NEW YORK—As an interior designer for nearly 20 years, Ms. Jolie Korek was impressed with what Shen Yun Performing Arts brought to their set—5,000 years of Chinese civilization, a vast and independent dance form, a digital backdrop, and inspiring use of balance and color.
“I think that it’s really beautiful,” Ms. Korek said of the artistry. She attended a matinee at Lincoln Center on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Ms. Korek, of Jolie Korek & Company, has worked on residential and commercial projects in Manhattan, the Hamptons, and Westchester County. Her projects have been featured in Elle Decor, New York Times, Architecture Digest.
New York-based Shen Yun revives the divinely inspired Chinese culture through the universal languages of music and dance. The culture was once nearly lost under 60-some years of atheist communist rule.
Today, as Shen Yun’s website explains, the communist regime has tried to replicate some of the arts in form. But it does so in a way that lacks the authentic traditional Chinese culture and values, like benevolence, justice, and respect for the divine.
Ms. Korek felt it was unfortunate Shen Yun could not be seen in China, but an intriguing experience for anyone who could see it outside of China.
“They’re bringing Chinese culture—and parts of it that are really old—to the set,” Ms. Korek said. She noted several unique aspects.
For instance, the animated backdrop allows the performers to jump in and out of the scene, from stage to screen and back. The backdrop also shows vivid scenes from myths and legends to landscapes of the different regions of China.
The costumes, too, are colorful and many. Shen Yun’s dancers wear heavenly regalia, traditional Han Chinese clothing, and ethnic costumes from China’s 50-plus ethnic minority groups. The traditional clothing was rich and multifaceted in design, according to Shen Yun’s website, because it was said it was inspired by the heavens and held a special connection.
“It’s really classic, and I love classic design, so I love the balance,” Ms. Korek said. “It makes me very happy to see that.”
Reporting by Sherry Dong and Catherine Yang
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
