As Four Step

As Four Step

2015
Choreographer｜Baru MADILJIN

Origin from the concept of Paiwanese traditional dance steps. Not to description stories but to bring up the aesthetics notion of modern Paiwan dance. Though the pure body to interpretation the aboriginal culture development and to show clearly the unique contemporary body symbol of Paiwan.
-
What is “As Four Step”?
Choreographer, MADILIN‧BARU, uses the simplest dance step to show up the reality, touches the past memories, when preparing to farewell by waving hands but to step back and to gather again. “As Four Step”, seems nothing, seems déjà-vu, seems has danced but actually didn’t dance before, seems under the foot, seems messy but pass through by the lightness movement without regrets.

According to Artistic Director LJUZEM MADILJIM, the four-step-dance only can be seen in the important festival of Paiwan, but their latest dance work “As Four Step” is origin from lives and breaths. There are many codes and much more symbols in the piece, such as: the audiences will hear the dancers repeat four numbers: 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Paiwanese language and learn it easily.

Dance out the mood, between the illusion and the reality, the Paiwanese four-step-dance is the “As Four Step.”

Events

2017 Invited to perform in Odoru, Akita, Japan
2017 Selected to perform in Festival Off Avignon, France
-
2016 Invited to perform in Cervantes International Art Festival, Mexico
2016 Invited to perform in Festival Internacional Julio Torri, Mexico
-
2015 Nominated for the 14th Taishin Arts Award
-
Premiere in 2015

Reviews from #FestivalOffAvignon

“This work not only inheritted the traditional etiquette and custom from the ancient times, but also continued the spirit of Martha Graham. The endless changes based on the abstract concepts led the audience into wonderland.”

- Le Figaro / Ariane Bavellier

“'As Four Step' deconstructed and reconstructed the traditional four-step dance of the Paiwan people, delivering the cultural codes of the Paiwan people through pure and full physical rhythm. This dance work was rhythmical. The music used covered electronic music and ancient tunes of the indigenous people. The audience was amazed by the power an depth of this work.”

- The Newtalk / He-Rong Chiu

“This is a successful and fascinating piece with a clear structure. It led everyone in the audience to an unknown universe and left them some unforgettable sensual experiences. Finally, with the recognition of the judges, it totally conquerred the audience, achieving a complete success.”

- The Provences Herald

“This kind of traditional dance had to be completely deconstructed, reconstructed, and then combined in a smoother form. Visually, it completely blended into the modernity, creating the charming harmony. With the electronic music and the steady and powerful lighting effects, Baru Madiljin found a perfect balance between the ancient tradition and the modernity.”

- théâtres.com / Audrey Jean

“They lived in a tribe and learned to sing traditional songs. Their bodies caught a certain rhythm. And their limbs showed the audience the tribal views on the hills and by the rivers.”

- CNA News / Yi-Hsuan, Tseng

“From the viewpoints of philosophy and aesthetics, the performance team ‘s work was based on the Paiwan culture. They did not aim to preserve and pass on hundreds of years of affections. Instead, they followed the trend and went beyond the tradition. This creation was a kind of integration. It was not out of reason, but passion. It was passion that fueled their energy and made this performance so beautiful.”

- théâtrorama / Henri Guette

“The dance is like a singing voice, going right through you and taking over your physical body. It went in to the ancient soul which you didn’t even know about, like the trace left when humans went from the nature to a culture, like that source of life.”

- Envrak Webzine / Jean Barak

Reviews from #Mexico

“As Four Step captured a boundless and limitless world. There was sophisticated, delicate, and subtle imagery in all aspects, including lighting, sound effects, and dancers’ body languages.”

- Front page, ZOCALO SALTILLO, Mexico

“As Four Step had drawn all the audience’s attention, as if stealing the whole evening of Saltillo, Mexico! Moreover, the dancer’s body languages were like movements of flying birds and swimming fish, so natural and lively. ‘As Four Step’ is definitely a high-quality work which can touch people’s heart.”
- Front page, EL DIARIO, Mexico

Reviews from #Taiwan

“Steady breath with consistent rhythm, movements as kaleidoscope’s myriads of changes, rich visual effects without dazzle --- all elements form the pure, clear but vivid imagery based on the simplicity of theatre design. As Four Step is earnest and has a rich cultural heritage. It can intrigue the audience’s common sensation in the contemporary society, lingering deeply and profoundly.”

- Artplus HK, Art Map / Luo, Feng

“Originating from the concept of Paiwanese dance steps, As Four Step, the production of Tjimur Dance Theatre, simply communicates with audience through body movement. As Four Step is the homonym of Paiwanese traditional dance, which can only be seen in Paiwan’s important festival. Deconstructing and recomposing dance steps by choreographer Baru Madiljin and dancers, combining western dance training and Paiwanese movement with contemporary theatre’s light and space design. The work transforms tradition into modern dance for Paiwanese youths of the present age.”

- Performing Arts Review / Wu, Meng-Xuan

“As Four Step, choreographed by Baru Madiljin, is homonym of Paiwan’s dance. The dance steps (step left forward beside left, step right forward beside right, step left back beside left, step right back beside right) are commonly seen in Paiwanese festival, transforming into modern form with shifting physical movements. And most incredibly, the harmonic breath and rhythm among 4 dancers, originating from lives of vitality and strength, is not only the coordination of tempo, rhythm, movement, and emotion. For an exactly speaking, three men and one woman in one spirit express their feelings in modern dance regarding the scene, the sense, and the observation of tribal lives.”

- Taishin Arts Award Nominator / Chang, Xiao-Hong

Production Team

Artistic Director ｜Ljuzem Madiljin
Choreographer｜Baru Madiljin
Performer｜Chu-Yuan Hsu, Ching-Hao Yang, Ljaucu Dapukarac, Tzu-En Meng, Terudj Tjucenglav
Costume Designer｜Baru Madiljin
Technical Director and Lighting Design｜Yu-Cheng Lin
Stage Manger ｜Yin-Ping Li
Costume Producer｜Shatao Lazurite Studio
Make-up Designer｜Jyun-Guang Pan
Graphic Design｜Jhao-Lun Huang
Photographer｜Jhao-Lun Huang (Pingtung), Sandy Ouyang (Taipei)
Video Filming｜Zhi-Ming Yang
Company Manger ｜Shu-Ting Chiu
International Affairs Coordinator｜ I-Hsuan Li