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Under the leadership of master choreographer Gideon Obarzanek, Chunky Move from Australia will perform in Hong Kong this October one of its latest cutting-edge ventures, "Mortal Engine", which has swept international arts awards and amazed audiences in various arts festivals. With its innovative blend of state-of-the-art technology and movement, this groundbreaking creation pushes the boundaries of artistic experience and offers a new way of viewing dance.
The dance-video-music-laser piece uses sophisticated interactive computer systems which, combined with the performers' movements, trigger video projections, lights, sounds and laser images to portray an ever-shifting, shimmering world. Executed on a tilted platform, the dancers appear to defy gravity, inextricably intertwined in moments of confrontation and intimacy. The result is a poetic, sensory experience that explores relationships, connection and disconnection, isolation and togetherness, and the struggle to go beyond one's bodily limits to escape inner darkness and desire.
"Mortal Engine" has won the Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production, 2008 Helpmann Award and Honorable Mention in the Hybrid Category, 2009 Prix Ars Electronica. The intriguing work has been put together by a wide-ranging collection of artistic talents under the guiding hand of choreographer Obarzanek. The interactive system design is the invention of Frieder Weiss, who is also the creator of the EyeCon and Kalypso video motion sensing programmes widely used in the arts field. His installation project in collaboration with the group phase7 performing . arts from Berlin fascinated audiences at the last New Vision Arts Festival. Adding to the excitement are the striking laser effects by Robin Fox, along with the music of Iceland-based composer Ben Frost, acclaimed as "the future of electronic music".
The New York Times appraised the show as "poetic as well as arresting ... visually stunning"; The Herald, Edinburgh said "If the technology was impressive, the flesh and blood dancers were outstanding"; The Guardian said "'Mortal Engine' is an undeniably thrilling work, extraordinary to look at and exciting in its sense of possibility"; The Metro, London said "The effect is terrifying, beautiful, unique and absolutely unforgettable".
Founded by Artistic Director Gideon Obarzanek in Melbourne in 1995, Chunky Move has earned an enviable reputation for its daring, challenging, distinct yet unpredictable brand of genre-defying dance. The company has created a number of works for the stage, site-specific work and new media, and installation work. It has also created critically acclaimed and popular larger productions for touring.
"Mortal Engine" is one of the programmes of the New Vision Arts Festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be staged on October 22 and 23 at 8pm at the Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium. The programme contains nudity, smoke, laser, strobe lighting and loud sounds. The programme has no intermission. Audience members are strongly advised to arrive on time. Latecomers will not be admitted. A meet-the-artist session will be held after the performance on October 22.
Tickets priced at $240, $180 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 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Group booking and package discounts of up to 20% are available.
Programme brochures are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Credit card telephone bookings: 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk .
Ends/Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:26
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