Program: Huang Yi & KUKA

at UC San Diego

HUANG YI & KUKA

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at 8 pm Mandeville Auditorium

HUANG YI & KUKA is an original production of Huang Yi Studio +, developed at 3LD Art & Technology Center, in association with Sozo Artists. Commissioned by Quanta Arts Foundation.

This performance is made possible through the generous support of the Ministry of Culture (Taiwan) and the Taipei Cultural Center in New York.

THANK YOU TO OUR PERFORMANCE SPONSOR Renita Greenberg

ABOUT ARTPOWER

ArtPower at UC San Diego builds creative experiences in music, dance, film, exhibition and food for our collective pleasure and inspiration. We engage diverse audiences through vibrant, challenging, multi-disciplinary performances by emerging and renowned international artists. Through extensive partnerships, ArtPower provides exciting opportunities for research, participation, and creation of new work, igniting powerful dialogue between artists, students, scholars and the community.

ARTPOWER MISSION

1. To create co-curricular opportunities in the performing arts and film that foster learning and self-discovery, as well as personal and professional skill development.

2. To supplement and enhance the academic investigation of our students through collaborative explorations in the performing arts and film.

3. To add to the artistic and cultural life of the La Jolla and San Diego communities.

ArtPower presents

HUANG YI & KUKA

Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at 8 pm Post-performance ArtTalk Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego

ABOUT THE WORK As a child, Huang Yi longed for a robot companion. As an adult, he created a robot to dance with.

Acclaimed Taiwanese choreographer and dancer Huang Yi and his robot companion KUKA bring razor sharp precision and stunning artistry to ArtPower at UC San Diego. Together, they harmoniously weave together the art of dance and the science of mechanical engineering in the poetic work, HUANG YI & KUKA. HUANG YI & KUKA reveals humanity through a series of vignettes between live dancers and KUKA, a robot conceptualized and programmed by Huang. “Dancing face to face with a robot is like looking at my own face in a mirror . . . I think I have found the key to spin human emotions into robots,” Huang asserts.

Huang Yi and KUKA are joined on stage by dancers Hu Chien and Lin Jou-Wen.

ARTIST STATEMENT I was born in a wealthy family. When I was 10, my parents went bankrupt due to investment losses. My family of four moved from a luxurious house to a 40-square foot room. As a child who was constantly moving from one tiny room to another and seeing my parents go through suicide attempts, I grew up knowing that I had to be a perfect child. I detached all my emotion—passion, anger, and sadness—to be that perfect child, and to be like a robot: obedient, friendly, outstanding, considerate, never rebellious, perhaps no personality.

As a child, my favorite cartoon was the Japanese animation character Doraemon, a cat robot who is always there to solve problems for his owner. Apparently I have something with robots since I was little—is it because they represent a character that is loyal? Or is it because their destiny of being selfless? Thankfully, my parents let me choose to be a professional on stage, which became the best outlet for my compressed emotion. And I wanted to find a way to dance with a robot.

I did my research on the most advanced industrial robots, and KUKA stood out for both its stability and the fluid design in the form similar to a human. In 2010, I called KUKA company in Taiwan. When I told them my idea, they said, “According to the regulation, when the robot is moving, human beings cannot enter the area of its action. If you can find a way, I will lend you a KUKA.” I have found a way, and now, thanks to Quanta Arts Foundation in Taiwan, I have a KUKA.

For me, HUANG YI & KUKA is a process of beautifying the sorrow and sadness when I grew up. It is the expression of loneliness, self-doubt, self-realization, and self-comfort. I was trying to make a beautiful illusion just to assure others that everything was fine. I wanted to remind us that we are all kids at heart.

