Korean Choreographer at NY Dance Fest
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The annual 2008 DUMBO Dance Festival will be held from Sept. 25 to 28 in New York under Korean artistic director and choreographer Kim Young-soon. Marking its eighth year, the festival has been the venue for up and coming choreographers to show their artistic talents and share their ideas and works with the world.
``DUMBO'' is an acronym for ``Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,'' a neighborhood located in Brooklyn where aspiring yet poor artists gathered and shared their art. The festival is known to have contributed in transforming the mundane area into an artistic one.
This year, more than 80 troupes are participating, including eight from Korea.
``The festival will feature a wide range of works, from dramatic to humorous and even innovative. It also offers Korean artists the chance to introduce Korean dance to the American public,'' Kim said through an email interview with The Korea Times.
Kim started dancing when she was six years old and came to the United States after graduating from Ewha Womans University.
``I started dancing in New York in 1977, and people called me the `mysterious Asian dancer who dances with her black hair flying in the wind','' she said.
She is now working as artistic director of the White Wave Young Soon Kim Dance Company and is participating in various workshops and dance classes worldwide.
The dance festival is free of charge for guests and performers, with the exception of the gala performance, helping many artists join the event without any financial burden.
``It's the reason why the festival is so important to up and coming choreographers. We offer an open space for artists who want to come and just express their talents. The festival is giving them a chance to be free and show off their work with no financial burdens blocking them,'' said Kim.
Being Korean, Kim's interest in bringing more Korean dancers into the international spotlight is her dream, and she mentioned that experience is the key.
``Preparing for an event, big or small, is the best way to grow as an artist, and this is what Korean dancers need. The experience allows dancers to learn new techniques and also how to express their individuality,'' she said.
Kim also added that considering the growing interest in modern dance in Korea, there needs to be a stable support system.
``In order to bring the Korean dance scene to an international level, the government, businesses and dance organizations must support them financially,'' said Kim.
Dancing for 30 years is an achievement in itself, but doing it overseas is doubly challenging. What made Kim continue her journey as a dancer and choreographer?
``When Isadora Duncan first started modern dance, it was about being natural. Not with plots, ballet shoes or costumes, but with natural clothes and movements. Modern dance expresses the choreographer's philosophy and theme, without any boundaries. It shows people a vision. I want to make a masterpiece that will touch the audience and striving to do that is my lifelong mission,'' she said.