Borderline The reality compressed into two-dimensional images changing our everyday perceptions The two works explore the physical body’s crossing of borders, stepping into the unknown
Drifting
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Creative Team
Choreography & Concept
Joseph Lee Devising Dancers
Paula Wong, Jimmy Suen DJ and Live Game Player
Lawrence Lau Premiere Devising Dancer
Holmes Cheung Premiere Rehearsal Assistant
Sharon Tam Costume Design
Toby Crispy *The premiere of this production was presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Residency: Choi X Kang Project X Joseph Lee X KT Yau Work-in-progress Showing Concept and Performance
Joseph Lee, KT Yau, Choi Min Sun, Kang Ji Nan
About Unlock Unlock Dancing Plaza Unlock Dancing Plaza is a promising contemporary dance company founded in 2002 based in Hong Kong, with Ong Yong Lock as Artistic Director and Joseph Lee as Associate Artistic Director. Unlock is committed to pursuing innovative breakthrough and theatrical liberation. These commitments are embodied in and practised through its productions. The company focuses on reflecting dance on the basis of individual. Through defining dance in the uniqueness of a body and being free from the institutionalised aesthetics of dance, Unlock deeply believes, “Everyone can dance”. Curating cross-media, cross-regional, and experimental projects, Unlock Body Lab is developed to discover and show the possibilities of dance in various forms. #danceless includes a series of creative works, performances and workshops that are based on public participatory as the main way of artistic practice. It promotes and deepens the diversity of imagination of dance; facilitate the mutual exchange between artists and the public through experiencing dance together.
Unlock is a three-time Hong Kong Dance Awards recipient and highly recognised by the dance industry. Its representative works include Jump to Mars, Dance with me, Boy Story. Reborn, Wanderer, serial dance-theatre Walls 44, Chopin VS Ca, and etc. The company has been financially supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council since 2009.
About #DANCELESS Complex #DANCELESS complex – Choreographic Methodology Based on the aesthetic basis that Unlock Dancing Plaza has gradually established through the years, the concept of #danceless is first proposed by Artistic Director Ong Yong Lock. By examining the mainstream, institutionalized dance training and aesthetics of dance, #DANCELESS complex develops another (or more than one) way of seeing, using, and connecting the body and mind. It is hoped that dance can enter more people’s lives in different forms and ways. As the major platform, #DANCELESS complex expands the whole concept to a larger scale,
trying to unify the direction of studies in recent years in a more complete curating context, plus, presenting and communicating with the industry and the public. The inaugural festival addresses the methodology that is less understood and talked about in the local dance community through five separate works corresponding to the theme of the platform, “Choreographic Methodology”. Channeling the classification as an angle to view and enter the work, and at the same time, provides a larger framework to express the understanding of each choreographer for the work and the process of creation. The platform is held from July to November 2021. In these five months, there will be a series of activities, including performances, residency programs, workshops and talks, which allow participants to further understand the work’s origin, process and motivations behind it; to unfold different levels of communication and extend the dense and short juncture in most dance festivals. This allows different cultures and perspectives to develop over time, supporting artists and participants to communicate organically. At the same time, a writer group was formed to bring dance records from comments only for particular works to various discussions about “choreography”. The possibilities of dance
commentary, choreography and views are explored from different perspectives, generating more ideas that can be discussed before and after the ephemeral performance, connect directly with the local dance community, and experiment with the way of archive. To plan such a platform for a dance company, to talk about #DANCELESS through dance is nothing more than to expand the existing definition of aesthetics and breakthrough behind different cultural contexts, in the hope of stimulating the local performing arts community and reflecting on itself. How dance, as one of the expressions that brings together perception, reason and primitiveness, connects people around the world today, sharing experiences and connecting with times. Only by opening up your mind, can you see more choices and freedom. Co-curators Ong Yong Lock, Joseph Lee Chief Editor (Dance writing) Dick Wong Dance Writing Chan Wai Lok, Dong Yan, Brian Yu Producer Michael Li International Public Relations and Marketing Wouter Bouchez Graphic Design Peter Bird Studio Videographer & Video Editor REDTEAM Programme Coordinator Yan Cheng Marketing Coordinator Chris Kwong
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Administration Coordinator Vincent Yik *The Arts Administration Internship Scheme is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Curators’ Word Discomfort signals the beginning of communication - Joseph Lee This year’s #DANCELESS complex concludes with Borderline, the two performances in one night comprises a re-run of Drifting and the work-in-progress showing created by four choreographers from Hong Kong and South Korea. There are a total of five local programmes and eight works in this year’s project with a theme on “Choreographic Methodologies”. With the aim of promoting choreography as a tool for discourse, all the performances attempt to explore from various perspectives how creative methodologies, tools, modes of collaboration and power structures could influence the aesthetics of a work when creating contemporary theatrical performances, in addition to the presentation of the work itself. The process of curation was not meant to deliberately impose definitions on ‘dance’ or ‘#danceless’, nor is it an attempt to establish a new school of binary aesthetics or style. Instead, it is a distillation of the observations of the curatorial team, where it was discovered that contextual and mature approaches and methodologies are more likely to bring about a tint of uniqueness and heterogeneity in a piece of work. Through