—Huang Yi

ABOUT THE ARTISTS Taiwanese dancer, choreographer, inventor, and videographer Huang Yi’s pioneering work is steeped in his fascination with the partnership between humans and robots. He interweaves continuous movement with mechanical and multimedia elements to create a form of dance which corresponds with the flow of data, effectively making the performer a dancing instrument. Named by Dance magazine as one of the “25 to Watch,” Huang was immersed in the arts at a young age, spending much of his childhood in his parents’ studio watching them teach tango and learning to paint alongside his father. He is widely considered one of Asia’s most prolific choreographers. Huang’s groundbreaking and award-winning work, HUANG YI & KUKA, in which he performs alongside a robot he conceptualized and programmed, opened the 2013 Ars Electronica Festival (Austria), the internationally renowned unique platform for digital art and media culture. Works choreographed by and featuring Huang have received high praise at venues internationally, including Joyce Theater; Enghien-Les-Bains Centre des Arts (France); Tasdance and Dancenorth (Australia); Cloud Gate 2 (Taipei); the Indonesian Dance Festival (Jakarta); New York Live Arts; and the American Dance Festival (North Carolina). Huang’s collaboration with Cloud Gate 2 continues to tour internationally, to much acclaim. He has received awards for his work at the Digital Arts Center Taipei (2010 and 2012); and the 3rd Cross Connection Ballet International Choreography Competition in Copenhagen (2010), among many others across Europe and Asia.

Taiwan native Hu Chien received his M.F.A. in performance and choreography from the School of Dance of Taipei National University of the Arts. Recent performances include Huang Yi’s Special Order, Double Yellow Lines, Second Skin, Sand, and Whisper. He was the leading actor for the micro film Immortelle by Dutch director David Verbeek (nominated for the Spectrum Shots section at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and Taiwan’s Shortcuts series at the 2013 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival. Hu was a member of Cloud Gate 2 from 2012–13 and has danced with Huang Yi Studio + since 2010.

Taiwanese dancer Lin Jou-Wen received her B.F.A. in dance from the Taipei National University of the Arts. Recent performances include Huang Yi’s Special Order, Light, Symphony Project, and Spin 2010; Tong Yang-Tze’s Sao at TIFA 2014; leading actress in the micro film Immortelle by Dutch director David Verbeek (nominated for the Spectrum Shots section at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and Taiwan’s Shortcuts series at the 2013 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival); movement design for Process of Death (first prize winner of the digital performance competition at the 2nd Taipei Digital Art Festival); among others. Lin was a recipient of the American Dance Festival Scholarship in 2009. She was a member of Cloud Gate 2 from 2010–14 and has danced with Huang Yi Studio + since January 2014.

STAFF

Yen-Ku Ou, Technical Director Hao-Ting Cheng, Technical Specialist Robert Krevolin, Tour Manager 4

Program

Worldwide Representation and Booking for Huang Yi Sozo Artists, Inc. ichun@sozomedia.com +1 (212) 203-0389 www.sozoartists.com www.sozoartists.com/artists/huangyi

DONORS 2015–16 VISIONARY ($50,000+)

Joan and Irwin Jacobs Fund of the Jewish

Community Foundation

CATALYST ($20,000–49,999)

Jon and Bobbie Gilbert George Clement Perkins Endowment The Weil Family Foundation

CREATOR ($10,000–19,999)

Epstein Family Foundation Sam B. Ersan Elaine Galinson and Herbert Solomon of the

Galinson Family Foundation Eric Lasley and Judith Bachner New England Foundation for the Arts

PERFORMER ($5,000–9,999) Amnon and Lee Ben-Yehuda Joan Jordan Bernstein Hamburger Chamber Music Series

Endowment Fund

ADVOCATE ($2,500–4,999)

Ann Spira Cambell Michael and Susanna Flaster Ronald and Wynnona Goldman Mehran and Susan Goulian Renita Greenberg Alexa Kirkwood Hirsch Charles and Marylin Perrin Edith High Sanchez and Paul Sanchez Lee and Judith Talner

GUARDIAN ($1,000–2,499)

Joyce Axelrod and Joseph Fisch Bjorn Bjerede and Josephine A. Kiernan Maureen and C. Peter Brown Nelson and Janice Byrne Carol and Jeffrey Chang

