TAN ZEEN
The Metaphor of Shadow
2012, New Youth Group
Director: Li Jianjun
Dramaturgy: Zhuang Jiayun
Performance designer: Tan Zeen
Lighting designer: Chen Xiaji
“Metaphor of the Shadow” is based on Lu Xun's Farewell of the Shadow, along with a series of his essays. There is no particular scenes, no plot or conflicts, it only has fragments of chatter, the melancholy of unspoken Chinese culture.
The centre of the stage is packed with the most familiar objects to Chinese people. At the bottom of it, is the incense burner table, which is normally used for hosting higher power/ god in Chinese rituals.
Objects on top of the table represent different contents, including: power, communication, medication, literature, history, technology, drama, religion, icon, politics, entertainment, etc. as well as Lu Xun himself and the characters in his story.
This “Totem” was broken up during the performance, and it can't not be reconstructed in the same way anymore.....