Jin Xing: Jin Xing Dance Theatre - 10 years of history of Chinese modern dance

RAS WEEKENDER
Saturday September 19th, 2009 @ 3.30pm
T8 Club Lounge
No.8 Xintiandi North Part Lane 181 Taicang Road Shanghai

JIN XING

Jin Xing Dance Theatre

- 10 years of history of Chinese modern dance -

2009 heralds the 10th anniversary of Jin Xing Dance Theatre. Shanghai Dance Festival 2009 pays a special tribute to this by presenting 3 of the company’s works: The China Project (2009) developed with Austrian artists from Liquid Loft; Il Grido (The Outcry) (2009) with Korean choreographer Won Kim and Jin Xing’s solo performance The Closest The Furthest (2006). In the lecture Jin Xing will share with the audience her personal experience and insights on Shanghai’s and China’s culture scene. In particular she will talk about the adversities Jin Xing Dance Theatre has to face, as an independent dance troupe, outside the cultural (governmental) establishment in China and her means of protecting the company.

The three company productions to be presented at Shanghai Dance Festival 2009 exemplify the importance of international collaborations (The China Project, Il Grido) and the commissioned work (the solo commissioned by La Biennale di Venezia) to guarantee Jin Xing Dance Theatre’s independence and Jin Xing’s artistic freedom.

Jin Xing was born in Shenyang in 1967. Aged 9 she started her dance education at the military dance school, at the age of 17 she received the “Best Dancer of China Award” and at 20 she became the first dancer in China to win a grant from the Asian Cultural Council of America and the American Dance Festival to study in New York. Here she had the chance to work with; among many, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and Jose Limon. In 1991 she claimed "Best Choreographer Award" of the American Dance Festival for her work, "Half Dream". She continued her international career working in Italy and Belgium.

Jin Xing returned to China after 6 years in the US and Europe. At the beginning of 1996 she set up “Beijing Modern Dance Ensemble”; the first modern dance troupe in Beijing. And since 1999 she has been principal of her own ensemble; "Jin Xing Dance Theatre" resident in Shanghai from 2000. It’s the country’s first independent modern dance and performing group. Under Jin Xing’s artistic direction the company garnered much acclaim both nationally and internationally with appearances at festivals such as La Biennale di Venezia, Dance Umbrella London and Steps in Switzerland etc. Besides Jin Xing’s achievements in the field of dance she established her versatile talent with leading roles in theatre and movies.

In her mission to develop the culture in her own country Jin Xing founded the Shanghai Dance Festival in March of 2006.  It is first international dance festival in China. Her strong engagement with and in the cultural world have received international recognition; with an honorary membership of ELIA, in 2004 (European League of Institutes of the Arts) And in November 2006 she received an honorary doctorate degree from Dartington College of Arts, UK.
DONATION: RMB 80.00 for members and RMB 120.00 for non members including one drink. (tea/coffee/sparkling water/glass of wine/standard cocktail). Those unable to make the donation but wishing to attend, may contact us for exemption, prior to the ‘Weekender’ Membership applications and membership renewals will be available this afternoon.

Shanghai Dance Festival 2009

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