Project Description

Chinese Title

騰「雲」躍「門」。「舞」作「集」萃

English Title

Showcase of Taiwan to the World - Cloud Gate Dance Theatre

Project Description

"Cloud Gate Dance Theatre" was founded in 1973 and the aim was to establish a dance troupe of Taiwan. By eastern and western physical training, including modern dance, ballet, Tai Chi Tao Yin and meditation, it reinterpreted culture and history of Taiwan and stood out on international stage. Founder of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Mr. Lin Hwai-min, not only manages annual tour performance in the cities around the world, but also anticipates the young Taiwanese to approach more artistic products. Hence, every year, it holds public performance in Taiwan, and affordable and even free performance in the countryside, in order to introduce art into all Taiwanese people's lives. After Cloud Gate Dance Theatre was recognized by the world, they founded "Cloud Gate Foundation" to reward and sponsor choreographers and dancers of new generation in Taiwan for their creation and study abroad. They promoted dance and art activities to reinforce cultural development of Taiwan and artistic position in the world.

Description of Location

Mr. Lin Hwai-min who met many well-known dancers in New York in early times realized that the dance troupe of Taiwan did not exist. Thus, after returning to Taiwan, he decided to found Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (1973). At the beginning, they practiced by renting the apartments around Taipei and finally they were settled down in Bali (Tamsui) as the place for dance training and creation of Mr. Lin Hwai-min. In order to practice Legacy, Mr. Lin Hwai-min led the dancers to "move the stones" along the river of Xindian in the neighborhood as the training. Thus, the dancers could approach nature. In the process, they not only trained their bodies, but also respected nature. They felt concentrated and calm in the training.

In early times of the foundation, due to the limited funds, the landowner rented him a tin house as sponsorship. However, the fire in 2008 destroyed the efforts of 35 years of Cloud Gate. Thus, Cloud Gate received numerous donations to construct "Cloud Gate Theater". Cloud Gate Theater faces toward Tamsui River. Inside the park, there is a statue, a gift from Mr. Ju Ming for Cloud Gate. Its intentions was to let people slow down and enjoy when walking through the park. "Cloud Gate Theater" is not only the training place for the dancers and Mr. Lin Hwai-min to create impressive works, but also the spiritual sustenance for all Cloud Gate dancers and fans.