(Clearwisdom.net)

"Quite an artistic endeavor," Says Art Director and Composer

While watching the New York-based company's show at the Detroit Opera House, Saturday January 2, Augustus Hill, an art director and composer, said he focused on the orchestra's performance. "I just like the way it was composed, the way the instruments were used to complement the dancers. It takes quite an artistic endeavor to do that," remarked Mr. Hill, whose own work, Exegesis was performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Overall, Mr. Hill was impressed by the caliber of the show.

In addition to the music, Mr. Hill said he really enjoyed the performers' costuming, and the way the colors blended together.

Overall, Mr. Hill was impressed by the caliber of the show. "You can tell right away that everybody that's up there is an outstanding performer," he said, giving the show his blessing: "I would recommend it ... to everyone, I think this is the kind of thing that everyone can see and learn from."

Film Producer: 'It's a spark of the divine'

A film producer, Mr. Simper, took his family to see Shun Yun perform on Jan. 3.

Ms. Palanca, Mr. Simper, and their daughter

Mr. Simpler's wife, Ms. Palanca, said: "That was very beautiful, just mind-blowing in terms of the costumes, the colors, the movement, it was really inspiring. There's so much creativity, there's the East meets West in the music, and it was just beautiful."

Mr. Simper: " I thought it was a spectacular show. The way the expressions were--not only great movements and great stories--but they were transcending ... those just physical arts and going into ... the spiritual arts. [They] freed the ancient stories from China from the limits of the communist regime.

"[At first] I didn't realize that [the show] was not from China so when all of a sudden they start talking about helping to raise people's awareness about the Falun Gong, people imprisoned, and all of the abuse--it was very moving, because people need to know about that.

"I think [Shen Yun is] really a wonderful way of expressing the adversity that's in our world, specifically China, and the way they did that by creatively showing [it] was perfect. It was entertaining, yet it was enlightening at the same time. So I thought it was a really good balance. And [for] even a kid of 3 1/2 ... it was fine for her to see--to be introduced to this is how the world is. [Shen Yun does] it in a way that's not ... damaging as on film or in television where there's so much violence.

"I sensed that they were delivering a message of spiritual enlightenment for our communities and for people who are open to this divine essence within us and in our universe. It's perfect! I feel that this performance was ... able to access that universal message of spirituality and peace for all and that's quite a feat so I think it was very successful," said Mr. Simper.

"It has a message of peace, compassion, and hope. Hope for transition and peaceful transitions," added Ms. Palanca.

"At all levels, [the show] helps us to think about what has happened and some of the great stories and myths ... and how we can learn from that. Overall, I think it's integration, not forgetting about our past, and helping [us] use the past to be even stronger in the present, and to teach our children better," said Ms. Palanca.

"I'm familiar with a lot of the spiritual thinking and I have a close affinity for Daoism and also my heritage from Native-American culture and their belief system. It's kind of hard to meditate on the abstract idea of a creator. So I think it's good to have these more humanistic [forms like Jesus and Buddha] When I saw the deities coming in and the Buddhas and everything, I thought, 'Wow! You can really feel like it's a spark of the divine.' So I liked that."

Adapted from:

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/27371/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/27341/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/27466/