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AUDIENCE REVIEW: Review of Dahyun Kim’s DUMBO Performance

Company:
Dahyun Kim & Miaotian Sun (X & Y Quadrant Dance Company)

Performance Date:
June 28th, 2024

Freeform Review:

Choreographed by Dahyun Kim and Miaotian Sun, ‘Blooming | 绽放 | 개화’ was a standout piece at the Dumbo Dance Festival, offering a visually and emotionally compelling exploration of growth, transformation, and cultural fusion. The collaboration between the two choreographers brought forth a rich dialogue between Korean and Chinese aesthetics, blending traditional dance motifs with contemporary movement language.

The piece began in silence, with a striking image of the dancers rooted to the floor, like seeds poised to break through the surface. This grounding set a meditative tone, inviting the audience to witness a slow but inevitable emergence. As the first notes of the score rippled through the space, the dancers began to unfurl—each movement precise yet organic, like petals opening to the sun. The music, an evocative blend of traditional Asian instruments and ambient soundscapes, underscored the choreography's themes of blossoming and renewal.

Kim and Sun masterfully wove together elements of their respective cultural backgrounds, creating a layered narrative that felt both personal and universal. The piece included gestures from Korean traditional dance, such as 손끝 (sonkkeut, the expressive fingertips), alongside flowing arm movements reminiscent of Chinese classical dance. These influences were not merely decorative; they were integral to the storytelling, conveying a sense of resilience and the cyclical nature of life.

The dancers' performances were a highlight of the evening. Their nuanced expressions and dynamic shifts in energy embodied the essence of 'blooming.' One particularly memorable moment featured a solo where a dancer, initially confined by her own arms, slowly expanded into a wide, sweeping motion, symbolizing a breaking free from constraints. This motif of restraint and release echoed throughout the piece, building a poignant contrast that resonated deeply with the audience.

Visually, the use of lighting and costumes enhanced the narrative. The costumes, flowing and layered in shades of white, pink, and green, evoked images of cherry blossoms and spring landscapes. The lighting design complemented this, casting dappled shadows that mimicked sunlight filtering through leaves, creating a serene yet dynamic atmosphere.

‘Blooming | 绽放 | 개화’ culminated in a powerful final tableau. The dancers came together in a circle, reaching upwards as if grasping the sky. It was a moment of collective release and a testament to the piece's exploration of shared human experiences—grief, resilience, and the joy of renewal. The applause was thunderous, a clear sign of the audience's appreciation for the emotional journey they had witnessed.

In a festival known for its diversity of voices, ‘Blooming | 绽放 | 개화’ stood out for its seamless integration of cultural elements and its evocative portrayal of growth. Dahyun Kim and Miaotian Sun have created a work that is both a celebration of tradition and a forward-looking exploration of what dance can express in the contemporary world. It’s a piece that lingers in the mind, much like the fragrance of a flower that has just begun to bloom.