Artist
Willy TSAO
Established City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) in 1979 and served as Artistic Director since 1989
Devoted to the development of modern dance in China, Tsao conducted intensive modern dance workshops throughout mainland China since 1995. In 2004, Tsao and the Beijing Modern Dance Company accompanied Hu Jintao, then leader of China, in his official visit to South America where 15 performances were performed
Currently leads three major dance companies: CCDC, Guangdong Modern Dance Company and BeijingDance/LDTX. As one of the most prolific Chinese choreographers of his time, Tsao takes inspiration from Chinese culture including philosophy, history, opera and even Chinese rock music. His works were presented at many international arts festivals over the past 30 years and won numerous awards. Tsao’s tremendous achievements and contributions to the development of contemporary dance are widely recognised
Website
Work
365 Ways of Doing and Undoing Orientalism
The East, not surely by tradition or cultural prospective, usually refers to Asia and the West for Europe and America. What will people associate with the East? calligraphy, Buddha, Feng Shui, bowl, chopsticks, Mandarin gown, martial arts, long sleeves, dragon, … or meditation and yoga?
365 Ways of Doing and Undoing Orientalism is a highly acclaimed repertoire of City Contemporary Dance Company choreographed by Willy Tsao with Sang Jijia and Xing Liang which gained resonance and received rave reviews during its successful runs in Brisbane, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Rovereto, Italy. Through an exotic display and re-twist of “oriental” elements, the performance casts doubts on the West’s fascination with the Orient from the context of modern Asian world.
