They are both talented and outstanding dancers, but one lost control of his hands due to neurodegenerative disease, and the other suffered paralysis of his lower limbs due to a rehearsal accident at the Olympic opening ceremony... Similar life experiences and unremitting pursuit

They are both talented and outstanding dancers, but one lost control of his hands due to neurodegenerative disease, and the other suffered paralysis of his lower limbs due to an accident during the Olympic opening ceremony rehearsal... Similar life experiences and unremitting pursuit of freedom and beauty, Let them break through obstacles, be reborn, and create dazzling sparks on the stage.

Sino-Swiss cooperative dance theater "I Breathe Again" press conference scene Photography: Li Xiaocao

"I Breathe Again" was created by Swiss artist Alessandro Schiattarella (alessandro schiattarella) and Chinese dancers The dance theater co-created by Liu Yan combines the two choreographers' different cultural backgrounds and similar life experiences of obstacles. Through the common clue of "hand", it explores the tolerance and creation in dance, and the limitations in life. and freedom.

Swiss artist, choreographer and dancer of "I Breathe Again" Alessandro Schiatarella Photography: Li Xiaocao

For Alessandro, the hand as a vehicle of expression has played a transformative role role, but this transformation only occurs when the artist embraces the beauty in their fragility. Because a neurodegenerative disease began to weaken his hands at age 15, he had to work extra hard to keep his hands in line with the functional and aesthetic norms dictated by the mainstream dance world in which he lived. As a rising star in the ballet world at that time, lesions in his hands forced him to re-adjust the direction of his dance career. Subsequently, it was his re-acceptance of his hands and self-reconciliation that enabled his artistic career to develop into a new development that was unique and full of profound power.

Chinese dancer, choreographer and dancer of "I Breathe Again" Liu Yan Photography: Li Xiaocao

For Liu Yan, after becoming famous for his dancing skills at a young age, he experienced an accident during the rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and had to sit down. Being in a wheelchair, this major life change became a challenge to her life and dance career. After that, hand dance became a new way of expression for her, and also became the focus of her academic research. In her works, she discussed the position of hand dance in Chinese classical dance, and also explored the relationship between Buddhist mudra and Chinese classical dance. .

In the work "I Breathe Again", the artists have a dialogue and creation around the "hand". They will jointly define the important role played by the hand in the creation, and draw inspiration from Alessandro's previous works and Liu Yan's research Drawing elements from it, such as Alessandro's use of folk gestures from Naples, Italy, and Liu Yan's further creation of Chinese classical dance hand dances and handprints. This is the intersection of cross-cultural dance languages ​​and their peaceful recognition of their respective life situations. .

Pei Tianyi, Cultural Counselor of the Swiss Embassy in China. Photography: Li Xiaocao

Lu Yuxi, head of Swiss Pro Helvetia’s Shanghai office. Photography: Li Xiaocao

Hands are their vocabulary to express themselves, and breathing is a state in which they perceive the world through dance. The two artists once again stepped onto the stage as long-lost dancers, accepted the obstacles they acquired, reshaped their self-identity, and set out again, like a gentle and deep breath after breaking out of the water. Their similar experiences from growing up, becoming famous, going through hardships and troughs to finding vitality again, awakened spontaneous inquiries about self-identity, triggered a joint discussion of concepts such as vulnerability, beauty and peace, and through cross-cultural exchanges and the exploration of dance language Exploration, together build a path to spiritual freedom.

Ge Huichao, founder of the Beijing Shen Shen Shen Chun Cultural Exchange Center and producer of "I Breathe Again" Photography: Li Xiaocao

It is reported that "I Breathe Again" is produced by the domestic inclusive organization Shen Shen Chun. Founder Ge Huichao serves as the producer and dance composer of this work. The work also invites two co-founders of the Silent Choir, Li Bo & Zhang Yong, to serve as music and composition. In addition to the stage presentation of the work, "I Breathe Again" also attempts to convey the concept, aesthetics and social advocacy of inclusive art to the public, and promote social equality and tolerance through the communication and influence of art.

Written by: Nandu reporter Huang Qian