Special Thanks to: KUKA Robot Automation Taiwan Co. Ltd. KUKA Robotics Corp. (USA) Quanta Arts Foundation Cloud Gate Dance Theatre LMF Dance Fund National Theater (Taiwan) Asia Cultural Council Minister of Culture (Taiwan) 3-Legged Dog Mr. Wen-Hung Kao Ms. Kuang-Hui An iMakr (NYC) HITACHI ATOM 3D Printer (TW) Alain Cohen and Denise Warren Ruth Covell Martha and Edward Dennis Wayne and Elizabeth Dernetz Dr. Diane Everett-Barbolla Drs. Edwin and Wita Gardiner Norman J. Goldberg and Fusako Yokotobi Pat Jacoby Liz Lancaster and Eli Shefter Marvin and Reinette Levine Barbara and Robert Nemiroff Hans Paar and Kim Signoret-Paar Clayton and Susan Peimer Anne Marie Pleska and Luc Cayet Robert and Lauren Resnik Elaine and Jerry Schneider Ruth Stern and Mort Levy Arthur and Molli Wagner Zelda Waxenberg

SUPPORTER ($500–999)

Janice Alper and Charles Kantor Ginger and Ken Baldwin Douglas Bradley Sam and Teresa Buss Bill Coltellaro and Eric Cohen Bill Michalsky Nessa O’Shaughnessy Anne Otterson Samuel Popkin and Susan Shirk

CONTRIBUTOR ($250–499)

K. Andrew Achterkirchen Connie and George Beardsley William and Wendy Brody Patti and Brian Carlos Jeffrey C. Donahue and Gail Donahue Meg and Allan Goldstein Carol Hinrichs Barry and Helen Lebowitz Robert and Arleen Lettas Athina Markou and Mark Geyer

Dance

5

Rod and Barbara Orth Carol Plantamura and Felix Prael Gary and Brenda Ratcliff Doug and Eva Richman Jim and Kathleen Stiven Mr. and Mrs. Eli Strich Johanna Thompson Sylvia Wechter

SPARK ($100–249)

Shirley Babior and Judith Richards Geoffrey Clow Ed and Edie Drcar Carole Leland Elaine and Howard Maltz Kate Oesterreicher Ina Page Luc R. Pelletier Stephen and Susan Shuchter Janet Smarr Ellen Speert and Paul Henry Jimmy Tran Carey G. Wall Shirley Weaver Anonymous, In honor of Jimmy Tran

CORPORATE SPONSORS

POWERPLAYERS

PowerPlayers are an exceptional group of donors that have made a three year commitment to support ArtPower. This multi-year support is crucial to ArtPower’s continued success and growth.

Joyce Axelrod Joan Bernstein Alain Cohen Martha Dennis Phyllis Epstein Elaine Galinson Bobbie Gilbert Norman Goldberg Renita Greenberg Eric Lasley Kim Signoret-Paar Hans Paar Robert and Lauren Resnik Arthur and Molli Wagner Zelda Waxenberg Pat Weil

A portion of funding for ArtPower is provided by the UC San Diego Student Services Fee Committee.

Donor list as of 09.27.2015

ARTPOWER STAFF

GRANTING ORGANIZATIONS

Molly Clark, Associate Director of Artistic

Planning & Education Carolena Deutsch-Garcia, Associate Director of Development John Morgan, Box Office Manager Sean Nash, Ticketing Coordinator Jordan Peimer, Executive Director Jason Smith, Production Manager Joanna Szu, Associate Director of Marketing

and Communications Rebecca Webb, Film Curator

STUDENT STAFF

MEDIA SPONSOR ARTPOWER STAFF DONORS Molly Clark Carolena Deutsch-Garcia Jordan Peimer Jason Smith Joanna Szu Rebecca Webb

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Program

Grason Caldwell, Marketing Assistant Crystal K. Chan, Film Curatorial Assistant Intern Minhtri Chu, Marketing Intern Riley Dewitt-Rickards, Production Assistant Austin Eamnarangkool, Marketing Intern Keita Funakawa, Film Curatorial Assistant Camille Latzke, Marketing Intern Aileen Liang, Marketing Assistant Joyce Liang, Marketing Intern Derrick Lieu, Marketing Intern Cliff Mann, Film Curatorial Assistant Connie Oh, Marketing Intern Kendra Quinlan, Marketing Intern Emily Small, Marketing Intern Maryanne Vargas, Marketing Intern Bryant Vu, Marketing Assistant Karen Wang, Production Assistant

2015–16 SEASON DONOR GIVING LEVELS AND BENEFITS ArtPower is committed to building a future for the arts by presenting extraordinary artists and fostering young audiences. While ticket sales represent a small part of our annual budget, donations are the most reliable way to sustain our program and expand student engagement opportunities. Donors make it possible for us to make a meaningful difference in our community and the lives of students. To make a gift or learn more about how you can help support ArtPower.

