Experimental Dance Works to Go On Stage
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Dance fans will be pleased to find out that the local dance scene will see plenty of creative and experimental works this year. Numerous dance companies and choreographers are gearing up with new productions that they'll be able to enjoy soon.
The Shin Eun-kyeong Ballet company is bringing ``The Hymn of the Soul- Symphony 9,'' the story of legendary composer Beethoven. Symphony 9 is one of the German composer's best works, and the performance will show his faith in bringing peace to the world with symbolic movements and a touch of neoclassical elements. .
``We're aiming to show movements of joy simply and clearly. Whenever we confront despair, joy follows. Joy is a very familiar feeling almost everyone can understand,'' MCT Dance said.
With four scenes titled ``Beethoven's Funeral,'' ``Lonely Person,'' ``Lovers'' and ``The Breath of God,'' the climax will offer a full chorus, adding even more drama to the performance.
Shin is all about bringing creative repertoires to the local ballet scene, and by combining pure art and pop culture with ballet, she has gained recognition for her colorful work in recent years.
``Symphony 9'' will be on stage Feb. 18 at Mapo Arts Center. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 20,000 won. For more information call (02) 2263-4680.
The performances ``Strange Island'' by Kim Sun-i and ``Carnivores'' by Jang Eun-jung are part of Arko Arts Center's Pleasant and Creative Program under the ``Challenge'' and ``Choice'' categories, respectively. The center's program is aimed at bringing more experimental works and choreographers on stage and the two shows are expected to offer a breath of fresh air with their innovative movements and themes.
``Strange Island'' combines theater, singing and dance. As many viewers find contemporary dance difficult to follow, Kim simplified it by combining various genres.
``It's setting is the Galapagos Islands. Charles Darwin said that organisms evolved depending on their environment and new ones appear along the way, meaning that the really competitive ones survive to create the next generation. I wanted to portray this idea in my work: the last survivors dancing their way to life,'' Kim said through a statement.
Jang's ``Carnivores'' is meant to bring the audience and dancers together. It's about overcoming isolation, rather than isolation itself. For a more experimental experience, Jang arranged a film to be projected throughout the performance, allowing the dancers to move along with the light and sounds.
``Carnivores'' will appear on stage Feb. 6-7 while ``Strange Island'' will be on stage Feb. 18-22, both at the Arko Arts Theater. Tickets cost from 15,000 won to 30,000 won. For more information call (02) 2263-4680.