incorporating interviews about people’s relationships with their homes. The final part featured dancers using elastic bands to symbolize connections to home, revealing layers of meaning that gave me chills multiple times.
This performance was not just an innovative and phenomenal art piece, but also a personal one. It evoked all the feelings within me and memories of home. I would eagerly watch anything Jiemin choreographs, as he successfully and intelligently incorporates culture, dance, human connection, and our longing for home in this piece. I hope it goes on tour everywhere.
images provided by Jiemin Yang
Author:
Christie Zhao
Website:
https://www.jieminyang.art/
Photo Credit:
Michael Yu
