WAVES is the latest production from Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater (The Times) that returns to Japan after a long absence. Founded over fifty years ago as the first contemporary dance company in the Chinese-speaking world, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre has staged many innovative performances since Cheng Tsung-lung became artistic director in 2020. Created in collaboration with artist, composer, and programmer Manabe Daito, “WAVES” explores the notion of waves as a dynamic energy from the body, and through the the fusion of dance, music, and visual media, the work invites audience into a world of new physical sensations where you ‘imagine the invisible body’. Since its 2023 premiere, “WAVES” has garnered acclaim, including at the 2024 Venice Biennale (Dance section).
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan " WAVES "
- 12.13 [Sat] 15:00
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
" WAVES "
- Choreography & Concept： CHENG Tsung-lung
- Concept, Visuals Design, Music, Programming： Manabe Daito
- Co-commissioned： ROHM Theatre Kyoto (Kyoto City Music Art Cultural Promoting Foundation), Kyoto City, Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center
- Supported： the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Arts Council, Taiwan Ministry of Culture, Taiwan Cultural Center (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office)
- Co-production： National Performing Arts Center –National Theater & Concert Hall, National Taichung Theater, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)
- ---------------------------：
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●Performance in Kyoto
Venue:Main Hall, ROHM Theatre Kyoto
Time & Date:7PM on Wednesday December 17
https://rohmtheatrekyoto.jp/event/134425/
●Performance in Kitakyushu
Venue:Medium theater, Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center
Time & Date:3PM on Sunday December 21
https://q-geki.jp/events/2025/cloudgate-waves/
©LEE Chia-yeh
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Cloud Gate is the name of the oldest known dance in China. In 1973, choreographer LIN Hwai-min adopted this classical name and founded the first contemporary dance company in the greater Chinese-speaking community. In 2020, CHENG Tsung-lung succeeded LIN as the company’s Artistic Director. In 2023, Cloud Gate celebrated its 50th anniversary.
©LEE Chia-yeh
CHENG Tsung-lung
CHENG Tsung-lung became the Artistic Director of the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan in 2020 when he succeeded founder LIN Hwai-min. CHENG Tsung-lung has been honored with prizes internationally and at home and has collaborated with companies worldwide. Recent examples of his work in the Cloud Gate repertoire include 13 Tongues (2016), drawing on his experiences of street life and achieving over 100 global performances since its creation; Lunar Halo (2019), featuring a soundtrack collaboration with Sigur Rós, which was selected by the Telegraph as one of the “Best of 2023 Dance” and described as “a luminously and bleakly beautiful take on the internet-infested 21st century”.
Manabe Daito
Born in Tokyo in 1976. Raised by musician parents, he grew up immersed in music and programming. After working as a DJ and in jazz bands, he was influenced by Xenakis while studying at Tokyo University of Science, leading him to begin researching mathematical approaches to music generation—an inquiry that would form the foundation of his creative practice. In 2006, he founded Rhizomatiks, exploring the fusion of technology and physical expression, this evolved into innovative projects like the AR production for the Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony. He has collaborated extensively with artists including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Björk, Nosaj Thing, Squarepusher, and Arca, presenting his distinctive audio-visual performances at international festivals such as Sónar Barcelona. In recent years, through collaborations with neuroscientists, he has created works merging life and machinery, including biofeedback systems using cultured nerve cells. He currently heads Studio Daito Manabe, pursuing cross-disciplinary expression spanning art, technology, and science.