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Chinese-American choreographer Shen Wei, the recipient of a number of major awards worldwide and an artist whose work has been described as "startlingly imaginative" by the New York Times, is together with Shen Wei Dance Arts bringing the groundbreaking dance works "Limited States" and "A World Première Work" to Hong Kong.
The performance of "Limited States" and "A World Première Work" is the closing programme of the New Vision Arts Festival 2012 organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The performance will be staged on November 16 and 17 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre and Foyer.
Commissioned by last year's American Dance Festival, "Limited States" sees Shen explore new creative avenues, employing multimedia for the first time to weave together real and virtual dancers into sculptural forms and developing a refreshingly original encounter through the use of technology. The condensed and revised 40-minute version to be performed in Hong Kong promises to be an even more intensive wonder.
Shen's recent site-specific choreography, with its bold imagery and pioneering forms, has become a hot topic in the dance scene. His breathtaking new piece tailor-made for the Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a work commissioned by the New Vision Arts Festival to celebrate its 10th anniversary. In "A World Première Work", the foyer will be turned into a palette on which dancers will paint flowing landscapes through the movement of their bodies. They will also interact with the surrounding installations as if they are living statues. Members of the audience will be free to move around their designated viewing areas as they wish, in order to see the production from multiple angles. Those standing near the performance area in the foyer may also be able to watch the dancers up close. This original site-specific piece will provide an unparalleled arts experience that can open up inspiring perspectives on the concept of performance space and the nature of dance.
Well-versed in choreography, costume design, stage design, art installation and video-making, Shen Wei is widely recognised for his defining vision of an intercultural, interdisciplinary and original mode of movement-based performance. His works incorporate visual and storytelling elements from the theatre, Chinese opera, Eastern philosophy, traditional and contemporary visual art and sculpture. Born in Hunan, China, Shen studied Chinese opera from the age of nine. From 1984 to 1989, he worked with the Hunan State Xiang Opera Company. From 1991 to 1994, he was a founding member (dancer and choreographer) of the Guangdong Modern Dance Company. After receiving a scholarship from the Nikolais/Louis Dance Lab, he moved to New York City in 1995 and founded Shen Wei Dance Arts in 2000.
"Limited States" and "A World Première Work" will be staged on November 16 and 17 at 9.30pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre and Foyer. This programme contains nudity. Tickets priced at $520, $420, $320, $220 and $120 are now available at URBTIX. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and their minders, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Other booking discounts of up to 20 per cent are available.
A dance masterclass on Shen Wei's Natural Body Development Technique to be conducted in English by Rehearsal Director and Senior Dancer of Shen Wei Dance Arts Kathleen Jewett will be held on November 11 at 3pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre Backstage Level 6 GR1. Tickets are priced at $200.
There will also be a talk by Shen entitled "Creative pioneer, novel experience". Presented in English, the talk will be held on November 13 at 7.30pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Administration Building Level 4 AC1. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Programme brochures and leaflets are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website, www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. For telephone credit card bookings, call 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Saturday, November 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:30
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