SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Is ‘An Entertaining Experience and a Visual Feast,’ Says Visual Effects Artist

Mar 23, 2023

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—Glenn Gustafson, a visual effects artist at Dream Works Animation, attended Shen Yun’s evening show on March 22, at Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts.

Mr. Gustafson has been trying for the past three years to see Shen Yun. Thankfully, the experience was worth the wait. He absolutely loved Shen Yun’s dancers.

“I loved it! I can’t believe the stamina and the number of leaps. The technique was unbelievable!” he said.

“The level of perfection is unbelievable. I can’t believe the amount of work they’ve done. The expression—it’s emotional. I wasn’t expecting that.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun was established in 2006 by a group of leading Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party. Under the regime’s violent rule, China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture were forced to the brink of extinction.

Yet for thousands of years, Chinese people were very spiritual and believed that their culture was a gift from the heavens.

Shen Yun is now dedicated to reviving these traditions and showcasing to the world, through dance and music, the beauty of China before communism.

A visual effects artist himself, Shen Yun’s innovative 3D projections were a pleasant surprise for Mr. Gustafson.

“I was really impressed with the way [the performers] blended in with the screen and projection. I was not expecting that. It’s taking us places that I never anticipated,” he exclaimed.

“It added a lot to [the show.] It captivates you. It’s an entertaining experience and a visual feast.”

According to its website, Shen Yun’s patented 3D digital technology works together with the performers to “extend the stage to infinite realms” and brings to its audience “storytelling without limits.”

Aside from the dancing, what initially attracted Mr. Gustafson to Shen Yun was the artists’ portrayal of traditional and cultural values. This resonated deeply with him.

“That’s what we came for. The struggles, the bravery—their attitude is very uplifting,” he said. “[China’s] 5,000 years of culture is nothing to sneeze at—words fail me. I’m definitely a fan.”

Mr. Gustafson added that he would like to thank Shen Yun’s artists for all their work. He thought this performance is essential to our world right now because “art unites us all.”

“There is so much trouble in the world right now. To know a people’s art is to understand them. You learn to love another culture when you get to know the art,” he expressed.

“[Shen Yun] is doing such outstanding and important work. I think it’s really important to spread that culture as far as you can.”

Reporting by Michael Ye and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.