in collaboration with Florence Dance Festival

“A physicality that marries the contemporary with elements of Chinese dance and martial arts… Moments of suspension alternate with frenetic movement…  A body that is not so much contorted as distorted by a lens of emotion – emotion that shows not on the face, but pours out from the core of the body. The aesthetic is beautiful, in a wild surreal way between dream and nightmare.”
Chan Sze Wei, ArtsEquator Online, 19 ottobre 2018

In a world of rapid political and social change, we experience loud volumes of opinions and beliefs, many extreme and absolute. Finding one’s personal belief and identity becomes increasingly complicated.
In Invisible Habitudes, choreographer Swee Boon Kuik explores these issues through the language of dance—where solidity and fluidity intersect—in a dialogue between the body and its environment.
The performance was created using T.H.E Dance Company’s “hollow body” methodology, an improvisation-based approach that focuses on the relationship between the mind, body and heart, where the body is a hollow container that carries an individual’s world.
Invisible Habitudes expresses the authentic experiences of each dancer, telling the story of a fluid identity woven from memory, childhood, culture and ethnicity. Each unique body upholds inclusivity and compassion as antidotes to the relentless pursuit of one’s convictions at the expense of others.

Described as a dance company ‘at the top of its game’, T.H.E Dance Company, founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Swee Boon Kuik, has become a household name in Singapore and the region, having commissioned and performed at most major local arts festivals (Singapore Arts Festival, Esplanade da:ns festival, Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, to name a few) and in prestigious international festivals such as Les Hivernales Festival in Avignon, France; Oriente Occidente Festival in Rovereto, Italy; SIDance Festival and Seoul Performing Arts Festival in South Korea; Beijing and Guangdong Dance Festival in China; Yokohama Dance Collection at TPAM and Niigata International Dance Festival in Japan; Auckland Arts Festival (New Creation Commission) 2016 in New Zealand.
With its unique brand of highly physical and kinetic works, T.H.E digs deep into the universal human experience. At the heart of its works lies a connection with heritage and collective history as Singaporeans, juxtaposed with incisive, insightful observations on modern society. A continual pursuit of authentic expression led Kuik to initiate the “hollow body” methodology. The practice aims to nurture our dancers as all-rounded performers able to convey the essence of their identity and lived experiences through the full spectrum of physical, emotional, philosophical and meaningful expression.

Founder and Artistic Director of T.H.E Dance Company and the M1 CONTACT Contemporary Dance Festival (Singapore) and co-Artistic Director of Malaysia’s D’MOTION International Dance Festival (2013 – 2015), Swee Boon Kuik was the first Asian principal male dancer with Spain’s Compañia Nacional de Danza (CND) from 2002 – 2007. During his career with the CND, he worked mainly with Nacho Duato as well as renowned choreographers like Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin and Wim Vandekeybus. Prior to joining the CND, he began his dance career in 1990 with the Singapore People’s Association Dance Company and Singapore Dance Theatre.
Kuik’s exceptional artistry led him to receive a nomination in 2003 or the Benois de la Danse Award. In 2007, he was awarded the Young Artist Award from the National Arts Council of Singapore (NAC). He founded T.H.E Dance Company in September 2008. Since its establishment, T.H.E has quickly ascended to become a well-known company locally and in Asia. His critically acclaimed works include Silence (2007), As It Fades (2011), collaboration works RE:OK…BUT (2011) and Above 40 (2015) were recognised as amongst the best of shows in their respective years. Kuik’s works have also toured to prestigious international estivals, including festival-closing performances at the Les Hivernales festival in Avignon, France. In 2016, Kuik initiated and continues to develop the “hollow body” methodology for T.H.E’st training system and performances.

artistic, director & choreographer: Swee Boon Kuik
music director, composer & live performer: Yujun Wang
lighting designer: Adrian Tan
costume designer: An Ni Loo
performers: Antea Seah, Brandon Khoo, Billy Keohavong, Lynette Lim, Zu You Ng, Klievert John Mendoza
production manager: Cindy Yeong
stage manager: Shining Goh
assistant stage manager: Gordon Lai
set realisation: Artfactory
sound engineer: Rong Zhao

with the support of

Invisible Habitudes was commissioned and presented as a world premiere by Esplanade – Theaters on the Bay, Singapore on the occasion of da:ns festival 2018.

[photo: Bernie Ng]