Donate online at artpower.ucsd.edu/support or call 858.534.7657 for more information.

SPARK ($100–$249) Entire gift is tax deductible • Concierge ticket purchases • Recognition in our programs • 10% off ArtPower tickets

CONTRIBUTOR ($250–$499) Entire gift is tax deductible • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions

SUPPORTER ($500–$999) Entire gift is tax deductible • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions

GUARDIAN ($1,000–$2,499) $56 not tax deductible • • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions Complimentary UCSD parking vouchers at ArtPower events

ADVOCATE ($2,500–$4,999) $95 not tax deductible • • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions Complimentary UCSD parking vouchers at ArtPower events • Reserved VIP parking at ArtPower events • Invitations to Private Home Concerts Thank You! Please return your donation to: ArtPower at UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive #0029 La Jolla, CA 92093-0029 100% of your gift will benefit UC San Diego. Per approved campus-wide policy, 94% of your gift is directed to ArtPower while 6% is directed to assist in covering other university administrative costs.

PERFORMER ($5,000–$9,999) $120 not tax deductible • • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions Complimentary UCSD parking vouchers at ArtPower events • Reserved VIP parking at ArtPower events • Invitations to Private Home Concerts • ArtPower Event Sponsor / Backstage Passes

CREATOR ($10,000–$19,999) $220 not tax deductible • • • • • • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions Complimentary UCSD parking vouchers at ArtPower events Reserved VIP parking at ArtPower events Invitations to Private Home Concerts ArtPower Event Sponsor / Backstage Passes Invitations for two to Dinner with the Artists

CATALYST ($20,000–$49,000) $320 not tax deductible • • • • • • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions Complimentary UCSD parking vouchers at ArtPower events Reserved VIP parking at ArtPower events Invitations to Private Home Concerts ArtPower Event Sponsor / Backstage Passes Invitations for two to Dinner with the Artists

VISIONARY ($50,000+) $320 not tax deductible • • • • • • • • •

Concierge ticket purchases Recognition in our programs 10% off ArtPower tickets Invitation to Donor event receptions Complimentary UCSD parking vouchers at ArtPower events Reserved VIP parking at ArtPower events Invitations to Private Home Concerts ArtPower Event Sponsor / Backstage Passes Invitations for two to Dinner with the Artists

Enclosed is my check payable to ArtPower at UC San Diego in the amount of $ __________ Please charge my: VISA / MASTERCARD / DISCOVER / AMEX in the amount of $ _________ __________________________________________________________________________ Credit card account number Expiration date __________________________________________________________________________ Name as it appears on card (please print clearly) __________________________________________________________________________ Name as it should appear in publications ☐ I would like my gift to be anonymous __________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip code __________________________________________________________________________ Telephone E-mail

DANCE AT ARTPOWER

DANCE / JAPAN

KOTA YAMAZAKI/FLUID HUG-HUG DANCE COMPANY OQ Friday, January 29, 2016, at 8 pm Mandeville Auditorium

Global traditions flow together in this latest work by Bessie Award–winning choreographer Kota Yamazaki. OQ is inspired by Japanese ritual poetry readings held at the Imperial Palace.

DANCE / ISRAEL

IDAN COHEN DANCE COMPANY GENDER BENDER Friday, May 20, 2016, at 8 pm Mandeville Auditorium

Idan Cohen’s new creation is an autobiographical fantasy that returns to Cohen’s early years growing up in the ’80s and incorporates images that reflect personal and social identities of masculinity, femininity, and all that lies between.

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