Dance Drama "Crested Ibis": The pain of reality that tears apart the beauty of lightness
March 26, 2015 15:17 | Source: Xinmin Evening News
Original title: The dance drama "Crested Ibis": the real pain of tearing apart the beauty of lightness
The dance drama "Crested Ibis" takes the internationally rare protected bird crested ibis as the theme, showing the relationship between human beings and nature, the environment, and the environment in the process of modern social modernization and urbanization. Companionship with various living beings, a relationship of mutual support and mutual destiny. When I first read this introduction, I couldn't help but wonder, how could such a complex and heavy topic be presented in a dance drama that is known for its beauty? After watching the dance drama "Crested Ibis" originally produced by the Shanghai Song and Dance Troupe at the Shanghai Grand Theater a few days ago, I couldn't help but be impressed by it.
"Crested Ibis" is divided into two parts. The first part shows the beautiful scene of the simple villagers and the elegant crested ibis living in harmony in the farming era. The female dancers wear red dance shoes, short in front and long in back, mainly white with orange-red "feather coats" in between, vividly showing the graceful shape of the crested ibis. When the dancers dance, they have classical ballet, The unique rhythm and beauty of Chinese folk dances vividly present the reserve and nobility of the crested ibis, especially the subtle movements such as the tapping and turning of the head, which resemble those of the bird. The pas de deux between the Ibis Fairy and the Woodcutter is affectionate and romantic. Among them, the details of the Woodcutter’s imitation of the Ibis Fairy’s dance moves make people smile. The Woodcutter’s clumsy imitation at the beginning, then his agile dance, and finally the Woodcutter and the Ibis Fairy become one. The harmonious love dance embodies the harmony and emotional connection between humans and crested ibises. This sincere emotion between different creatures has far surpassed the realm of secular love.
These ethereal scenes suddenly disappeared without a trace in the second part of the dance drama. The background of the stage changed into a desolate ruins. Under the dim lights, a group of dancers wearing gray costumes danced. In modern dance, their expressions were gloomy, their movements were mechanical, and they even bent their arms to cover their mouths and noses, making the audience immediately think of the bad environment and bad air they were in. It has a very modern atmosphere and a depressing and gloomy atmosphere. In a trance, people have the illusion that they have traveled to another dance drama. However, the feathers floating in the air and being quickly thrown away by passers-by make people miss the crested ibis. At this time, the Ibis Fairy appeared again. The chest of "Hagoromo" had changed from pink-orange to gray-black. The originally elegant and light dance posture became anxious and heavy. Her pas de deux with the young man was still lingering, but full of emotions. Sadness, feeling the pain of life under the danger of the environment.
From the first part to the next part, switching directly from ancient times to modern times, the confrontation between two extremely opposite stage effects greatly enhances the dramatic tension and makes people feel the pain of being torn apart. Just entering the next chapter, the audience was still lingering over the dancing postures of the "auspicious birds" lining up, but what appeared in front of them was the death of the crested ibises after the living environment was destroyed. The tragic life was strangled, and they couldn't help but It evokes the real pain of people who are suffering from the consequences of environmental destruction. In the second half of the second part, the crested ibis becomes a specimen in the museum, and students come here to observe. The scene narrative in this part is a bit abrupt, but it also reflects the director's intention to directly cut the perspective into reality. At the end of the dance drama, the crested ibis was reborn, which also symbolized the auspicious sign of the revival of the crested ibis, which was once on the verge of extinction. At this time, the beauty reappeared on the stage became even more precious. If the dance drama "Crested Ibis" stops at the beauty of the previous part, then it can only achieve a shallow aesthetic level that is pleasing to the eye. Fortunately, with the realistic presentation of the beauty being torn apart in the second part, it can trigger people's skin-cut pain and arouse Deep reflection.
With simple and simple stage design, freehand dance vocabulary, and strong visual impact in the arrangement, the dance drama highlights a profound theme with its unique artistic charm: calling for eternal treasure for what has been lost. At the same time, it is precisely because of the heavy conception and rich literary connotation that the light beauty of the crested ibises has a deeper internal support.