Taiwanese choreographer Hsing Ya Wu Performs Contemporary dance in London, Exploring Self-Identity

Taiwanese choreographer Hsing Ya Wu performed her contemporary dance piece CHIAROSCURO at Chisenhale Dance Space in London yesterday. The performance featured her solo dance, along with contributions from UK-based dancers, musicians, and producers, culminating in a piece that has been in the making for three years.

The title of Hsing Ya Wu’s piece, CHIAROSCURO, refers to the contrast between light and shadow. Drawing from Taiwan's multicultural background, the piece explores her identity as a Taiwanese, incorporating elements such as yellow balloons, live music, paint, and a blend of Taiwanese and Western contemporary dance. The creation of this piece went through various stages, beginning three years ago during the pandemic.

In 2022, she performed her piece BLACK & WHITE at the Resolution 2022 Art Festival in London and later participated in a residency program in Paris. Over time, she evolved and adapted her earlier works, receiving a grant from the National Culture and Arts Foundation (Taiwan) to complete this nearly 60-minute piece.

In an interview with CNA, Hsing Ya Wu shared that she has lived in London for nearly six years. Her experiences during this time, especially joining a UK-based dance company, provided fresh inspiration for her creative work. She recalled that during the pandemic, as an Asian wearing a mask, she was often treated as a freak, which deepened her awareness of her own identity.

The yellow balloon used in the performance symbolizes skin and the face for her. She invited David Evans, a UK-based dancer, to perform a duet with her, exploring themes of self-identity.

For the music, Hsing Ya initially based it on works by Taiwanese composer Holy Chang, incorporating classic Taiwanese folk songs like "Longing for the Spring Breeze." She blended elements of Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Japanese, then collaborated with UK-based musician Stefano Ancora to rearrange the music. The creative process involved continuous layering and interaction, resulting in the final composition.

Stefano Ancora praised the unique and unfamiliar melodies of the Taiwanese composer’s work, describing the style as refreshing.

Hsing Ya also noted the differences between Taiwanese and British contemporary dance. While Taiwanese dancers have a strong technical foundation, there is a greater emphasis on creativity in the UK. After working with UK-based dance companies and honing her skills, her creative style became bolder.

The performance was completely sold out, with additional seating needed to accommodate all attendees. Many adults and children came to enjoy her work. Hsing Ya places great importance on audience feedback and arranged a Q&A session after the performance to engage with them.

When asked for advice for emerging choreographers, Hsing Ya said that choreography is a journey of continuous learning, and she is still exploring along the way. She resets herself every day and starts anew. A dancer’s body is the medium for performance, and even without inspiration, daily training is essential, though the process can often feel lonely, she said. Regarding her future plans, Hsing Ya’s goal is to bring her work to more places and share it with a wider audience. Her next performance will be held online this November. 

ditor: Jui-Hua Tien
15th September 2024