Shatter the silence of social mores
Out of the shadows, into the light
How do social norms prevent communication? Dance artists from Hong Kong and mainland China seek an answer in this playful, incisive double bill. Elephant in the Room (2019 CDS) is an ensemble portrait of the masks we wear to shield entirely visible but inconvenient truths, devised by amateur and professional dancers in collaboration with Beijing-based choreographer Chang Xiaoni. The work’s themes of confronting silence and alienation will inevitably be heightened in this version, revised under the isolating impact of a global pandemic. Dirty is a brand-new collaborative creation by dancers Dever Chan (Hong Kong) and Gong Zhonghui (Guizhou) developed online collaboration. Inspired by the clash of values inherent in the Putonghua word deti (proper) and its English phonetic equivalent “dirty”, the two creators explore societal restrictions on the body while invoking the wild, animalistic origins of movement.
Commissioned and produced by HKAF
Elephant in the Room *
Choreography Chang Xiaoni (Beijing)
Creation and Performance Anson Chan, Kenny Leung, Kerry Cheung ^, Li Bin (Gansu), Michael Tong and Carmen Yu
Videodomting
Co-production withYoung Artists’ Platform (Beijing)
Lighting DesignZoe Cheung
Sound DesignJaycee Kwok
Dirty #
Choreography and Performance Dever Chan and Gong Zhonghui (Guizhou)
VideoStephanie Chung
Co-production with Young Artists’ Platform (Beijing)
^ With kind permission of Unlock Dancing Plaza * Premiered in the 8th CDS at the 47th HKAF in 2019
# New Work commissioned and produced by the Hong Kong Arts FestivalRead the House Programme
CDS 10th Anniversary Digital Database
https://cds.artsfestival.org/
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CDS 10th Anniversary Documentary
Episode 1: Pursuit of Excellence
https://video.artsfestival.org/m/ZVbWjTzI/plus-CDS-10th-anniversary-documentary/
Artists: Wong Tan-ki, Rock Fang, Justyne Li, Wayson Poon, Ata Wong
Language: In Cantonese with Chinese & English subtitle
Episode 2: Breakthrough
https://video.artsfestival.org/m/Le4P3Z1A/plus-CDS-10th-anniversary-documentary/
Artists: Tracy Wong, Mao Wei, Hugh Cho, Blue Ka-wing, Alice Ma
Language: In Cantonese with Chinese & English subtitles
Episode 3: Self-Development
https://video.artsfestival.org/m/6NfG2v5J/plus-CDS-10th-anniversary-documentary/
Artists: Ivy Tsui, Kenny Leung, Chloe Wong, Pak Wei-ming, Sudhee Liao, Victor Fung
Language: In Cantonese and English with Chinese & English subtitles
Episode 4: Crossover
https://video.artsfestival.org/m/cmLmP6Ou/plus-CDS-10th-anniversary-documentary/
Artists: Alain Chiu (Composer/Live musician) and Max Lee (Choreographer), Peter Lenaerts (Sound Artist) and Wayson Poon (Choreographer), Goh Boon Ann (Lighting Designer)
Language: In Cantonese and English with Chinese & English subtitles
Episode 5: Cultural Exchange
https://video.artsfestival.org/m/Vzb5F0ZJ/plus-CDS-10th-anniversary-documentary/
Artists: Alessandro Sciarroni (Italy), Mao Wei and student performers; and Jos Baker (UK)
Language: In Cantonese and English with Chinese & English subtitles
Episode 6: Inheritance
https://video.artsfestival.org/m/aIJOHyHR/plus-CDS-10th-anniversary-documentary/
Artists: Xing Liang, Mui Cheuk-yin & Daniel Yeung, and teachers from participating schools in outreach programme
Language: In Cantonese with Chinese & English subtitles
