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With the compositional rigor of a visual artist (the choreographer typically designs his own sets, costumes and make-up), Shen Wei incorporates vivid colors, striking design, and imaginative use of space into theatrical, kinetic paintings. Often staging his dances on a grand scale with a high level of production detail, his works have been celebrated for their ’gorgeous visual imagery’ (The London Times).
Following his creative exploration as a Park Avenue Armory Artist-in-Residence, Artistic Director Shen Wei and his company, Shen Wei Dance Arts, performs a bold world premiere work that heralds the next direction for the ensemble. Created during the Company’s 16-month residency at the Armory, Undivided Divided combines handcrafted scenic elements with expansive digital projection in a performance that makes dynamic use of the boundless possibilities available in the Wade Thompson Drill Hall. Sixty 7’x7’ visually distinct squares line the floor of the drill hall, providing 60 performance zones for the Company’s 32 dancers. Each is distinguished with its own vocabulary and aesthetic by the use of lighting, projections, and Shen Wei’s own scenic design elements. Twelve hand-crafted and performative installations line the rear perimeter of the stage space, designed to go beyond the visual and auditory aspects of the performance and create a wholly immersive experience. Audiences will be invited to move throughout the performance, creating moments of intimate engagement and highly individualized experiences. The evening-length program also includes restagings of two of Shen Wei’s most celebrated works: Rite of Spring (2003), a study of deliberate versus reflexive movement set to a four-hand piano arrangement of Stravinsky’s famous composition; and Folding (2000), which combines highly stylized movement with the ethereal melodies of John Tavener and traditional Tibetan Buddhist chants.
SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue (between 66th and 67th Streets), NYC
November 29 - December 3, 2011, at 7:30pm
December 4, 2011, at 2pm
Tickets: $35
Park Avenue Armory Ticket Hotline (212) 933-5812, www.ArmoryonPark.org
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