SAN FRANCISCO—”It is very deep, and I really appreciate that,” said professional portrait artist Ms. Alessandra Valentini about Shen Yun Performing Arts’ opening show at the SHN Orpheum Theatre Wednesday night.
Ms. Valentini said that as a child, she inexplicably fell in love with China and the spirituality of the culture.
“Because back then, China was not what it is today,” Ms. Valentini said. “The show [Shen Yun] is working on bringing that aspect back, and bringing that part of the Chinese culture into the Western world.”
“The aspect of Buddhism and Guanyin … and spirituality is nowadays being brought back,” Ms. Valentini said. “So I really appreciate that.”
New York-based Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of divinely-inspired culture through traditional arts like classical Chinese dance.
Being able to watch the show made Ms. Valentini feel happy, she said, as she was able to see a side of China not present under the country’s current regime.
“I really love China and I really love the culture,” Ms. Valentini said.
“They touched on certain topics, like the meditation [Falun Gong], the persecution that’s going on in China,” Ms. Valentini said. “I really appreciate that.”
“It’s something really to become aware of,” Ms. Valentini said.
As an artist, Shen Yun’s intricate costumes and digital backdrop were one of the first things to catch her eye.
“The costumes are amazing, and the dancers are extremely impeccable,” Ms. Valentini said.
With perfect timing and an animated backdrop, the performers are able to transition seamlessly from stage to screen. “It’s really an amazing thing,” Ms. Valentini said.
“I think it’s innovative,” she said of the backdrop. “It’s very inspiring.”
“I’d say go to have an amazing experience. Just spend two hours of your life that will really enrich you culturally, spiritually, visually, musically, in so many ways,” Ms. Valentini said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Catherine Yang
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company is performing in San Francisco, at the SHN Orpheum Theatre, March 20-24. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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