Happy Times

Christmas with friends and collaborators, Chieh-Hua and Kuang-Ying, who in many different ways have supported me in doing this production. I'm so grateful for those who believe in this work and fuel the journey with their joy, compassion and encouragement. The music for the group piece (composed by Kuang-Ying) is finished ahead of the choreography. I wish I had more time to rehearse this piece, but we will at least have completed choreography by the exam date. A structure is forming, sometimes you can't rush the process even if you want to and for good choreography 'Crafting takes time'(Chieh-Hua's words of wisdom. Smiles). I keep learning, every single day, how to do life and how to be an artist. I'm glad for the experience I'm gaining about producing a work (no better teacher than life!), the reality of the art industry requires the constant need of a backup plan. Sometimes collaborations don't work out as well as mine did with Kuang-Ying, and so I want to cherish a friendship and partnership that's been built. I'm working on an 'SOS' basis with a lighting designer I know in India, who will act as a consultant and help me develop a lighting plan for my exam( yes the one in about two weeks time), because with my second lighting collaborator in Taipei there was break in communication. It is sad, but I get the privilege of another online overseas design process. There's a time crunch, but I believe it will work out, and add a richness of layers to the artistic aesthetic as a whole. For things to come and things that will be I fix my gaze steadily on the goal to be achieved, it is within reach and we will get there. In the overall picture, things are getting better, so I will think of and celebrate the 'Happy Times'.

my quest...near the end

Blogging. Because this I can do well. Less than a month to the exam showing. I am pushing past so many difficulties. And in my spirit I am not tired one bit. I just keep going. It is a key issue that this is a team effort and ultimately the result will depend on how well we can work as a team, it's the true test not just my creativity and skill as a choreographer. What are my thoughts at this point of the journey. I am so glad for the distance traveled. Smiles. I remember the first time meeting with my adviser Ming with a folded piece of paper with a highly philosophical outline for what this dance concert should be, and at our next meeting I entered his office with seven big canvases. Big ideas a very broad starting place ...the question, how do you narrow it to one definite point. From vague and abstract and things up in the air...from being so lost and clueless of how to achieve the task before me..."finding" took place...it's been a quest, a long tedious hard difficult quest...but when you have secrets revealed, it is so worthwhile...I can't explain it except to say deep in my heart something resonates inside with the world outside and time stands still for a moment, an aching peace to dwell in...I can still go deeper into what I've found...it's exhilarating as an artistic experience...even though it's very hard. Knowledge, it is so powerful. I want to know more. I'm still so hungry to learn.

Sketches with Dumile

The final designs for our costume collaboration are done and the dresses will ready in a couple of weeks. I am grateful for moving forward step by step.