Shen Yun Recension: Jean-Louis Janin Daviet, museum curator & recipient of France’s Order of Arts and Letters

“For me, this performance is a complete immersion. It’s a journey we dreamed of taking, and it’s a successful journey—a journey made successful by color. You almost feel like you can smell the lotus flowers when they are carried by the [female dancers], and when the kite soars, it feels as though it’s really taking flight… It’s a synergy, a harmony, and choreography that are absolutely flawless. What’s truly striking is that, with the use of digital imagery—the characters emerging from the screen and then disappearing—and the absolutely flawless choreography, it becomes hard to tell whether it’s reality or just images. It’s truly extraordinary… All my senses are awakened. First, sight, then hearing, captivated by the music. What truly moved me was seeing a real ensemble of musicians performing live with a conductor and the harp, my absolute favorite instrument… It’s the music, the scents, colors, fragrances, I think all my senses are awakened. You feel completely carried away, almost weightless, and you wonder why we can’t move with such ease, or suddenly perform a triple somersault like the dancers do. They master every technique, whether it’s gymnastic, choreographic, or physical expression. And then there are the faces. So expressive, yet perfectly still. It’s incredible. Truly, it is. [Coming here] was a choice made by my wife and friends, and one I don’t regret at all because it’s absolutely amazing.”