Hong Kong Ballet Collaborates on “This is Wan Chai” Project with Multimedia Artist Jevan Chowdhury
[Hong Kong—25 March 2020] Hong Kong Ballet announces the launch of “This is Wan Chai”, an exciting art installation directed by internationally celebrated multimedia artist Wind & Foster Director Jevan Chowdhury with choreography by Company Artistic Director Septime Webre. An integral component of the innovative award-winning Moving Cities series by Chowdhury, “This is Wan Chai” is part of an ongoing global inventory of film and photographic work in which cities are transcribed through dance.
“This is Wan Chai” is a photographic installation at MTR Wan Chai Station that captures 45 lively Company dancers frolicking through Wan Chai’s iconic streetscapes. The artwork reimagines and reinvents the MTR station as a public space at the heart of the local community.
Commissioned by MTR Corporation and jointly initiated with the Hong Kong Design Centre, “This is Wan Chai” was made in collaboration with Hong Kong Ballet, Treacle Media, the UK’s Department for International Trade and Conran + Partners. The lower platform of the Wan Chai Station bound for Kennedy Town is transformed into a living stage of choreographed street scenes that commuters play their part in as they pass through.
Webre said, “Public spaces don’t have to be only practical; they can be an expression of who we are and what we believe. Everyday commuters can be unexpectedly inspired by art that elevates the human experience, and this collaboration provides an opportunity for new discovery with every trip through the station.”
“This is our first Moving Cities project in Asia and it has been a great pleasure to work with such an ambitious team and talented artists. Everyone grasped the concept making it fun and instantaneous for all involved. A great international collaboration Wind & Foster is so proud of. Thank you to all.” said Beth Cinamon, Producer at Wind & Foster.
More compelling images from the project will be showcased during two exhibitions at H6 CONET and Urban Renewal Authority at 7 Mallory Street.
Hong Kong – Urban Space on the Move
A Moving Cities Project
Date: 3 – 31 May 2020
Time: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Venue: 7 Mallory Street, Wan Chai
Date: 3 June – 5 July 2020 (postponed)
Time: 8:00am – 10:00pm|
Venue: H6 CONET, G/F, 99 Queen's Road Central, Central
Promotional Video [Click the thumbnail to watch]
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About Hong Kong Ballet
One of Asia’s premier ballet companies, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is internationally recognised as a vibrant arts institution that represents Hong Kong’s unique character. Established in 1979 and led by Artistic Director Septime Webre, HKB has a dynamic repertoire performed by nearly 50 dancers from all over the globe and award-winning education and community programmes.
With almost 50 international tours, the Company has won recognition from critics and fans both at home and abroad. Its diverse repertoire includes classic and modern masterpieces, original full-length ballets created for the Company, an interactive ballet series for younger fans and groundbreaking dance by today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Trey McIntyre, among others.
HKB maintains an active schedule of community initiatives throughout Hong Kong to ensure that ballet is accessible to people from all walks of life. The Company is celebrating its 40th Anniversary during the 2019/20 Season.
For further information, please contact:
Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: (852) 2105 9716
M: (852) 9728 1777
[email protected]
Eunice Ho
Assistant Marketing Manager
T: (852) 2105 9757
M: (852) 9189 2235
[email protected]
