a collaboration between Fondazione Fabbrica Europa and Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
What has been does not always leave a mark, what continues is not always where you intend to go. Time can destroy many things, especially our memories.
Always slowly obscured by inertia…
Coiling, bending, extending, contorting, joining, separating, shifting, freezing, the bodies in As If To Nothing move in relentless flow, embracing realms of fragmentation and uncertainty, set against a moveable set, distortive video projections and live electronic music.
As If To Nothing examines the impermanence of memories with powerful, exquisite choreography by award-winning Tibetan choreographer and Rolex protégé Sang Jijia, brought to life in a flawless, charged performance by Hong Kong’s acclaimed City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC).
“Sang’s choreography is effective…it was ably interpreted by CCDC’s technically impressive dancers.” (Financial Times, UK)
“a cutting-edge work” (Global Times, Beijing)
“The choreography is supremely kinetic, with endlessly flowing movement that requires the dancers to contort every part of their bodies.” (South China Morning Post, Hong Kong)
“In As If To Nothing, Sang masterfully explores the conflict between memory’s mutable landscape and its indelible landmarks.” (Hong Kong Dance Awards 2010)
“Artistic soul of contemporary Hong Kong.” (South China Morning Post, Hong Kong)
“The company of dancers were so good to be virtually beyond criticism.” (Dance Europe, UK)
“One of Asia’s most acclaimed ensembles.” (International Arts Manager, UK)
“The ever younger generations of CCDC keep on shining through in diverse ways and truly reflects the multi-faceted modern dance creation and dynamism in Hong Kong.” (Dance Information, China)
Born in Gansu, Tibetan Sang Jijia has been dancing and choreographing professionally since 1993, following his studies at the Music and Dance Department of the Central University for Nationalities in Beijing, China. He began his career as a dancer and choreographer with the Guangdong Modern Dance Company. In 1999, he left to join CCDC.
Recognised for his powerful technique, Sang’s performances have received rave reviews in Asia and the West as he has collaborated with leading choreographers from around the globe. He received the Gold Medal in Modern Dance from the Paris International Dance Competition in 1996 and was hailed as “The Star of the Century” by the Guangdong Provincial Government in 1997. In 2002, Sang was selected by The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative in its inaugural year to study choreography under William Forsythe in Germany. He continued with Ballett Frankfurt and later the Forsythe Company as assistant choreographer and dancer until 2006.
Sang is currently Resident Artist with Beijing Dance / LDTX. His major works include Blue in Show Your Colours, 365 Ways of Doing and Undoing Orientalism (Co-choreographed with Willy Tsao and Xing Liang) and As If To Nothing for CCDC, Happening Continuous for Movement Fiber, a group set up by Sang and Xing Liang (Resident Artist of CCDC), Unspeakable and Standing Before Darkness for BeijingDance / LDTX, and Sticks for Guangdong Modern Dance Company, among others. Sang’s works have been presented in Korea’s Chang Mu Dance Festival, Swiss International Dance Festival, International Computer Music Festival, Taipei Arts Festival, Holland Dance Festival, Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts in Singapore, Guangdong Modern Dance Festival, Beijing Modern Dance Festival, and Dance Salad Festival of Houston.
Through the leadership of its Founder and Artistic Director, Willy Tsao, City Contemporary Dance Company has inspired and elated audiences in Hong Kong and internationally with superb modern dance performances over the past 32 years. Founded in 1979, CCDC has presented over 200 original works to critical acclaim, including productions by Tsao and leading choreographers such as Helen Lai, Mui Cheuk-yin, Pun Siu-fai and Yuri Ng. It has presented innovative collaborations with outstanding artists from other media and with artists from around the world.
CCDC is renowned for reflecting the vigour and creativity of Hong Kong’s vibrant, multifaceted contemporary culture. It presents its works to audience of over 50,000 people annually and has earned 196 overseas invitations to the world’s foremost dance stages and festivals in over 30 major cities.
artistic director: Willy Tsao
choreographer and set designer: Sang Jijia
composer and live music performer: Dickson Dee
dancers: Lai Tak-wai, Peggy Lam, Lam Po, Lee Ka-ki, Shirley Lok, Evains Lui, Kelvin Mak,
Jennifer Mok, Noel Pong, Malvina Tam, Terry Tsang, Bruce Wong, Dominic Wong, Qiao Yang
lighting designer: Goh Boon Ann
costume designer: Charfi Hung
live video artist: Adrian Yeung
managing director: Clementine Chan
assistant artistic director: Ringo Chan
executive lighting designer: Low Shee Hoe
technical director: Anther Lam
production manager: Thomas Leung
stage manager: Coffee Chu
deputy stage manager: Olivia Tse
assistant stage manager: Fok Shu-wing
wardrobe manager: Linda Lee
tour manager: Miranda Li
coordinator in italy: Andrea Baker
City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
CCDC’s Florence tour is partially sponsored by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels.
[foto: Ringo Chan]
