TAO Dance Theater, which has performed several times in Shenzhen, will bring their latest contemporary dance piece “11” from their renowned “Numerical Series” this weekend.
Breathing heavily and sweating, dancers move to the numbers they utter in low voices while walking fast from one direction to another. The air is humid and the noise they make between their feet and the ground is hard to ignore. Through dance, artistic director Tao Ye and his troupe explore the narrative power within simplistic bodily movements. The company’s minimalistic approach induces a feeling of connectivity, between men, nature, and its innate order.
Tao’s latest choreographic piece “11” is his longest piece so far, which is around one hour. “The number 11 presents conflict and harmony to me. Thus the choreography for the dance piece involves dancers moving to display the two characters,” says Tao. “Improvisation is also used in the dance piece, which is the hardest part for me. From their waists below, dancers move based on designed movements. Above their waists, they move impromptu, which will present 11 different dances.”
“When a dancer improvises, the moves he or she makes should be connected to the audience. The awareness of the body is crucial for the dancers. It’s like a conversation with themselves while they dance and the energy should be passed on to the audience,” he adds.
As a young choreographer, who has not only stood out among his peers of China’s burgeoning contemporary dance scene but also has captured global attention, Tao believes that dancing is beyond technique. He says that his dance works aim at inviting people to join in.
Tao joined the Jin Xing Dance Company in 2003. In 2005, he moved to Beijing, where he danced with the Beijing Modern Dance Company. In 2008, TAO Dance Theater started with a performance for three dancers, “Weight x 3,” which premiered in Beijing in 2009. Soon his unique choreography attracted attention and drew invitations.
Time: 3 p.m., Dec. 5
Tickets: 80-380 yuan
Booking: WeChat account “PingShanTheatre”
Venue: Pingshan Theater, Hekang Road, Pingshan District (坪山区荷康路坪山大剧院)
Transport: Take the high-speed rail from Shenzhen North Station to Pingshan Station and then take a taxi