curating the programmes for the entire festival (including but not limited to performances, residency programmes and workshops), the curatorial team hopes to highlight the importance of the creative process and attempts to discuss the value of experimentation beyond the theme and before the generation of the viewing experience. Many performances in this year’s festival tried to experiment on the possibilities of creation through cross-cultural and crosssectoral forms, which would no doubt include the work-in-progress showing of Borderline. This cross-boundary collaboration, connecting choreographers from Hong Kong and South Korea, was communicated and “collaborated” through year-long exchanges via emails, zooms, video recordings and others. What was originally intended to be cross-border residency programme had in the end moved its way to cloud computing, and the initial three-week physical residency was transformed into online discussions and collaborations which lasted over a year and all the way until the end of the performance. Working and exchanging via virtual platforms lacks the warmth and touch usually afforded by face-to-face meetings. There is also no longer any clear beginning or end, often swaying in between the conditions of waiting for replies, translating, and being alone in their respective
spaces trying to respond to the topic. This is no doubt a protracted battle or patience and resilience – frictions, disagreements, divergences and communication failures and strained relationships – all begin to surface during the drawn-out process in comparison to the previous collaborations. Who says that one can only showcase a rosy picture of collaboration? Collaborations are inherently complicated and unpredictable, and this is in fact where the value of collaboration lies. As both the curator and choreographer, I truly felt the pain of such inconveniences is what drives communication and understanding, and shows (through screens) the contrast in expectations. Only when we are willing to admit to falling short and through the discomfort and anxiety that comes with it, can we find a creative direction that both sides genuinely agree on. Difference should be a value that we hope to embrace. Perhaps the theme of the collaboration is how to work together on equal footings through harmony and difference. Undeniably, with one side being the one with more resources, that initiated the project and extended invitations, there is an inherently unequal power dynamic between us and the choreographers we are working with. However, trying to determine whether decisions and choices made on either side depends on power dynamics requires self-
awareness which is constantly being calibrated. The other re-run, Drifting, showcases a different kind of performance, where random but repetitive rhythmic movements try to construct different meanings and the possibility of interpreting the body. Not only has the re-run been brewing for two years, two new performers Paula Wong and Jimmy Suen have also been brought onboard. The role of choreographer no longer overlaps with the performer, and with more space and distance for observation, the performance has also been adjusted with the new performers. The two explore the boundaries of freedom in a construct of improvisation, listening to each other and the changes in music with the live DJ to reflect the energy of their own performance. Under this defined framework, they tap into the fluidity of their own narrative, and experiment with another way to mould a performance. After reading the house programme and watching the show, feel free to pick up a card designed with heart by our team. On it are not only exquisite portraits of the local artists we have worked with this time, the QR Code on the back takes you to an online archive of words compiled for the entire #DANCELESS complex, including pieces on the 10 performances by four of our friends who write about dance, as well as various published reviews and impressions in the media.
We wish that after these six months when the shows are over and the lights go out, the words remain to guide us forward through memories and give direction on our thoughts in the future.
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Drifting
Wandering off from the daily rituals, we drift together. The work explores the use of video games and dance moves as means of projecting the modern consciousness, so as to reach a physical state different from everyday life during the process. Strong musical beats and rhythms connect video game characters and instinctive movements to repetitive rhythms, allowing the dancers to transcend the shackles imposed by the physical body. Creative Team Choreography & Concept
Joseph Lee Devising Dancers
Paula Wong, Jimmy Suen DJ and Live Game Player
Lawrence Lau Premiere Devising Dancer
Holmes Cheung Premiere Rehearsal Assistant
Sharon Tam Costume Design
Toby Crispy *The premiere of this production was presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Joseph Lee Choreography & Concept Joseph Lee began his dance training at seventeen. Graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Place, London Contemporary Dance School in the United Kingdom. Lee is currently the Associate Artistic Director of Unlock Dancing Plaza, curating a series of contemporary dance programs and platforms to foster artistic discourse in the performing arts field locally and internationally. Through the reading, transfer, and re-enactment of bodily experience, Lee questions the performative nature of everyday life in contemporary society. His work is focused on expanding the audience’s imaginary horizons of choreography by creating and performing with the body and other alternatives. He is also keen on transdisciplinary collaboration as a way to enrich and reflect on his own practices. Recent choreography includes Folding Echoes (2016), The World was Once Flat (2018), Drifting (2019) and We Are Spectacles (2021). Artist Website: www.josephwnlee.com
Jimmy Suen Devising Dancer Jimmy Suen (Suen Nam) graduated from the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity and the Hong Kong Design Institute, majoring in Music and Creative media. Suen is one of the members of the hip-hop street dance group, “FlowRulerz”. He is an experienced performer and creator in the performing arts field, such as dance, theatre, and music. He has collaborated with artists including Charmaine Fong, E-Kids, and Andy So. Choreography work includes JointIVE Mass Dance, Spark 2021 Home X presented by the British Council, The Box 2.0 Strange Contact presented by the HKSDA. He was also the creator and performer for The Smallest Little Thing and Mokita premiered at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Series by the Hong Kong Arts Festival. He has participated as a movement director in Happy TV Most Birthday to Me by 100 Most, The Fading Spark, and The Unspoken by Thoughtful Theatre. Suen is also experimenting with different music genres as a DJ. Composing work includes Between you and me and Bent.
