Thursday, July 10, 2014

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers Announces Major Performances, Nationally & Abroad


 
 

 

 
 
Through the lens of an immigrant artist finely trained in diverse movement traditions, contemplative practices and philosophies of Asian origin, as well as Western contemporary dance techniques and improvisation methods, Kun-Yang Lin has developed an original movement language. His technically-demanding, contemporary works grapple with the complexities inherent in a dualistic culture, where motion/stillness, light/shadow and east/west are perceived as opposites. In cultivating an ensemble of skilled dance artists with shared values, Lin explores commonalities while honoring the gifts of each individual. Indeed, it has been said that “Lin has found the key to making dances that show what individuals are all about.” (New York Times Radio).

Philadelphia Performances

In Philadelphia, KYL/D will participate in the “Come Together Dance Festival”, along with 27 other Philadelphia dance artists and companies uniting as a community to raise the visibility of contemporary dance in Philadelphia. KYL/D will perform at the Festival’s opening night on Wed. July 23 (at 7:30pm) and on Sat. July 26 (at 8pm). Further information about the Festival is available at: koreshdance.org/cometogether_2014.php 

Lincoln Center Performance

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of its American debut at this venerable institution, KYL/D returns to Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors Festival. It was here in 1994 that Lin’s work was first seen in the USA, performed then by 5 dancers who constituted the original, NYC-based corps of KYL/D as it began touring in 2002. Since KYL/D’s relocation to Philadelphia in 2008, the company has been building a loyal fan base and gaining critical acclaim.

KYL/D will perform at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park Bandshell stage on Thurs. August 7 (at 7:30pm), along with two other exciting groups, Ragamala Dance (with Rudresh Mahanthappa) and Chinese Arts Dance Ensemble from Taiwan. Information on Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival is available at: lcoutofdoors.org

European Debut Performance

Marking another milestone, KYL/D makes its European premiere on the opening night of the prestigious, biennial Tanzmesse Internationale dance festival in Dusseldorf, Germany on Weds. August 27 at 9pm. This engagement will be the first time Lin’s work has been performed in Europe since its London debut in 1993 while Lin was dancing with Transitions Dance Company of the Laban Center. Information about the Tanzmesse is available at: Tanzmesse.com

KYL/D is one of just three American companies to be invited to the 2014 Tanzmesse.
Only one other Philadelphia company has performed there -- Philadanco in 2010.

Works to be Performed

At these events, KYL/D will present two new works distilled from larger works: Be/Longing 2 and Mandala Project 2

Be/Longing 2 explores humankind's quests for connectivity -- with our deeper selves, our communities and the universe. With original music by Cory Neale, Be/Longing 2 speaks to our individual and collective journeys from gravity to grace.

Mandala Project, which premiered in spring 2011 and was hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “a masterwork of art, spirituality and stagecraft”, was constructed over a two-year period, during which time Lin conducted research in Cambodia, Indonesia, Europe and India, and incorporated these experiences into the body research of the studio. Mandala is the Sanskrit word for circle, community, unity and connection. In Eastern traditions, the mandala is a form of sacred art that depicts the totality of the self as well as the path to a more awakened state of being.

About KYL/D

KYL/D’s dance artists are: Kun-Yang Lin, Jessica Warchal-King, Eiren Shuman, Vuthy Ou, Evalina Cain Carbonell, Liu Mo, Rachael Hart, Brian Cordova, Brandi Ou and Wei-Wei Ma. Resident Lighting Designer: Stephen Petrilli. Resident Composer and Sound Consultant: Cory Neale.

About the Company

Hailed for its superbly trained dancers and inventive choreography, the internationally-active KYL/D probes at the limits of national identities. Founded in NYC in 2002, KYL/D relocated to Philadelphia in 2008. Drawing upon Eastern philosophies while expanding the perimeter of contemporary dance, Artistic Director Lin's Zen-inspired practice of dance manifests in lush works of poetic sensibility that The New York Times has said "create and inhabit worlds of their own." Lin draws upon multicultural insights from his ongoing research throughout Asia, creating a personal movement language that is an unexpected hybrid between Western and Eastern cultures, suffused with strong spiritual underpinnings. KYL/D has performed across the United States and internationally including at the Busan International Dance Festival in Korea, Jogia International and AsiaTri festivals in Indonesia, Festival Internacional de Danza in Queretaro, Mexico, Victoria Theatre in Singapore, HsinChu Performing Arts Center in Taiwan, in the U.S. at Interlochen Festival, Columbia Festival, Kaatsbaan International Dance, Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival, Dancing in the Streets Festival, Painted Bride Art Center, Annenberg Center, Kimmel Center with the Center City Opera and the Barnes Foundation Museum. WHYY/PBS honored Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers with a nationally broadcast, 30-minute documentary in its award-winning On Canvas series in 2011. KYL/D also was featured by MindTV in its celebrated 2011 broadcast series A World of Dance in Philadelphia. For more information about KYL/D, please visit www.kunyanglin.org.









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