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Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

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Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#41

Post by clairity »

chb wrote: post #17

Embarrassed to say that my wife and I were duped into purchasing tickets to the show. We had thought it would be a highly choreographed, theatrical re-enactment of significant events in pre-Mao China, and had not done any research on it. Instead, it was horribly amateurish propaganda (the entire "set" was a projected CG image). Heavy-handed plays for sympathy and the demonization of the Chinese state culminated in a…

interesting, i wasn't bothered by the propaganda at all. the fable they wove through the story was a bit simplistic but otherwise a fun diversion. the dancing was mostly good but not "the best". it wasn't all that different from modern chinese wuxia dramas: a little bit of rebelliousness underlying an uncomplicated morality tale.

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#42

Post by salty_biscuits »

HillaryBriss wrote: post #32
forkLding wrote: post #13

For those who don't know, Falun Gong is perceived like the Chinese version of Scientology in China, although a lot of injustice was done to Falun Gong followers and most of their assets frozen, there isn't much sympathy for them and they're typically regarded as a bit weird, believing in Qi, faith healing and all that.

is believing in Qi a fringe belief in China nowadays?

Someone once told me that the authorities in China are a bit hypersensitive to organized woo, mostly as a reaction to the boxer rebellion. I don't know what to believe.

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#44

Post by stcredzero »

thewakalix wrote: post #39
stcredzero wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been once too. The acrobatics and dance and production values are quite professional and nice. But the side-trips into propaganda made me feel like I had been deceived by the advertising, which really turned me off. Propaganda makes for mediocre art. I think one of the seminal essays to that effect was actually written by a prominent propagandist. It's a very important idea for 2019.

Was the essay any good?

Don't know but the YouTube video about it was okay. I'll have to search it down.

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#45

Post by Simon_says »

hvs wrote: post #9

My family and I went a couple of years ago. It seemed fairly benign, if a bit corny/garish. The whole "evolution is evil" thing kind of comes out of nowhere. Afterwards I looked up the group behind it and read about Falun Dafa. It won't convince anyone to join their group, but it probably raises a fair amount of funds for it. As entertainment it is moderately interesting, but I wouldn't go again.

I believe evolution is evil, too. Doesn't mean it's not true.

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#46

Post by tathougies »

chb wrote: post #17

Embarrassed to say that my wife and I were duped into purchasing tickets to the show. We had thought it would be a highly choreographed, theatrical re-enactment of significant events in pre-Mao China, and had not done any research on it. Instead, it was horribly amateurish propaganda (the entire "set" was a projected CG image). Heavy-handed plays for sympathy and the demonization of the Chinese state culminated in a…

Having grown up with many East Asians, I often times see people confuse East Asian aesthetics with looking 'amateur' to American eyes. I have not seen the show myself, but I wonder how much of this is going on.

But, honestly, I'm surprised you were surprised by the political bent. I thought it was common knowledge that the Chinese government's suppression of traditional chinese art led to a diaspora. I guess having a Chinese piano teacher who fled for similar reasons changes your perspective.

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#47

Post by obiefernandez »

I got duped into buying tickets to this show for my wife as an anniversary present a couple years ago. (This was in Atlanta, GA) We spent the first half in utter disbelief of the crap we were witnessing, and left in disgust during intermission. However we were definitely in the minority, and found that very puzzling. Maybe the political religious stuff was going over most people's heads?

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#48

Post by pthomas551 »

tathougies wrote: post #46
chb wrote: post #17

Embarrassed to say that my wife and I were duped into purchasing tickets to the show. We had thought it would be a highly choreographed, theatrical re-enactment of significant events in pre-Mao China, and had not done any research on it. Instead, it was horribly amateurish propaganda (the entire "set" was a projected CG image). Heavy-handed plays for sympathy and the demonization of the Chinese state culminated in a…

Having grown up with many East Asians, I often times see people confuse East Asian aesthetics with looking 'amateur' to American eyes. I have not seen the show myself, but I wonder how much of this is going on. But, honestly, I'm surprised you were surprised by the political bent. I thought it was common knowledge that the Chinese government's suppression of traditional chinese art led to a diaspora. I guess having a…

Shen Yun is run by Falun Gong, which is a Scientology-like cult. Their followers may be heavily oppressed in China, which is wrong, but it's still a cult. We're not talking about traditional performers who fled during the Cultural Revolution or something.

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#49

Post by microdrum »

hvs wrote: post #9

My family and I went a couple of years ago. It seemed fairly benign, if a bit corny/garish. The whole "evolution is evil" thing kind of comes out of nowhere. Afterwards I looked up the group behind it and read about Falun Dafa. It won't convince anyone to join their group, but it probably raises a fair amount of funds for it. As entertainment it is moderately interesting, but I wouldn't go again.

It’s possible to believe that “evolution is evil” and acknowledge the strength of the theory, too.

Science Belief 1: Evolution.

Simultaneous Religious Belief 1: Humans have souls and are special, elevated beings existing above the realm of the animals.

You’d be surprised how many smart people believe both!

Re: Stepping into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun

#50

Post by trevyn »

tathougies wrote: post #46
chb wrote: post #17

Embarrassed to say that my wife and I were duped into purchasing tickets to the show. We had thought it would be a highly choreographed, theatrical re-enactment of significant events in pre-Mao China, and had not done any research on it. Instead, it was horribly amateurish propaganda (the entire "set" was a projected CG image). Heavy-handed plays for sympathy and the demonization of the Chinese state culminated in a…

Having grown up with many East Asians, I often times see people confuse East Asian aesthetics with looking 'amateur' to American eyes. I have not seen the show myself, but I wonder how much of this is going on. But, honestly, I'm surprised you were surprised by the political bent. I thought it was common knowledge that the Chinese government's suppression of traditional chinese art led to a diaspora. I guess having a…

>I often times see people confuse East Asian aesthetics with looking 'amateur' to American eyes.

I’m guessing that both are driven strongly by economics, so it makes sense that there is some perceptual overlap.

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