Legendary artistic director and founder of globally renowned modern dance company Cloud Gate Dance Theatre Lin Hwai-min will retire by the end of 2019, the dance company announced Nov. 22.
According to Cloud Gate, the theater’s board of directors accepted Lin’s decision to step down from his role as artistic director after four decades. The 70-year-old choreographer will retain his seat on the board, while Cheng Tsung-lung, artistic director of Cloud Gate 2, will take over the position left vacant by Lin.
Cloud Gate was formed in 1973 as the first professional modern dance troupe in Taiwan and has become one of the country’s major cultural exports. Lin founded Cloud Gate 2 with dancer Lo Man-fei in 1999 to showcase emerging talents through original choreography.
Over the course of more than four decades, Cloud Gate has cultivated a global reputation for cutting-edge performances, embarking on international tours across Asia, Europe and North and South America.
On top of his achievements in choreography, Lin has worked to cultivate young artistic talents. In addition to Cloud Gate 2, Lin founded Taipei National University of the Arts’ Dance Department in 1983, and helped launch the Wanderer program and Art Makers Project, which provide subsides for young artists seeking to find inspiration and implement their creative ideas.
As of this year, the programs have provided financial support for 120 local artists and 12 individual projects, respectively.
Lin has received numerous honors from prominent institutions across the world in recognition of his choreography and efforts to promote the arts, including the National Awards for Arts in 2002, the National Cultural Awards in 2003, Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture in 2008, and the 2013 Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for lifetime achievement.
According to the dance company, Lin’s latest production, “Formosa,” will premiere Nov. 24 at the National Theater and tour nationwide through Dec. 24. (CPY-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw