“Dynamic Yunnan (云南印象)” is a stage production that seamlessly integrates traditional and contemporary elements, showcasing the essence of original folk songs and dances alongside classic ethnic dances. It encapsulates the rich ethnic diversity of Yunnan, presenting a vibrant tapestry of cultural expressions. This production is not merely a spontaneous creation but a continuation of the ethnic soul and roots. Seventy percent of the performers in “Dynamic Yunnan” are local ethnic minority actors hailing from various regions and even the fields of Yunnan.
The performance consists of seven acts: “Chaotic Genesis,” “Sun,” “Land,” “Homeland,” “Fire Sacrifice,” “Pilgrimage,” and “Spirit of the Peacock.” Each act delves into the reverence for nature and the love for life prevalent among Yunnan’s ethnic minorities. The choreography blends the essence of original rural folk songs and ethnic dance vocabulary, portraying the diligence and simplicity of the minority groups with innovative artistic concepts. The body language incorporates elements from various ethnic dances such as Yi, Miao, Tibetan, Dai, Bai, and Hani.
The opening act unfolds amidst the resounding beats of 60 large drums, evoking the vibrant vitality of life from the red soil. Even when women are drumming, one can feel the pulsating energy of the land. The grand finale features Yang Liping leading a dance of 60 “peacocks,” symbolizing the “spirit of the peacock.” Throughout the performance, all singing and dancing are performed live, and the costumes worn by the performers are replicas of the attire worn by ethnic minorities in their daily lives.
“Dynamic Yunnan” incorporates a plethora of movable, lifting, and transforming stage props. One hundred and eighty masks featuring Yunnan’s distinctive characteristics, ox heads, Mani stones, and prayer wheels traverse between ancient and modern realms amidst the mesmerizing stage lighting, creating an ecological emotional narrative amidst temporal and visual dislocations.
Location and Transportation
The “Dynamic Yunnan” is performed in the Yunnan Art Theatre (云南艺术剧院), one of the iconic cultural landmarks of Yunnan Province from the 1950s and 1960s. It is situated at 81 Dongfeng West Road, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 5, 10, 26, 52, 66, 82, 84, 98, 116, 124, 207, or K13 and get off at Art Theatre Stop (艺术剧院站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Yunnan Art Theater is Wuyi Road (五一路站) on line 3 and line 5. After getting out of the station from Exit C, walk about 400 meters to the northwest to reach the place.
