In City of Paper, three contemporary choreographers –  Yin Mei, Dai Jian and Kota Yamazaki – explore a Wayang-like shadow world in which light, sound, paper, masks and movement converge in a post-modern meditation on history, fact and the mutability of human perception.   Set in a digitally interactive scenographic environment, the work weaves together personal vignettes, audio/visual fragments, a complex musical soundscape and abrupt yet sensuous movement to create a dream landscape from which the events of a single momentous year during the Chinese Cultural Revolution gradually emerge.

 

The alchemy of collaboration is central to the creation of City of Paper as Yin Mei, Dai Jian and Kota each come to contemporary dance theater from many years’ training in distinct genres of Asian movement: Yin Mei and Dai Jian from traditional Chinese dance, Kota from Butoh. In this work, they weave together an intoxicating blend of divergent yet internally linked genres within the rubric of postmodern dance theater.  Also collaborating in this evening-length multi-media dance theater work are digital media designer Ruppert Bohle (The Elephant Vanishes, 36 Views), composer and musical advisor Richard Marriott (DivideLight, Legong, Dance of the Virgins), lighting/production designer David Ferri and writer/dramaturg Peter L. Critchell.  Premiere: Miami, FL (March 2010); Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2010: U.S./International tour 2011-12.