The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) will present “Dongpo: Life in Poems”, a lyrical, contemporary dance exploring traditional Chinese aesthetics next month. Created by Sino-American multi-artist Shen Wei, this movement and imagery display will be staged at the Macao Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Grand Auditorium in two shows scheduled on 21 and 22 June.
Inspired by the life and writings of Song dynasty’s poet Su Dongpo, the performance incorporates multiple artistic expressions, from visual effect and calligraphy to painting and tai chi, moving beyond historic precision and conveying emotions and conflicts as the audience is brought into the ancient poet’s world.
Furthermore, this piece explores deep artistic roots, bringing poetry to life and offering a glimpse of cultural heritage, while also rendering homage to one of the most respected figures in Chinese history through revisiting ancient arts, impelled by a melodic merge of guqin (Chinese zither) and modern music conceived by leading Chinese-French composer Chen Qigang.
In short, the 90-minute “Dongpo: Life in Poems” conveys meaning through movement, rhythms and emotions.
Born in Hunan in 1968, New York-based Shen is a painter, designer and filmmaker who has received a MacArthur Foundation grant and various other distinctions. He has devised the stylised vision of this show in collaboration with the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, which has performed in various venues across the world, including New York’s Lincoln Centre.
Tickets are priced at MOP 200-400 and available for sale from 10 am tomorrow through the Macao Ticketing Network. For more information visit IC’s or CCM’s websites.
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