(Hong Kong, 8th October, 2020) Chinese dance X Martial arts “𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚”—the new dance production created by Hong Kong Dance Company through its Inaugural Artistic Interdisciplinary Research Study—is going to premiere online on 18 October 2020. Presenting in a digital format, Convergence will be staged online, offering audience members, wherever they are, from across the globe to enjoy it within touch.
Convergence, is a culminating work created through an interdisciplinary research study on both Chinese dance and Chinese martial arts traditions. In Hong Kong Dance Company's three-year-long study, its artists have explored the essence of both traditional practices, extracting new perspectives on movement and the fluidity of expression between ideology and physical gesture.
The Artist Director of the Hong Kong Dance Company, Mr. Yang Yuntao, and several dancers have studied with the masters of many Southern Chinese martial art styles for the past three years, including the Hung Kuen, Fujian White Crane, Choy Lei Fat, and Baguezhang styles. After taking much time to investigate, contemplate, and consolidate their learning of both martial arts spirit and routines, the team of researchers were able to find a new body language, and discover the landscape beyond. It was thus that the team was able to open a dialogue between Chinese dance and Chinese martial arts through the method of experimental creation.
The five classical techniques of the Choy Lei Fat style, “strike (Cyun), hook (Paau), reverse (Gwaa), slam (Saau), and thrust (Caap)", and coupled with the horse stance demonstrates a fascinating use of speed, ferocity, proper application of strength, and explosive power. The White Crane takes its name after the animal. Its style has the complement of both strength and gentleness, with its movements being both vivid and suave, and contains an inextricable yet intangible type of tension in its fluid elegance.
The Hung Kuen style is known for its rapid yet flexible extensions and contractions of movement. Where, the charm from its thinly-veiled strength, can be glimpsed in moments of breath exchange before the next move is released.
To learn these new rules to movement, the dancers must first begin and then had to put aside their inherent knowledge of the same, which allowed them to boldly conceive new ideas and present audiences with this refreshing Chinese dance x Martial arts work. Convergence brings these discoveries together, capturing the transient between stillness and motion, tranquillity and exuberance; all that one may find through the synergy of dance and martial arts.
“This study has led us to break away from our past; to chart new courses, and to remould ourselves. Formed by the confluence of our external body movements and internal consciousness, we thus experience changes to our physical condition and thus further our cause in pursuit and to experience the 'truth' and 'beauty' that lies within the performing arts.”, Hong Kong Dance Company Artist Director, Mr. Yang Yuntao, shared.
Presented alongside the new dance production Convergence, Hong Kong Dance Company’s 15-minute virtual reality video Convergence – A Journey of Chinese Dance and Martial Arts is an other-wordly record of the three-year exploration into the movements, gestures and practices of the two art forms. Moving between the real and the imaginary, the VR video creates a vibrant multi-perspective, immersive experience that integrates actual physical movements with 360° panoramic VR effects and motion capture technology, and offers viewers an unusual up-close glimpse into the world of traditional martial arts and dance.
About "Research study on Chinese martial arts and Chinese Dance”
HKDC's “Research study on Chinese martial arts and Chinese Dance” is a platform designed to facilitate comprehensive discussions between artists and thus allow for the exploration of new avenues towards interdisciplinary collaboration. The study served as a key to unlock new dance forms and open up both novel creative directions for traditional Chinese dance and within its practice.
The study's research team, including HKDC Artistic Director, Mr. Yang Yuntao, alongside dancers, academic researchers and other experts, have collaborated with kung fu masters of the southern style for the past three years (2018-2020). The partnership has yielded the essence of the Chinese martial arts which, as adapted by the research team, allows for a more profound understanding of the relationship between the sensorial body, the fluidity of movement it creates, and the philosophies of the East for the use of dance. The fruits of this initiative will be presented to the public by way of a series of workshops, seminars, exhibitions, Virtual Reality (VR) video, performances, and other events.
Chinese Dance X Martial Arts—Convergence
Online premiere: 18.10.2020︱8PM
On-demand viewing: 19-24.10.2020
Ticket: $80
Tickets now available at POPTICKET: https://www.popticket.hk/event/convergence
VR Video: Convergence - A Journey of Chinese Dance & Martial Arts
Date: 8-13.12.2020
Venue: The Studio, Freespace, Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District
Ticket: $30
Tickets now available at westkowloon.hk, Freespace and Xiqu Centre ticket offices and designated Tom Lee Music outlets (Olympian City, Shatin and Yuen Long)rgence
Other Events |
Date / Venue |
Thematic Seminar: Body dialogue between Chinese dance and Martial arts |
From 18.10.2020 (Online Screening) |
Research Exhibition |
From 15.10.2020 (Online Exhibition) |
Experiential Workshop: Chinese Dance x Martial Arts |
08.11.2020 |
Programme Enquiries: +852 3103 1819 / [email protected]
For more details of Research and other events: www.hkdanceresearch.com
Chinese Dance X Martial Arts—Convergence
Artistic Team
Concept / Choreographer / Dancer: Yang Yuntao
Composer / Music Director / Sound Designer: Paul Yip
Set & Lighting Designer: Lee Chi-wai
Digital Image Designer: Oliver Shing
Dancers / Co-choreographers: Huang Lei, Ho Ho-fei, Liu Wai-yee, Hou Xuchen, Ong Tze-shen, Pan Zhenghuan, Chou Jo-yun and Ng Ka Ling
VR Video: Convergence - A Journey of Chinese Dance & Martial Arts
Artistic Team
Concept / Choreographer / Dancer: Yang Yuntao
Dancers / Co-choreographers: Huang Lei, Ho Ho-fei, Hou Xuchen, Ong Tze-shen, Pan Zhenghuan, Chou Jo-yun, Ng Ka Ling
VR Director: Tsang Yin Wing
Music: Paul Yip
Co-presented by
Martial Arts Adviser and Partner
VR Technical and Production Partner
Promotion Partner
Mission Statement
We are nurtured in the cultural tradition of China, combining with the creativity of contemporary art, to impress the world with Chinese dance of Hong Kong character.
Established in 1981, the Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) was incorporated in 2001 as a charitable and non-profit-making institution, and is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As one of the nine flagship performing arts companies in Hong Kong, our mission is to promote Chinese dance with contemporary artistic visions and Hong Kong character. Since its inception, HKDC has staged over 100 productions, many of which were highly popular with critical acclaim. Recent productions include The Legend of Mulan, Red Poppies, Spring Ritual·Eulogy, The Butterfly Lovers, Storm Clouds, L’Amour Immortel,Dream of the Past: Ancient Chinese Court Dances,Reveries of the Red Chamber, Chinese Hero: A Lone Exile, Vipassana, Lady White of West Lake, Tale of Three Cities, Waiting Heart, Liu Sanjie, Ode to the Silk Road, Dance of Strings and A Tale of the Southern Sky.
As a cultural ambassador of Hong Kong, HKDC constantly brings the city’s unique artistic style to the world by touring to different cities across the globe, engaging local audiences and encouraging cultural exchange. In recent years, we have brought our award-winning productions to the Lincoln Center in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Sony Centre in Toronto, the Concourse Theatre in Chatswood, Sydney, the Southbank Centre in London and The Belarusian State Academic Musical Theatre in Minsk, among others.
Media Inquiries |
Please contact: Carolyn Yip – Project Manager Tel: (852) 3103 1822 / 9583 6206 Email: [email protected] |
© Liana Technologies