Dumb Instrument Dance / Ziyian Kwan
The Odd Volume
Photo credits: David Cooper of Ziyian Kwan
Dumb Instrument Dance / Ziyian Kwan
Dumb Instrument Dance provides environments for the research, creation and performance of contemporary dance and by extension, contemporary art. Through the Artistic Direction of Ziyian Kwan, our work ranges from gritty on the ground advocacy to polished choreographic productions. We aspire to artfully challenge the status quo and to connect with audiences by celebrating the vast richness of human experience. Stemming from collaborative exchange, we produce works that are collages of text, imagery and movement poetics. ‘ I am my heart’s dumb instrument ’.
The Odd Volume
The Odd Volume is an autobiographical solo that sources Ziyian Kwan’s memories of 70’s Vancouver to subvert a lifetime of internalized racism and racialization. Vignettes both poignant and bold, consider tensions of cultural displacement and assimilation. Central to the piece are questions around Ziyian’s immigrant experience as a first generation person of colour: what does it mean to yearn to belong yet feel that one will never arrive? Leaning into the poetic dissonance of vulnerability, the work unsilences the odd volume of one womxn’s identity and maps a road to healing.
The Odd Volume Remixed is a short video companion piece, filmed in the locations where life took place 45 years ago, featuring Ziyian with young dancer Joshua Wei and captured by award winning videographer David Cooper.
The live and digital work can be programmed together or separately.
Photo credits: David Cooper of Ziyian Kwan
The Odd Volume was featured by Spotlight Canada at Edinburgh Fringe 2021. Here is the pitch that encapsulates the digital and live work, with commentary from choreographer Ziyian Kwan and presenting colleague Cathy Levy of The National Arts Centre, NAC Dance.
Performance History of The Odd Volume
Premiere: July, 2019 Dancing On The Edge Festival
November 21, 2019: The Dance Centre's Biennial Dance In Vancouver: Presenter Showcase
Oct 29, 2020: The National Arts Centre NAC Dance: Danse Forth
Links to other video footage of the work:
Video companion piece: The Odd Volume Remixed encapsulates the arc of the live performance in locations where events took place 45 years ago https://vimeo.com/ziyiankwan/oddvolumeremixed
Excerpts from live performance 4 minutes: https://vimeo.com/ziyiankwan/oddvolume4minutes
Project Details
Choreographer(s)/Creator(s) Name(s):
Ziyian Kwan
Additional Key Artistic Collaborators:
Creative Consultant: Tedd Robinson
Lighting Design: James Proudfoot
Performer: Joshua Wei (The Odd Volume Remixed)
Videographer David Cooper (The Odd Volume Remixed)
Research Collaborators: Francesca Frewer, Alexa Mardon, Emmalena Fredriksson, Deanna Peters, Rianne Svelnis, Erika Mitsuhashi, Kelly McInnes
Audience: General
THE ODD VOLUME is intended for general audiences. It is suitable for adults and youth. The piece has educational content in terms of potential for educators to talk with youth and young adults about cultural identity, racism and perceptions of racialization. There is 1 minute of non-frontal nudity and a few swear words, neither of which are related to sexual or violent context and both of which can be adjusted to be appropriate for young audiences.
Length in minutes: The Odd Volume: 40-minute live performance. The Odd Volume Remixed: 6-minute digital companion piece
Space required: Adaptable to theatres, studios, galleries
Preparation required:
General technical requirements: The performance has basic tech requirements. Lighting design is adaptable to theatre plots. A sound system with channels for microphone and music are required. The piece tours with an assembled digital piano, which is played live on stage by the performer. The piece also tours with a small piano bench, cordless microphone and a a number of small props. The piece can be performed in a studio setting or in theatre.
Availability: June 2022 onwards
Number of performers on tour including choreographer: 1
Number of support staff on tour: 2
Community Engagement Activities
COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS. Ziyian has a strong interest in facilitating and learning from discussions around POC immigrant experience and ways to subvert racialization and racism. This could be done post-show or in a workshop situation adjunct to performances. The objective is to create space to talk, listen and share with others who are like and unlike ourselves.
MOVEMENT WORKSHOPS: Suitable for adults and youth. Dance experience not required.
1) Somatic Workshop - The Itcush Method of The Mitzvah Technique
Exercises for alignment and release taught by Ziyian Kwan who is a certified teacher of the Itcush Method.
2) Improvisation - 1.5 hr workshop: A series of improvisational scores that create space for play and imagination. Suitable for dance students or community dancers. All ages.
Contact: Dumb Instrument Dance / Ziyian Kwan, dumbinstrumentdance@gmail.com
Website: dumbinstrumentdance.com
Facebook: dumbinstrumentdance
Instagram: dumbinstrumentdance