Vol.24-3：'Illuminating' Dance
【Editorial】
The International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong) has now participated in editing two issues of dance journal/hk, and I recently received some direct comments from our readers. They expressed their appreciation of our curation of the FOCUS section which explores some topics that may easily have been neglected. I am grateful to the readers for their support of our editorial team’s contribution.
After the 5th wave of the pandemic, our local performance venues have reopened. The stress experienced by our dance practitioners and administrators continues, however, as everyone is so keen to bring dance energy back to the audience after three months of closure, and to make up for lost time on stage. Audience members may find it difficult to choose what shows to see in the face of such an overwhelmingly busy performance schedule. However, I am sure that we are all looking forward to it.
In the previous issue’s FOCUS, we ‘wore’ dance. In this edition, let’s ‘illuminate’ dance! We’ve invited lighting designers to share their creative thoughts when designing lighting for a dance piece. They can transform a shaft of light into poetry. The role of lighting on a dance stage is no longer simply functional – instead, the lighting itself becomes a dancer.
I invite you to check out our live performance reviews of which some are online exclusive in this issue – when you read them, you will know what I mean about the energy that has returned on stage and on the page! You can find the continuing COLUMN contribution from Ivy Tsui, and the return of Dialogue on Dance between two dance critics, discussing the SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Festival, which was originally scheduled a few years ago and was finally presented online in 2022. Don’t miss out on Siu Lung Fung Dance Theater’s performance research on contemporary dance and traditional culture included in OBSERVATION. Their exploration of this crossover is well worth documenting. Last but not least, the presentation of AWAKE Indian Dance Festival 2021 encountered various challenges during the pandemic. BEYOND Bollywood’s experience of promoting Indian dance culture reflects the importance of inclusivity and diversity in Hong Kong.
“All my criticism is made out of love!” This is something a young theatre critic recently told me. So a big thank you – to everyone who loves the performing arts.
Editor
Bernice Chan
【Contents】
FOCUS: 'Illuminating' Dance
Lighting – dancing with the dancers—An Interview with Lighting Designer Leo Cheung
Text: Yu Tingzhi
Dancing with the Dramaturgy of Light and Shadow
Text: Amy Chan
Text: Mok Sio-chong
(There are other sections in the journal and articles may be available in English. Please visit https://www.dancejournalhk.com/article/categories/24-3-issue)
