Global contemporary dance works to be showcased this summer

Aug 6, 2019
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25th ChangMu International Performing Arts Festival features 17 contemporary dance works by artists from Korea and abroad between Aug. 21 and 25 at ARKO Arts Theater and Seoul Namsan Gugakdang. The photo is taken from a performance by Yoon Sumi Dance Company's "No man's district." Courtesy of ChangMu International Performing Arts Festival.
25th ChangMu International Performing Arts Festival features 17 contemporary dance works from five different countries 
The latest trends in global contemporary dance can be seen at the 25th ChangMu International Performing Arts Festival. During the five-day annual event starting on Aug. 21, 17 contemporary works by artists from Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and Japan will be showcased on stage. The performances will be held at ARKO Arts Theater and Seoul Namsan Gugakdang in Seoul, along with lectures, workshops and open talks by participating artists. 
The ChangMu International Performing Arts Festival began back in 1993, with a goal to promote and share inspirational exchanges among artists and arts companies from different regions, achieving mutual understanding and better communication. The dance festival has especially highlighted works by Asian choreographers who further developed their traditional cultures into modern styles. Over 25 years, the festival has not only introduced global trends of performing arts to Korean audiences, but also presented traditional Korean dances in contemporary settings. 
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Choreographer Fabian Thome will present his "Entre Sombras" during the opening performance of the festival on Aug. 21 at ARKO Arts Theater. His work is one of three pieces by solo male choreographers/dancers
The opening performance slated for Aug. 21 at ARKO Arts Theater will feature three solo male dancers, who are all globally renowned choreographers. 
Choreographer Fabian Thome from Spain presents the 20-minute solo dance "Entre Sombras," meaning "between shades" in English. In the work, Thome attempts to express every human's struggle to find their own light, yet ends up with facing the shades of life, which become obstacles to oneself. Through his dance moves, Thome hopes to convey to audiences a message of how to live with such shades of life and how to turn those obstacles into moving light. 
Pichet Klunchun from Thailand also presents his work "Circle with million exits" to Korean audiences at the opening performance. The choreographer and dancer has firm roots in traditional Thai dance, which he learned from masters, and now he transforms the tradition into a modern dance language, while still keeping the essence and wisdom of the traditional legacy. 
Korean choreographer and dancer Kim Seol-jin's "Return" is the last piece on the opening performance. His work tells the audiences that one needs to encounter oneself directly and embrace oneself; that is the only way forward as an artist, believing in one's own efforts.
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"The beginning of A Hum San Sui" will be presented by two Japanese dancers on Aug. 23 at Seoul Namsan Gugakdang. The dance work is inspired by Japan's "butoh" dances, or so-called "dance of death."
Marking the 25th history of the festival, this year's annual event has laid its focus on Asia's traditions and roots. "The beginning of A Hum San Sui," scheduled for Aug. 23 at the Seoul Namsan Gugakdang, is one of the works drawing attention. Japanese dancers Kentaro Kujirai and Barabbas Okuyama will present dance moves, inspired by Japan's "butoh" dances, or so-called "dance of death," conjuring up images of darkness, death and primal awe. 
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"FT Dance Company presents "Moi-je," a collaboration with Park Woo-jae, a traditional Korean music instrument geomungo player.
Madrid-based FT Dance Company's "Moi-je" performance on Aug. 22 is another event with high expectations, as it will be a collaboration between the Spanish modern dance company and musician Park Woo-jae, who plays the geomungo, a traditional Korean zither.
During the five-day festivity, some traditional Korean dance performances of the program will be held at outdoor stages, located at Seoul Namsan Gugakdang. Audiences can watch the fused beauty of traditional cultures and modern moves to the backdrop of traditional Korean houses. 
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"Audiences can watch some of traditional Korean dances at an outdoor stage, located at the Seoul Namsan Gugakdang during the festival. Specific schedules of the performances can be checked at the festival's official website.
Hokkaido-based traditional music group Marewrew will take the performance festival's closing stage on Aug. 25 with their work "Raprap Spin-off." The group focuses on presenting the Ainu culture, indigenous people to the northern Hokkaido region in Japan, such as traditional songs, religious and social ceremonies. "Raprap" means "wings" in Ainu language. Two Japanese modern dancers also participate in the performance, where audiences are encourage to join the festivity together with the artists. 
Following the stage by Marewrew, Seoul-based Yoon Sumi Dance Company's "No man's district" will be featured as the last work of the five-day festival at the Seoul Namsam Gukakdang. The contemporary dance inspired by traditional Korean royal dance moves asks the audiences the fundamental traits of human beings that we all share, regardless of any social divisions or perceptions. 
Aiming to attract younger audiences, the festival offers 50% discount to those who were born after 1993, the year the annual performing arts event was launched. Detailed performance schedules of the festival are on its website: http://www.changmufestival.com
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"A poster image of the 25th ChangMu Performing Arts Festival. The festival starts on Aug. 21 and continues through Aug. 25, presenting 17 contemporary dance works by artists from both in and outside of Korea
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