Interior Designer Inspired by Shen Yun

ATLANTAThe costumes and the sets are very inspiring to me and very happy, joyful, and uplifting, said interior designer Claire Bell of the sold-out Shen Yun Performing Arts opening show in Atlanta, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, on Jan. 5.

The mission of Shen Yun, a New York-based Chinese dance and music company, is to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture, bringing it to life on stage through vivid costumes, Chinese dance, stunning backdrops, and music.

I love to see the happy colors and the color blocking and the costumes, Ms. Bell said. I feel like I want to go home and use some of the happy pinks, yellows, greens, in some of my work.

Shen Yuns costume artists collect countless designs of traditional attire, ranging from those of emperors, ministers, and generals to the everyday clothing of the common people, says Shen Yuns website. They use bright colors to tailor and recreate hundreds of new pieces each season.

From a design standpoint, Ms. Bell said the colors of the production were wonderful. And almost the spirituality of it, it comes through for me.

An animated digital backdrop accompanies each dance, projecting lush landscapes and heavenly palaces while allowing the dancers to move seamlessly from stage to screen.

I love the interaction of the graphics with the actual performers, Ms. Bell said. It is really neat. Like a virtual reality almost aspect to it, which is wonderful.

Ms. Bell also appreciated being able to see Shen Yun and learn about Chinas history and culture.

The opportunity to see that cultural heritage of China and the fact that it is being done hereit cant be done in China, and I think thats really ironic and touching and wonderful, and wonderful that people are so interested in it, Ms. Bell said.

Reporting by NTD Television and Catherine Yang.

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Interior Designer Inspired by Shen Yun