Of Man and Object

In the world bordering on man and object
We are both trying to define
this boundary
Therefore, man’s language of expression opens up and develops
You and I are creating this special
piece, portrait and landscape,
everything keeps changing and evolving.

“Of Man and Object” is contemporary choreographer Liou Shaw-lu’s naïve and moving glance at the times and the world.

Modern dance sees the liberation of man. It is the dance of people, who are free. Because the circumstances, which modern dance deals with, have to do with a material world, what it leaves behind is aesthetics having something to do with matter or object. A person can change into an object. An object can transform a person’s thrust and moving sensation.

Let’s not determine here what is right and what is wrong. Taiwanese choreographer Liou’s creative output over a period of nearly 20 years has shown his sensitivity in responding to the circumstances, which turn a person into an object. His work also reflects a Taiwanese person’s efforts through modern dance to try and refine something as well as to extricate himself from something. “Of Man and Object” is the outcome of a directional process taken by this piece of choreography.

Starting with Kandinsky’s dots and lines, experiencing the aesthetics of Bauhaus art and architecture, until the material disorder of the 1960s, the body distortion, and the chaos of direction, among others, Liou been inspired to create “Of Man and Object,”taking care to incorporate points and issues of modern aesthetics as well as to make commentary and contribution. Therefore, this naïve and deeply moving glimpse by way of modern dance deserves the world’s and not just Taiwan’s attention.

( Translate from Nancy T. Lu )