Paula Wong Devising Dancer Wong Pona Paula, an independent choreographer and performer based in Hong Kong. Graduated from Chinese Culture University Dance Department in 2019, majoring in Contemporary Dance. Her recent performance includes Maze 3.0 by Passoverdance Company (2019). Tenacity by Passoverdance Company (2019). Unlock Body Lab:Dance-to-be by Unlock Dancing Plaza (2020). Imagination Boom 5 by E-Side Dance Company.
Residency: Choi X Kang Project X Joseph Lee X KT Yau Work-in-progress Showing The four choreographers began their cross-border dialogue last year, exchanging views, proposing ideas, discussing, listening, and creating works virtually. Ideas and questions on the mode of collaboration, the possibility of having dialogues on an equal footing, and the limitations of language as a medium for communication were accumulated during the process. Yet, none of these limited their imaginations to the square horizon and showcase the results of their crossborder dialogues to the audience. Concept and Performance
Joseph Lee, KT Yau, Choi Min Sun, Kang Ji Nan
KT Yau Concept and Performance Yau was born in Hong Kong. She is now the resident choreographer of Unlock Dancing Plaza. Yau received the Award for Young Artist at the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2018, she also received the Emerging Choreographer Award at the Hong Kong Dance Awards 2018. As a dancer, she has collaborated with a variety of renowned companies and artists. Recently she has devoted herself into creation and her works were invited to perform in Sweden, Japan, Singapore, Shanghai, Guangzhou etc.
Choi X Kang Project Concept and Performance Choi X Kang Project is a project group based in Seoul, South Korea founded by two members; Choi Min Sun and Kang Jin An in 2015. The group is looking for an intuitive way to create motions and focus on the process of connecting external devices to the body through diverse experiments. Choi x Kang Project Website: http://choixkangproject.creatorlink.net
Words from the Choreographer – Choi X Kang Project Concept and Performance
Choi Min Sun What is collaboration genuinely? The research work began with the hope that four artists in Hong Kong and South Korea could make the same voice without hiding behind in the same position as choreographers, and that each of them would exert valuable power. It was a meaningful time to find out the future possibilities of cocreation and search for the attitude and value of unknown opponents, just like the warm-up sprint before starting the real race. The four choreographers stood in a common position where we can't force our own way or hide behind by presenting our interests to the state and bringing interpretations to other choreographers in our own ways. As such, it was impressive that the various forms unfolded in various directions and were open to unexpected ways. If we had tried to find only the common denominator from the beginning, I am not sure if we felt respect for each other's ways. Nevertheless, this process is thought to be sufficient as a warm-up for a full race, and finding something that can penetrate the unfolding branches of thought will remain as a challenge to overcome obstacles among the four collaborators.
Concept and Performance
Kang Jin An This project was carried out in a completely different direction due to a common global crisis. Originally, bodies that were far away had to meet in person, but each of us formed a single space called video and proceeded with various attempts. These attempts were perhaps a light start, but our methods seemed new to me as if I was out of control, and different directions came out where I didn't think of. Inside the space in the video, we did not ask each other to understand and did not want any intentions and interference to be involved. Nevertheless, there seemed to be some influence in each other's relationship. Through this process every week, it seemed to stabilize a little, and good attempts and questions came and went. It was a different start from the original intention, but I thought that the flow that was not too urgent was rather an advantage. In addition, I thought that language is an important part of this project, and that there would be difficulties in communicating because each language is different. However, it was interesting to see the variation of the results due to gaps and errors in the exchange of words, and it was impressive that the mediator (producer) who interpreted and delivered the words of the workers in this project arranged the inconvenience and suggested the situation. What was originally planned was changed and proceeded with other forms of work, but this is also an uncertain future. However, I think what I gained from this process will have a clear and obvious impact on the future.
Artists Team Artistic Director Ong Yong Lock Associate Artistic Director Joseph Lee Resident Choreographer KT Yau *
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Resident Artists Andy Lee, Kerry Cheung , James Yau
Management Team Project Manager Michael Li Outreach Officer Tiffany Ko #
Programme and Marketing Trainee Chris Kwong Project Officers Charlotte Wong, Violet Li Transmedia Content Creator Vincent Yik Community Arts Mediator John Wen Accounting Officer (Part-time) Amy Chan Administrative Assistant (Part-time) Choi Ka Lin *Employed on contract basis
#The Arts Administration Internship Scheme is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Presented By
Media Partners
Acknowledgement
"#DANCELESS complex" is financially supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region The content of this programme does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Unlock website www.unlock.com.hk #DANCELESS complex website www.dancelesscomplex.com Facebook www.facebook.com/unlockdancing Instagram www.instagram.com/unlockdancingplaza Youtube www.youtube.com/UnlockDancingPlaza