Wen Wei Dance
Two
Photo credits: Daria Mikhaylyuk
Wen Wei Dance
Wen Wei Dance’s work reflects a multiplicity of dance and social experiences. Each creation is influenced by the evolution of personal identity, and strives to reflect the underlying experience of social, cultural and personal development. Wen Wei Dance creates provocative performances of a distinctive trans-cultural sensibility. With a highly individual style, Artistic Director Wen Wei Wang fuses precise choreography with stunning visual design and music, turning each work into a rich and unique world. Since 2003 the company has created a repertoire of full-length works including Two, Ying Yun, Dialogue, Made in China, 7th Sense, Cock-Pit (Rio Tinto Alcan Performing Arts Award winner), Under the Skin (co-created with the Beijing Modern Dance Company), Three Sixty Five, Unbound (Isadora Award for Excellence in Choreography winner), One Man’s, and Tao. Wen Wei Dance has performed these acclaimed works across Canada and at festivals around the world.
Two
‘Two’ is a reflection on the nuances of human connection. Prolonged social distance stretched and twisted the fabric of relationships, while uniting the community in our experience. The duet is a dialogue between the dancers — longing for closeness and connection that overcomes division. The movements convey deeply relatable feelings, while highlighting the resilient nature of humanity. As the whole planet slowed, in many ways the pandemic was a metaphor for life, or at least of some of its manifestations: the unknown, love, loss, friendship, identity, fear and distance. The work consists of a live performance intertwined with a film divided into three chapters. The distance between the dancers is like a dark tunnel through which a dialogue of movement is established—at first small and gestural, only just breaking through the isolation. Though separated, they’re unified by shared emotions and imaginations, which act like moving pictures through time and space.
Photo credits: Daria Mikhaylyuk
Performance History of Two
live premiere of ‘Two’ at the Dancing on the Edge festival (DOTE) in July 2021.
Wen Wei Dance is picking up where the company left off when the pandemic forced the postponement of the ‘Ying Yun’ tour in early 2020. Despite restrictions, we made the best of an unprecedented situation with the following activities. Upcoming presentation dates include: Oliver, BC - September 30, 2021: ‘Ying Yun’ at the Venables Theatre; Salt Spring Island, BC - March 24-25, 2022: ‘Ying Yun’ at Artspring; Halifax, NS - March 30, 2022: ‘Ying Yun’ at Live Art Dance.
Project Details
Project created by: Wen Wei Wang in collaboration with the dancers
Key Collaborators: Choreographer: Wen Wei Wang
Performers: Justin Calvadores, Calder White
Lighting Design: James Proudfoot
Original Music: Stefan Nazarevich
Managing Producer: Francesca Piscopo
Audience: General Audience
Length in minutes: Currently 25 minutes, but will be developed into a full length performance.
Space required: This work is built for the theatre
Preparation required: No
General technical requirements: ‘Two’ benefits from a simple set-up and can be presented in a variety of venues. The duration of the piece is currently around 25 minutes long but is being developed into a 60 minute performance. STAGE: Minimum stage dimensions: 30'-0" deep (9mts) x 40'-0" wide (12mts). SOUND: Recorded score can be played on a variety of sound systems. LIGHTS/VIDEO: Video-projector and a white cyc or screen at the back of the stage. Note: Full lighting requirements have been requested and can be provided at a later date.
Availabilities: It should be noted that some of the dates listed in the following questions are tentative, and the 2022/23 season onward hasn’t been fully planned at the moment. In addition to this, Artistic Director Wen Wei Wang may be in Edmonton at certain points in the year to fulfill his responsibilities as Artistic Director of Edmonton Ballet.
Available for season 2021/22 except the following dates - November 1 - 30 (TBC): Research for new work in collaboration with Francesca Lettieri (Artistic Director of company ADARTE)
Season 2022/23 is currently unknown. No firm obligations at this time.
Number of performers on tour: 2
Number of support staff on tour: 2 (Technical Support & Stage Manager)
Community Engagement Activities
Wen Wei Wang incorporates workshops and master classes into touring destinations as a way to connect with the local dance community—helping build and strengthen the network of dancers in Canada—as well as bring awareness and appreciation for Canadian dance on an international level. These workshops and master classes typically take place leading up to a presentation and are open to anyone interested in dance. Classes explore various styles and forms including elements of Tai Chi, martial arts, Peking Opera and ballet technique. Through improvisation, dialogue and experiments with physical language, the breath of the rhythm and release technique will be the foundation for creating unique movements to express meanings through the body and mind. Given the style of class, it is recommended that participants have some background in dance. Additional collaborators at workshops often include one or more of the dancers who are available.
Contact: Jonathan@wenweidance.ca
Agent/Manager: Francesca Piscopo, francesca@wenweidance.ca
Website: wenweidance.ca
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