(Clearwisdom.net) International renowned artist of ink and wash painting, Li Chi-mao, is also a specialist on antiques, calligraphy and painting auctions, and appraisals. Mr. Li said, "I taught in the Taiwan Art School from 1950 to 1990. Many art troupes have contacted me. The performance of the Divine Performing Arts is the best I have seen in 60 years, because the content of the performance presented Chinese philosophy and the harmony between the heavens and humans.

Li Chi-mao, Professor of Taiwan Arts School and artist

Mr. Li shared his view on the performance from different points of view. He said, "Some [performances] stress religion, some Confucianism, and some Daoism. But the Divine Performing Arts comprehensively includes all systems in the culture. From an artistic point of view, it reaches the realm of 'Truth-Compassion-Tolerance.' The performance includes songs, music, and drama, including all the Chinese moral elements of 'loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, love, faith, righteousness, kindness, and peace. It has rich connotations and causes people to think. Children don't like to listen to stories about Chinese ancient morality, but they absorb it after watching the performance. Adults and children all like to watch the show. Who made it? Very wise. I admire it."

He said, "The dancing is very beautiful. Given my teaching experience in art school, I have seen many good dancing programs. But the dancers of the Divine Performing Arts, no matter man or woman, all are very committed, that is, their facial expressions, dancing and the music are all well-integrated. This is hard to do. Dancing competitions are often held in Taiwan. I am generally the head judge, so I looked carefully. I saw that the members of the Divine Performing Arts danced following the music well, and the meaning of the lyrics and facial expressions coordinated well to express the meaningful connotations. It is hard to do that."

He continued, "In addition, the dramas like Yue Fei and Mulan have not been performed in Taiwan since 1945. It is hard to imagine that such dramas are being shown in today's world. Children should see them to understand the meanings. The dramas presented Chinese traditional culture, which is great, and showed well the peaceful nature. Other performance troupes generally focus on a single aspect. The Divine Performing Arts included music, drama, poems, dancing, and painting. It is hard to do all of that."

Mr. Li is also professor of the Art Institute, Taiwan Art School. He said, "We enjoyed such a high level cultural show. We should also ask the next generation to experience it. Such dramas need to be passed down. It is wonderful. The performance should be recorded onto CDs for people to watch again and again. Everyone in all cultural centers in Taiwan can watch, learn, and understand the show."

"Thank you for giving me such an opportunity. Thank you!"

He continued, "I have gone everywhere an airplane can go, from Europe to the US, from Russia, to the Ukraine and Pakistan. Others told me I would regret it if I did not attend this performance. It is true. I postponed other activities to see this performance."

Mr. Li said, "For moral improvement, many people say things but do not follow up in practicing them. But you are practicing actively without government motivation. The performance of this group cleans the heart and mind. Everyone who comes has his heart and mind cleaned."