Made in China (中国制造)

Created and performed by Sammy Chien, Qiu Xia He, Gao Yanjinzi, Wen Wei Wang

Choreography: Wen Wei Wang
Music: Qiu Xia He
Video Design: Sammy Chien
Lighting Design: Jonathan Kim
Dramaturgy: Donna Spencer

Duration: approximately 60 minutes, no intermission

Premiere: January 31, 2015, The Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada

Wen Wei Dance’s newest work, Made In China, plumbs artistic director Wen Wei Wang’s interest in giving a distinctive voice to his Chinese-Canadian cultural identity. Co-created and performed with Gao Yanjinzi, artistic director of Beijing Modern Dance Company, Qiu Xia He, award-winning classical Chinese musician of Vancouver’s Silk Road Music, and Sammy Chien, a video and sound artist, Made In China plunges into their respective artistic expressions to explore the commonalities of their Chinese heritage. The quartet marries tradition with contemporary practice, reflecting the evolution of classical forms in a modern world. This collaboration between three senior artists, alongside emerging media artist Chien, is an intimate work that mines the deeply personal narratives of its creators. Like a collective biography the creators explore memories of their childhood in China, their artistic training during the Cultural Revolution, and the daring paths their careers have taken abroad. Shared through dance, music, and storytelling, these memories will be weaved together to create an intimate dialogue between performers and audience that opens a window to another world.

Made In China is made possible by Dance Victoria’s Chrystal Dance Prize and The Hamber Foundation. Wen Wei Dance gratefully acknowledges The Firehall Arts Centre, Dance Victoria, and The Dance Centre for residencies provided towards the creation of this work.

Wen Wei Dance acknowledges the support of the Theatre Arts Residency program at The Banff Centre.

Wen Wei Dance gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, and the City of Vancouver.