Shen Wei Dance Arts

Known for visually rich compositions, Shen Wei Dance Arts presents Re- (Parts I, II, and III), a choreographic journey through Tibet, Ankgor Wat, and the new Silk Road.

Apr 29 - 30, 2010
Eisenhower Theater
Approx. 2 hours
$22.00 - $60.00

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Tickets go on sale February 10, 2010 to the public - Remind Me;
February 1, 2010 to Kennedy Center Members
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About the Program

Shen Wei Dance Arts
Shen Wei, Artistic Director

Re- (I, II, III)

"Both deeply traditional and thrillingly new"
--The Washington Post

"Wonderfully conceived, overwhelming, and delicious"
--Dance Magazine

Called "one of the great artists of our time" by the Washington Post, choreographer and Kennedy Center artist-in-residence Shen Wei is known for his interdisciplinary style--blending modern dance with elements from the theater, visual arts, Chinese Opera, philosophy, and architecture. In an era of cynicism and grit, his company, Shen Wei Dance Arts, stands apart as optimistic and unapologetically beautiful.

On the heels of contributing to the choreography of the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics, Shen Wei brings a triptych that, as a whole, engages concepts of rejuvenation and renewal, inspired by his travels.

Re- (Part I) is a lyrical response to his physical, visual, and spiritual experiences in Tibet. To alternating stretches of silence and haunting Tibetan chants, eight dancers breeze across a Mandala made of colored paper shards, which is gently and methodically destroyed to make way for a moment of stirring stillness. Regarded as "a triumph" by the Washington Post following the company's presentation in October 2008, Re- (Part I) has new material.

Danced second, Re- (Part III), is a choreographic meditation on China's ancient trade route, the Silk Road, integrated with the hyper-modern present-day Beijing. Fourteen dancers move to music commissioned by Shen Wei Dance Arts from David Lang.

In the breathtaking Re- (Part II) for 14 dancers, photographs of Angkor Wat taken by Shen Wei frame haunting movements set to a sound collage of jungle noises recorded by Shen Wei, Cambodian folk music, and additional music from his frequent collaborator, British composer John Tavener. Note: this part contains partial nudity, male and female dancers from the waist up.

Timing: Part 1 - 26 min.; Intermission - 20 min.; Part 2 - 25 min.; Intermission - 20 min.; Part 3 - 28 min.

Explore the Arts: Post-performance discussion on Thursday, April 29, FREE with your performance ticket.

Shen Wei Dance Arts is funded in part by the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and additional funding from the Ford Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation.

All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

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