The Third Space is an experimental platform which aims to represent Asian identity in dance and reflects the distinctive East-West posture of NAFA’s Department of Dance, emphasizing contemporary Western and Asian performance as well as creation practices. The showcase features the works of contemporary Asian artists influenced by their cultural heritage, sojourns and exposure.

The evening will include Sun Ock-Lee’s Zen Dance: Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form II. Sun is recognised to have pioneered and developed a dance form regardedas “meditation in motion”, fusing spiritual and meditative practices, Korean traditionaldance and other Asian dances.

In Syncretitude, coined from “syncretism”, “attitude” and “gratitude”, Canadian choreographer Peter Chin responds to the aptness of these ideas to Singapore’s history and contemporary social dynamic.

Gillian Tan’s Incense draws from many inspirational sources – the use of incense in different cultures, the music of Henry Cowell with its Asian and Middle Eastern elements, and movement influences of East and West – all bound together like incense, self-sustaining and producing a myriad of fragrances.

Dia Dao Cu Chi by NAFA alumnus Amanda Tay pays homage to the survivors of the Vietnam War from Cu Chi province who rebuilt their communities in a secret network of underground tunnels.

These four works will be danced by students of NAFA’s Department of Dance.


Explorations: Find out more about this work and join us for a post-performance talk with the artists on 7 Oct.

Biography

• Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts