Paris-based dancer and choreographer Lin Yuan Shang brings his dance company Eolipile to the Philippines to perform two pieces known for their hypnotic display of movement and energy: ‘Kung Fu Dancing’ and ‘Kung Fu Commandos’.
Through the support of the French Embassy, Alliance Française and KLM, Filipino theatergoers can now witness a rare Kung Fu and contemporary fusion as the French company performs at the PETA Theater Center this June.
The Eolipile Dance Company, whose name comes from “Aeolus” - God of the Winds, was founded in 1996 by Taiwanborn, Lin Yuan Shang who had attended the Beijing Opera School, before expanding his dance knowledge in France with founder of Théâtre du Soleil Ariane Mnouchkine and choreographer Maguy Marin.
In both his solo ‘Kung Fu Dancing’ and duo ‘Kung Fu Commandos’, Lin explores the connection between Kung Fu energy and contemporary dance; and how the two styles feed off of each other and meet to create an energetic fusion.
Kung Fu Dancing
Kung Fu Dancing sheds light on Kung Fu energy as an inspiration axis in the contemporary dance. Kung Fu comes from the “Tao” – a philosophy that draws into concrete and abstract fields; It deals with daily life and imagination. Its thoughts and principles sustain martial arts practice. This vision of the world builds in the energy making.
This is a commission from the theater Le Bateau Feu; the aim was to create a choreographic conference between artistic production and a teaching aid. Then, the show has changed into such an artistic production. The art of the choreographer, the dancer, his teaching, his need of the public.
Based on a choreographic conference on the link between Kung fu energy and contemporary dance. The performance can be cut in two parts: The solo, then a time for a debate that tries to give some precise references on contemporary dance and some key to appreciate and understand it.
Kung Fu Commandos
The choreographer Lin Yuan Shang created last October 2009, a special outdoor performance of contemporary dance, on the thematic of the art of war and martial arts.
Issued from the solo ‘Kung Fu Dancing’ based on the energy of martial arts in contemporary dance, ‘Kung Fu Commandos’ has been presented outdoors with two dancers and one musician.
The movements begin with the contact, the touch, then develops eventually into a dance fight. Long balloons are of use as accessory to the dancers who, beyond the imagination of the game which they evoke, can act as bombs and as border.
The energy of the movements is made in tones. Instruments are imagined and made by the composer Thierry Madiot, a French sound artist.
The internal energy appropriates for the Kung Fu is exactly exteriorized and freedom in the improvisation, so allowing to develop a new imagination of the forms and the body. It materializes through feelings and sensations of humanity giving to the abstraction of the dance a certain theatricality.
Kung Fu Dancing and Kung Fu Commandos will be performed at the PETA Theater Center, No 5 Eymard Drive New Manila, Quezon City (behind QC Sports Club) alongside contemporary movement pieces from two young Filipino artists, Rhosam Prudenciado Jr. and Donna Miranda on June 15 and 17, 2010; 7:00 pm. Tickets are Php300 each, Php250 for students.
For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA’s Marketing and Public Relations Office at 7256244, 4100821-22, 0917-8044428, 0916-5805153, petampro@yahoo.com.
