Awakenings 1.Ting Tan Chin Listen to Quil Xian by cindywang

Awakenings-2.Chun Xiao A Spring Morning by cindywang

The poems Ting Tan Chin: Listen to Quil Xian and Chun Xiao: A Spring Morning were composed during the Tang Dynasty by Liu Chang Qin and Mong Hau-Tua respectively.
During this time, the dynasty was quite corrupt. The poets wrote these poems to hint at their concern with their country and to present their frustration towards the situation.
Awakening is a piece focusing on the reading of the poems. During Chinese poetry reading, the reader often exaggerates the natural tune of the language to achieve a dramatic effect.
This piece combines the dramatic and theatrical style with Chinese ink painting.
Chinese ink painters use called "Keeping Blank." Instead of layering the colors, the Chinese painter will use the white space of the canvas to direct a viewer’s attention.
They use the paint to surround a work’s focal point. I have always been intrigued by this special characteristic of Chinese.
The contrast of black and white ink is represented by the contrast of the music and silence.
The performers are framing the rests with fragments of poetry.