New York- based choreographer Shen Wei’s “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is set to take to the stage for two shows on June 21 and 22 at Macau Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Grand Auditorium, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the lyrical contemporary dance show has been inspired by the life and writings of Song Dynasty (960–1279) poet Su Dongpo (1037-1101).
In addition to being a poet, Wikipedia notes that Sū Shì, whose courtesy name was Zizhan (子瞻) and had the pseudonym Dongpo (東坡), was also an essayist, stateman, calligrapher, painter, gastronome, and travel writer. He is “widely regarded as one of the most accomplished figures in classical Chinese literature”, according to Wikipedia.
The upcoming performance incorporates artistic expressions from visual effects and calligraphy to painting and tai chi. It also features a combination of guqin, a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument, and modern music conceived by Chinese-French composer Chen Qigang.
Shen, according to the website of his contemporary dance company “Shen Wei Dance Arts”, was born in Hunan province in 1968 to Chinese opera professionals. The website notes that he has received awards such as the MacArthur “Genius” Award in 2007 and a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, among others. He is also a painter and director.
Shen, the IC statement said, created the “stylised vision” of the show with the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, which is “widely known” across the nation, with successful international tours at venues such as New York’s Lincoln Centre.
Tickets for the show will be available from 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Macao Ticketing Network. For more details, visit www.icm.gov.mo and www.ccm.gov.mo, while one can call 2840 0555 for enquiries.
This poster provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) promotes the upcoming “Dongpo: Life in Poems” performance, which will take place in June at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM).
