Based on a series of classical Chinese poems by Qu Yuan, Nine Songs draws on ancient imagery and sensibilities to create a thoroughly contemporary piece,
in which distant and recent pasts collide. Received to great acclaim across the globe, the dance reflects the cycles of nature, echoing the rich verses found in the original poetic text.
A Sadler’s Wells commission, Rice was created to celebrate Cloud Gate’s 40th anniversary, and is inspired by the landscape and story of Chihshang in the East Rift Valley of Taiwan. Previously tainted by the use of chemical fertilizer, this farming village has now regained its title as Land of Emperor Rice by adopting organic farming. Featuring folksongs in Hakka - the oldest among the existing Chinese dialects - and operatic arias from the West, this is a stunning, thought-provoking piece of dance.
