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Contemporary shades of a literary legend

Su Dongpo is undoubtfully a Chinese artist of many layers. Most representative of the literati spirit of an era, he has influenced every generation with his positivity and vibrancy, enthusiasm and devotion, optimism and broad-mindedness. Su integrated his exceptional thoughts into poems and lyrics, shaping and symbolising the most profound spiritual pursuit on traditional culture. The contemporary dance portrait Dongpo: Life in Poems unveils the literary icon’s fascinating story  through an innovative and holistic approach, seeking the spiritual common ground between the poet and the contemporary world, using the concise yet poetic expressions of modern art.

Every production is a brand-new challenge, and every innovation an attempt to challenge one’s own limits. Why recall Su Dongpo through movement? Before the show is taken to our stage, let us visualise the poetic ambience and ideals conveyed through the words of  Shen Wei. The New York based prolific creator and choreographer offers us some insightful impressions on his latest work.

Shenwei

Shen Wei
Choreographer, multi-artist and creator of
Dongpo: Life in Poems

Dongpo and I do have many things in common as we both love life, have a positive attitude, and believe that difficulties can be overcome by virtue of will and faith. With such optimism, I was able to unwaveringly pursue my goals when confronted with challenges throughout the creative process. I was at my studio in Paris in November 2021 when I received an invitation to turn the poet’s life into a performance. Over the following 20 months I found myself wedded to Dongpo: Life in Poems, a work that is, to date, the most demanding production I have ever worked on.

I am a very demanding person in life. I make my own furniture, so as to use the material, colour and style of my preference. Likewise, I put my mind and efforts into artistic creations to produce, exactly, what I truly wish for.

Su Dongpo had a strong interest in various art genres including music, calligraphy, and painting. I admire Su, and believe that art’s various forms may influence and adapt to one another, ultimately integrated into harmonious expressions. I also combine different artistic elements in my creations, expressing emotions and spirit in an integrated way. By intertwining the sensorial realm with rationality,  I hope my creations will resonate, allowing  the audience to understand the concepts and meanings contained in them.

In the beginning, I spent four months researching the poet, collecting a great deal of information, including poems, lyrics and background, hoping to find a way to present Su’s literary talent and charm on stage. When dealing with his image, I endeavoured  a way to connect the poet with contemporary society. Traversing hundreds of years in this dialogue, I became inspired by his works and spirit,  touched by his passion for life and interest in multiple cultures. His enthusiasm for life and humanity is conveyed in each line and passed down to new generations. These features have not only made an impact on us in the past, but also in the present and will keep influencing the future. Dongpo: Life in Poems was, finally, born after various attempts, as I looked into the essence of classical Chinese aesthetics, pondering on how to connect its tradition with contemporary views, combining Su’s language with movement. Adding to the enchantments of dance, this work  integrates diverse art forms, from beautiful calligraphy and seal carving techniques, to ethereal guqin music and traditional opera’s body movement.

In my works, I have always attached great importance to the harmony between sensory and intellectual beauty, believing that art can broaden one’s mind, inspire creativity with a potential for thinking and innovation. For me, art is a way to explore the future and the value of humanity, and I hope this production can resonate with the viewers, inspiring them. By integrating numerous art forms, I have endeavoured to create a work that touches hearts and may be understood by each and every soul.

DongPO-14
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Contemporary shades of a literary legend

The first leaps

Su Dongpo is undoubtfully a Chinese artist of many layers. Most representative of the literati spirit of an era, he has influenced every generation with his positivity and vibrancy, enthusiasm and devotion, optimism and broad-mindedness. Su integrated his exceptional thoughts into poems and lyrics, shaping and symbolising the most profound spiritual pursuit on traditional culture. The contemporary dance portrait Dongpo: Life in Poems unveils the literary icon’s fascinating story  through an innovative and holistic approach, seeking the spiritual common ground between the poet and the contemporary world, using the concise yet poetic expressions of modern art.

Every production is a brand-new challenge, and every innovation an attempt to challenge one’s own limits. Why recall Su Dongpo through movement? Before the show is taken to our stage, let us visualise the poetic ambience and ideals conveyed through the words of  Shen Wei. The New York based prolific creator and choreographer offers us some insightful impressions on his latest work.

Shenwei

Shen Wei
Choreographer, multi-artist and creator of
Dongpo: Life in Poems

Dongpo and I do have many things in common as we both love life, have a positive attitude, and believe that difficulties can be overcome by virtue of will and faith. With such optimism, I was able to unwaveringly pursue my goals when confronted with challenges throughout the creative process. I was at my studio in Paris in November 2021 when I received an invitation to turn the poet’s life into a performance. Over the following 20 months I found myself wedded to Dongpo: Life in Poems, a work that is, to date, the most demanding production I have ever worked on.

I am a very demanding person in life. I make my own furniture, so as to use the material, colour and style of my preference. Likewise, I put my mind and efforts into artistic creations to produce, exactly, what I truly wish for.

Su Dongpo had a strong interest in various art genres including music, calligraphy, and painting. I admire Su, and believe that art’s various forms may influence and adapt to one another, ultimately integrated into harmonious expressions. I also combine different artistic elements in my creations, expressing emotions and spirit in an integrated way. By intertwining the sensorial realm with rationality,  I hope my creations will resonate, allowing  the audience to understand the concepts and meanings contained in them.

In the beginning, I spent four months researching the poet, collecting a great deal of information, including poems, lyrics and background, hoping to find a way to present Su’s literary talent and charm on stage. When dealing with his image, I endeavoured  a way to connect the poet with contemporary society. Traversing hundreds of years in this dialogue, I became inspired by his works and spirit,  touched by his passion for life and interest in multiple cultures. His enthusiasm for life and humanity is conveyed in each line and passed down to new generations. These features have not only made an impact on us in the past, but also in the present and will keep influencing the future. Dongpo: Life in Poems was, finally, born after various attempts, as I looked into the essence of classical Chinese aesthetics, pondering on how to connect its tradition with contemporary views, combining Su’s language with movement. Adding to the enchantments of dance, this work  integrates diverse art forms, from beautiful calligraphy and seal carving techniques, to ethereal guqin music and traditional opera’s body movement.

In my works, I have always attached great importance to the harmony between sensory and intellectual beauty, believing that art can broaden one’s mind, inspire creativity with a potential for thinking and innovation. For me, art is a way to explore the future and the value of humanity, and I hope this production can resonate with the viewers, inspiring them. By integrating numerous art forms, I have endeavoured to create a work that touches hearts and may be understood by each and every soul.

DongPO-14