Students Learn to Dance Chinese Calligraphy

A dance student examines characters in Chinese calligraphy during Nai-Ni Chen's seminar on dance composition

A video projector displays gigantic Chinese characters onto a 25-foot, white-washed dance studio wall in the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) building. Dozens of captivated students listen from the floor as visiting artist Nai-Ni Chen describes the intricacies of calligraphy composition. Chinese calligraphy, she explains, is a form of visual art full of motion, energy, and expression. The resulting characters provide insight to the writer's personality and artistry. As insightful as her presentation is, Chen is not really teaching calligraphy — she's teaching modern dance.

Chen leads the Nai-Ni Dance Company, which tours universities, dance studios and theaters throughout the country. Her choreography blends ancient Chinese culture and art with modern Western dance styling.

«Chinese calligraphy is very beautiful, and I loved seeing how a piece of art can inspire dance movements,» said Ploy Preugpaibel, a junior majoring in dance.

Chen has found many inspirations from her childhood in Taiwan — including calligraphy — to apply to her modern dance company's choreography. She compares composing choreography to Chinese martial arts, saying both consist of three inner elements: flow of energy, concentration and spirit. Then she takes these ideas and puts them into motion.

A short, twisting brush stroke in calligraphy is symbolized through the jab and twist of an open palm in her choreography. The students follow her lead and then make the movement their own by using a different body part, motion or tempo. The result is groups of students dancing the Chinese symbol for «heart» in their own, unique style.

Chen isn't the only visiting performer the class will benefit from. Every year, the program tries to bring in at least two visiting choreographers to expose students to different forms of dance. And visiting performers are often invited into classrooms in many academic programs throughout the campus.

«We try to pair every performance of the season with an academic group from Indiana University,» said Doug Booher, director of the IU Auditorium. «We wouldn't be comfortable with the job we're doing if this amazing dance company came to town and wasn't working with some of our students.»

Chen's choreography has been described as, «Essentially recreated nature,» and, «like endlessly proliferating forces of cosmic energy,» by the New York Times. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is in its 20th year of touring America with its unique blend of Chinese culture and American dance. Chen's decades of experience allow her to bring unique perspectives to classrooms and the students who are eager to learn.

Recently, the Nai-Ni Dance Company was honored by a distinctive grant award from both the President's Committee on Arts and Humanities and the Department of State to represent the United States in a seven-city tour arranged by the Tamaulipas International Arts Festival in Mexico.

«It's very rewarding to share my knowledge and experience after so many years performing on the stage,» said Chen. «I enjoy traveling and meeting different students in different places. In addition to their daily training, I can add professional experience in the real world to their educations.»

Source: IU News Room