In Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s Wind Shadow, choreographic genius Lin Hwai-Min has created a contemporary dance work that makes shadows come alive.

Joining forces with leading Chinese visual artist Cai Guo-Qiang, Wind Shadow is a study of motion created through the monochromatic palettes of black and white and the use of light and shade.

Set to a haunting soundscape, the dancers capture the intangible quality of the wind and the variable structure of shadows. Projections of Cai’s gunpowder drawings merge into silhouettes and form a moving art installation within which the dancers engage.

Founded in 1973 as the first contemporary dance company in any Chinese-speaking community, the 24 dancers of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan have received training in Tai Chi Tao Yin (an ancient form of Chi Kung), meditation, martial arts, modern dance, ballet and calligraphy.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan has appeared at many international festivals including Pina Bausch’s Internationales Tanzfest in Wuppertal, Germany where Wind Shadow had its world premiere. In London, the company has appeared several times at Sadler’s Wells and as part of bite04 with Bamboo Dream.

Please be aware that Wind Shadow contains laser lighting and sound effects of fireworks.

Wind Shadow appears at the Barbican as part of Dance Umbrella 2009.

Find out more about the rich variety of West End shows on offer in Theatreland.