Rui Pastorin
The choreographer of the Macau Cultural Centre’s (CCM) latest show ‘Pulsating Morphosis’, Keith Lao Pui Lon (劉沛麟), told reporters yesterday that he will debut his first full-length choreography project, which shows his interpretation of Macau, the city’s memories and stories, on Saturday and Sunday.
Lao made the remarks at the Macau Cultural Centre in Nape during a meet-the-press event.
A CCM statement given out during yesterday’s event said that ‘Pulsating Morphosis’ is about Lao’s vision of Macau, portraying the city in three dimensions and reinventing it in different forms. The statement added that Lao devised the programme as the final stage of CCM’s cultural exchange project mentored by German-trained, Beijing-based Sang Jijia and the HK City Contemporary Dance Company. Ranging from the skyline and crowded pavements, to narrow streets, traffic lights and the uniqueness of the city’s odours, the statement highlighted that Pulsating Morphosis merges the aesthetics of human movement with a sprinkle of technology.
Lao said that the project is a collaboration between Macau, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, comprising two dancers from Guangzhou and three dancers from Macau. He pointed out that the performance’s creative team consists of Sang, who mentored the project, experimental Hong Kong sound artist Dickson Dee, and local visual designer O Chi Wai.
A performance that combines different elements
Lao told reporters that the performance will combine different elements, including visual arts, graphics, and video while “using the body as a medium.” The CCM statement further added that the show will combine different multi-media through sound, video and scent to “reconstruct the city in different forms.”
When asked about the message of the show, Lao replied that its main idea stemmed from Macau, the people, and collective memories about the city. He noted that he will perform these topics through his own angle, with the performance mainly focusing on the dancers, himself, and the stories and memories about Macau. He pointed out that his memories of Macau do not necessarily include the development of the gaming and tourism industry.
Lao further explained that his first impression of Macau, when he moved here as a 10-year-old, was the very narrow space in between the buildings in the city, adding that he can still recall the scent and the feelings he felt when he was in one of the narrow streets. He stressed that he wanted to use a different angle to talk about these ideas about the city, people, and memories.
Lao also described the set as having an “ever-impressive design”. When asked about the role of technology in the performance, Lao said that it is well-integrated in the show and, like the dancers, the technology will be one of the elements in the choreography.
Possibilities for future collaborations
Lao agreed that future collaborations in Macau between Guangzhou and Hong Kong is “a big trend” right now. He also commented on the situation brought on by COVID-19, stating that it has brought him several challenges, but also provided opportunities. He said that cooperation with different places, even between different countries and different time zones are made easy due to the internet, which could be both “a challenge and an opportunity”.
According to the statement, the performance will be staged at the Small Auditorium of the Macau Cultural Centre on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available from CCM’s box office and Macau Ticketing Network outlets for 180 patacas, which are also available at various discounts. More information about promotional offers and ticketing are available at www.ccm.gov.mo. Credit card ticketing or enquiries can made on hotline 2840 0555. The statement emphasised that due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, everyone on the premises must wear a facemask, present a valid Macau Health Code, and have their temperature checked.
Sang Jiajia (left) and Keith Lao Pui Lon pose during yesterday’s meet-the-press event at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape.
The undated handout photos show the rehearsal of “Pulsating Morphosis”.
