Upright

In ancient Chinese myth, the one who creates humans from the earth is a creation goddess: Nüwa was walking along the Yellow River and suddenly discovered her reflection in the water. She decided to use the mud from the riverbed to sculpt figures like her own. Nüwa blew on the figures, and that's how life was breathed into them. The characters became small, intelligent and dexterous, living things that could walk and talk. Nüwa called them "Ren", meaning 'human'.

WHIRLING LADDER | UPRIGHT

Conceptual and aesthetic pre-research: 01.02--04-03.2022 with:

Chun Zhang | Kai Strathmann YIBU DANCE WHIRLING LADDER | UPRIGHT

Photography: Kai Strathmann

Venue: Disdance Project, Köln

Chun Zhang | Kai Strathmann YIBU DANCE WHIRLING LADDER | UPRIGHT

Somatic research phase 1: open studio, 18.04--30.04.2022 with:

Ludovica Pinna, Mariane Verbecq, Francesca Pavesio, Minju Kim, Pin Chen Hsu, Anca Huma, Ying Xiao, Alberto Gunslingerz, Nina Patricia Hänel, Maria Sauerland, Leo Gnatzy, Enora Gemin.

With the friendly support from: FREIRAUM Düsseldorf, Tanzstation Wuppertal, Maria Del Mar Studio Essen, TanzFaktur Köln

Founded by Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, 'Auf Geht's'

03-05.2022 Visual inspiration and research

Inspired by the work of Spanish visual artist Joan Cruspinera: Matrius In/Materials, we will collaborate with lighting designers Philipp Zander and Jari Matsi to bring together the essence of visual art and choreography, creating a beautiful atmosphere through lighting design.

05.2022 Visual inspiration and research

The scenographer Veronika Kaleja and Chun Zhang have developed a concept for an installation: embellished from 24 wooden sticks (just like 24 vertibrae). Each wooden stick is hung closely vertically above the dancers, curving in the sagittal plane like a spine. All the sticks are connected to a tube, a motor is installed to allow the tube to roll and create the subtle movements on the bar.

Mood Board created by Veronika Kaleja