Nyoba Kan’s 7th Butoh Festival in Malaysia
Picture by Yii Kah Hoe
(Video by James Lee)
Malaysian Butoh-inspired dance company Nyoba Kan’s Butoh Festival has entered into its seventh year. Presumably one of the most important performing arts event in Malaysia, its programming has always been no less than eclectic and — to many average Malaysian theatre-goers — artistic. From inviting world renowned Butoh masters Waguri, to featuring The Ten Thousand Hands Arhat, to now The Rhapsody of River Wisdom, a festival programming inspired by the renowned Chinese painting Along the River During the Qing Ming Festival 《清明上河圖》; artistic director Lee Swee Keong has brought to the Malaysian shore the study and aesthetics of the Japanese Butoh as well as performances inspired by the post-war Japanese dance form in the avant garde theatre of the fifties and sixties.
In 2014, under Lee’s direction, Nyoba Kan takes inspiration from the China’s most renowned painting and assembles a group of Malaysian artists to present their works in and around performing arts space Damansara Performing Arts Centre located at Damansara Perdana, in the Malaysian city Petaling Jaya.
They include:
Artists in collaboration 艺术团队
Lee Swee Keong 李瑞强 Curator, Choreographer 策划，编舞
Yii Kah Hoe 余家和 composer, Diz 作曲 , 笛子
Ng Teck Hing 黄德欣 Guqin 古琴
Tew Tiong Ley 张忠烈Yangqin 扬琴
Ong May Yi 王美玉 Zhong ruan 中阮
Chan Yit Fei 陈逸飞 Cello大提琴
Kiea Kuan Nam 丘冠南 Butoh , Costume 舞踏， 服装
Liew Chui Ting 刘翠婷 Butoh 舞踏
Arson Ong 王俊文 Butoh 舞踏
David Lok 陆永生 Photographer 摄影
Joseph Foo 胡智义 Graphic Designer平面设计
James Lee 李添兴 Film Maker 影像
Tan Eng Heng 陈永兴 Lights Art 灯光
Pang Heng Khan 彭庆勤 Calligrapher书画
Ng Mei Yin 伍美燕 Dancer(USA) 舞蹈（美国）
Mimi Jeong 郑美美 Dancer (Germany) 特邀德国裔舞者
From classically trained musicians from the West and China, to fashion, graphic and lighting designers, to choreographers and dancers, the programme looks set to present a carnival-like performing arts showcase of works of invited artists.
This might be an inter-disciplinary project not commonly seen in the Malaysian performing arts scene. Films, dances, music and exhibitions will be digitally-appropriated to interact with audience members, as the programme promises.
What’s interesting lies in the festival’s attempt to replicate the excitement generated by a replica of the original painting during the World Expo in China entited The Lively Picture of Along the River During the Qing Ming Festival.
Animated version of the picture of Along the River During the Qing Ming Festival
Animated version of the picture of Along the River During the Qing Ming Festival
As much as the painting was made “alive” through the use of CGI effects, Lee Swee Keong attempts to make theatre and installation art alive for the audiences at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre.
Production Details:
Ticket price:
RM 68(Normal)/RM48 (Students & senior citizen)
Dcard members: RM60 (Normal) / RM40 (Students & senior citizen)
Dpac Tel: (+6)03-4065 0001 . 4065 0002 venue website: www.dpac.com.my
For more informaion & updates refer
facebook: Nyoba Kan Butoh fest 寿板舞踏祭 2014 – 清明上河图狂想曲
website: www.nyobakan.com.my