Kontemporary Korea at The Lowry
Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
Let The Lowry’s new dance season surprise you with a fantastic programme of performances from new Korean talent in Kontemporary Korea.
Part of the Festival of Korean Dance 2023, Kontemporary Korea will feature some of the leading names in dance today, including the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company in one show, and Howool Beak and SIGA Dance in another.
The first part of the Kontemporary Korea will delight audiences with two shows on the 24 April.
In Mechanism, the complex dance features six dancers on a bright stage, moving as if each one was a working part of a machine, and quickly switching to singular, distinctive movement that sets them apart from the rest. Examining human interaction through dance, the show is choreographed by Lee Jaeyong and scored by MC Bluechan, leading to an energetic climax.
Everything Falls Dramatic by Her Sungim, deals with larger ideas of fragility, mortality, resilience and solidarity. Once again, six dancers move against a dramatic set design and an emotional score by HuskHusk. With the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company being the country’s only national contemporary dance company, they value exceptional creativity and individuality, and have toured worldwide with a variety of shows.
The second part of Kontemporary Korea will take place on 6 May.
First up, audiences will experience Did U Hear, a powerful solo performance from Howool Baek, based on 2PAC’s poem The rose that grew from concrete. The jerky movements performed by the dancer deconstruct the body, making it an almost abstract entity.
Next up, is the more light-hearted, short film Foreign Body where a group of long-haired dancers travels through Berlin’s iconic sites, from metro stations and parks to the Parliament. Their bent over poses with faces disguised by shaggy hair make them look alien and give the composition a playful, otherworldly quality, which is emphasised by the coordinated movements against changing backgrounds.
Lastly, we have Rush by Hyuk Kwon for SIGA Dance Company. This minimalist yet energetic performance is about listening to one’s inner self and deepest needs. The piece features two dancers flowing in and out of unison, ranging from ecstatic twists and turns to meditative, peaceful stillness. Rush features a string soundtrack by Hyunsu Kim, as well as the inclusion of smell to bring audiences closer to a peaceful state.
From to the conceptual foundations to the intricacy of the dancers’ movements, Kontemporary Korea showcases the most innovative and exciting developments taking place on the world dance stage today.
