Rice is an international co-production by Sadler’s Wells (London), Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay (Singapore), HELLERAU European Center for the Arts Dresden (Germany), National Performing Arts Center – National Theater & Concert Hall, R.O.C. (Taiwan), New Vision Arts Festival (Hong Kong), and Théâtre de la Ville – Paris (France).
The inspiration for Rice came from the landscape and story of Chihshang in the East Rift Valley of Taiwan. Previously tainted by the use of chemical fertilizer, this farming village has now regained its title as the Land of the Emperor’s Rice by adopting organic farming and has exported its rice to EU countries.
Awed by the immense waves of grain rolling across expansive fields of rice, and inspired by the environmentally-conscious farmers, Lin took the dancers to Chihshang, where they joined the farmers in harvesting the rice. Out of this experience in the field, Lin has created exuberant yet powerful movements woven through Soil, Sunlight, Wind, Water and Fire.