Legendary Founder of the iconic Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan Lin Hwai-min 林懷民 discussed his illustrious career for an enthusiastic audience at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance & Theatre in London on Thursday, 20 February. Joined in conversation by Senior Dance Critic Judith Mackrell, Lin Huwai-min shared insights on his how the dance troupe he founded in 1973 went on to be regarded as the pinnacle of modern dance, and how he believed that new Artistic Director Cheng Tsung-lung (鄭宗龍) will guide Cloud Gate for a new generation.
Representative Lin said in his speech that Lin Hwai-min is a cultural ambassador for Taiwan, and thanks to his hard work, Cloud Gate has become one of Taiwan’s major cultural exports and has cultivated a global reputation. Principal of Trinity Laban Anthony Bowne was also in attendance, and said in his welcome speech he was pleased that Lin Hwai-min could finally visit to give a talk, following them bestowing upon him an Honorary Fellowship in 2018.
A training session was also scheduled on 21 February for students of Trinity Laban to work with senior members of Cloud Gate, where they were introduced to some of the group’s unique techniques inspired by Taiwan culture and martial arts.
On Thursday 20 February Trinity Laban and Ministry of Culture, Taiwan co-hosted a celebratory event for Lin Hwai-Min, Founder of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan.
The special In conversation event was hosted by prominent dance writer Judith Mackrell at the Conservatoire’s Faculty of Dance. Both Lin Hwai-min and Judith Mackrell (pictured L-R) are Honorary Fellows of Trinity Laban. On stage at the Laban Theatre, Lin Hwai-min shared insights into his some of his seminal works and the history and global impact of Cloud Gate on contemporary dance.
“It is incredible to be here as a dancer and choreographer. My life didn’t prepare me for this.” Speaking of his motivation to found the company, Lin Hwai-min explained that he did not set out to be an artist but was instead inspired to discover what Taiwanese modern dance could be, and to engage with society. “It’s not about aesthetics. From day one we set out to serve the community. To do something that was our own, to form a culture, not a copy. Our shows are not just a show. It’s how you influence the fabric of a community. It’s a very rewarding journey.” Founding a company wasn’t without its struggles – “I started a company without having had any professional experience of dance. I made it up as we went along. We sold out more than 3000 tickets for first show of the first season. After that I almost had a nervous breakdown because I didn’t know what I was doing! I thought I’d better learn to choreograph.”
The works that Lin Hwai-min has produced with Cloud Gate are imbued with a distinctive movement style and are routed in the landscape, language and culture of Taiwan. They have played a transformative role in helping the country reclaim its identity. “In the process of choreographing Legacy I realised it was the first theatrical work to deal with the history of Taiwan. I moved the premiere to my home town in the south to be away from censorship. It’s nothing political. It’s a family saga. It’s for my own cleansing of the heavy shadow over our childhood.” Lin Hwai-min stepped down as the Artistic Director of Cloud Gate at the end of 2019 but remains committed to the continuing development of dance as an art form in contemporary culture. “I don’t want Cloud Gate to become a museum.
I want new works to reflect audience experience. We have a wonderful choreographer as the new director. Everything will be the same and better.” Trinity Laban awarded Lin Hwai-min an Honorary Fellowship in 2018 as a tribute to his remarkable life as an artist and educator.
Thursday’s unique event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwain. In his speech at the postevent reception, the Taipei Representative Ambassador in the UK David Yung-Lo Lin said – “Lin hwai min is a legendary choreographer who has played such an important part in elevating and promoting contemporary dance. I salute him for his life accomplishment and hope that he will continue to combine traditional form and modern dance, and unite East and West. He has done such a wonderful job to bring all of us to a wonderful world of dance. “We are honoured to be a sponsor of this very special evening and this is a wonderful experience for all of us.”
Following the evening’s events, Associate Artistic Director of Cloud Gate Ching-Chun Lee and veteran Cloud Gate dancer Su I-ping returned to lead masterclasses with Trinity Laban dance students. Lee is an alum of Trinity Laban, having studied both her BA(hons) in Dance Theatre and MA at the Conservatoire. “My time at Trinity Laban (then called the Laban Centre) has been an inspiration. It helped me become a better dancer and greatly expanded my understanding of the theoretical framework over and above being a practitioner. I am grateful for what I have learnt.