Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting
The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting is a poetic dance drama divided into seven chapters, including “Unfolding the Scroll”, “Tracing the Seal”, “Reeling the Silk”, “Pursuing the Stone”, “Making the Brush”, “Grinding the Ink” and “Into the Painting”. The show tells the story of a modern-day cultural relic researcher who, on the eve of the exhibition of A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, delves deeply into the inner world of the Northern Song Dynasty painter Wang Ximeng. Transported back 900 years, the researcher witnesses the young artist’s dedication as he collaborates with countless artisans to create this timeless scroll. Through movement and visual staging, the production brings to life the grandeur of China’s landscapes and bridges past and present.
Since its premiere at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing in August 2021, Poetic Dance Drama "The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting" has quickly become a phenomenon-level cultural IP. The show has toured more than 70 cities in China and has been performed in countries such as Singapore, Turkey, with more than 640 performances to sold-out audiences. It has won several awards, including China's highest prize for the arts—the 17th Wenhua Award and the 2022 China Copyright Gold Award. The show's popularity surged internationally, sparking as "the action of Green" after it was featured on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala, reaching an audience of over 8 billion.
In October 2024, The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting was also adapted into a film and a symphonic concert, using multiple artistic forms to elevate Chinese aesthetics to new heights.
Chapters
I know that one day, this painting will perish in time, just like the people it encounters. However, such a scenario shall never come to be as long as I am here as its keeper!
Unfolding the Scroll
That which is called Zhuan is the name of a seal. Young man, I shall pluck your name from the chilly branches and turn it into a seal, so as to leave traces of your worldly existence!
Tracing the Seal
Every inch of the silk produced by silkworms is of gold, as every strand reflects the delicate care of the silkworm breeders. We have woven it with our hearts and souls, and from now on we shall see how you fill it with your words!
Reeling the Silk
If I take one step less, the thousand years stone will not be found; if I pestle an inch more, the thousand years colour will not last. Young man, you can paint mountains and rivers with your brush, only if you learn to hold hills and ravines in your hear
Pursuing the Stone
More than a hundred crafting procedures are wrapped around the fingertips, and a single hair is picked out of millions. Let this brush follow you on the journey, as if I were to follow you and see the greatness of our world!
Making the Brush
Ambergris and gold shall be out-valued by the sweat of the ink maker, whose soul is encompasses his hard labour and crafts. As an ink maker of devoted ancestry, I shall bestow on you the pride of pine, the persistence of ink, and the trust of ink makers!
Grinding the Ink
This painting is a creation of heaven, earth, and all who live and breathe, and you passers-by, shall be content to see these splendid shades of Green!
Into the Painting
Character
Ximeng, the painter of A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, was a legendary 18-year-old artist. After presenting the painting, Wang vanished from history, leaving behind only this single work long last for thousand years.
Ximeng
This figure symbolizes the contemporary art researcher, devoted to studying ancient works. They are at once a scholar immersed in research, an artist passionate about their work, and an everyday person who resonates with the audience.
The art researcher
Green is a personified figure representing both the colors and the form of the mountains in the painting. She embodies the spirit of A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, giving shape to the majesty and eternity of life.
Green
The Seal Carver
The Silk Weaver
The Grinder
The Brush Maker
The Ink Maker
Noble Female Courtiers
Hanlin Academy of Painting Master & Hanlin Academy of Painting Student
“The Visualization of Beauty, Artworks on Stage”
“A wonderful experience about beauty and traditional culture”
“Unfolding history to view humanity, a dialogue transcending time”
“Equally persistent, equally steadfast, the historical culture is thus passed down”
“A magnificent performance. ‘The choreography was simply spectacular; each character seamlessly blended with the set in an incredible way, with no flaws whatsoever.’”
“It was hard to distinguish whether it was a dream or a performance; the actors, stage design, and technology were all unparalleled.” A viewer from the UK, who watched The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting in Singapore, excitedly said: “I have always been interested in Chinese culture. I was familiar with this painting before watching the performance, and the dancers’ creative embodiment of the artwork was both novel and impressive; the music and lighting design also moved me deeply.”
“The dancers’ performance was like a flowing painting, vividly presenting the beautiful scenes from A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains on stage, captivating the audience.”
