A Letter to Father (2021)
Chanting in the fog as he roams an idyllic landscape, he dances as if he is talking to someone.
What is the current moment? Choreographer Wayson Poon is experiencing the time of change, or the stage of change. Looking for someone to talk to, he found his father, who passed away 15 years ago. Through dance movements and Nanyin, he holds a conversation that goes beyond space and time, talking to himself, to everyone, to the world.
Choreographer’s notes:
Last December, my sister and I had lunch together, and I talked about “you”… I cried when I wrote the following words. Do “you” think that is good for the introduction of the piece?
The sun and the moon come and go
to know, to understand, to comprehend, to realize
Sit down to have a meal, hold a bowl and hold chopsticks
Take a bath, dressing, go to bed, covering the quilt
The heaven, the earth, the dream,
Black, white, grey
Would “you” tell me now like 15 years ago?
Length: 14 mins
Country/Region: Hong Kong
Choreographed and performed by Wayson Poon
Performance (Naamyam): Chan Chi-kong
Filmed and edited by Vincent Ip
A Letter to Son《骨肉》
離別後，秋過秋。
如歌歲月，似水流。
先把近來，來問候。
是否生活，樂無憂。
有否不時，眉頭皺。
從來藝海，多沉浮。
想起嗰陣時，你小時侯。
在我背上，上山丘。
遊走四圍，都手牽手。
轉眼你已是，大個頭。
又想起那時，你長大後。
展翅高飛，萬里無休。
聚少離多，欣然接受。
人間天上，夢裡遊。
愛一個字從來，難啟口。
早已散落，在四周。
只要靜觀，用心感受。
不難發現，我就在裡頭。
兒呀兒，仔呀仔。
燕歸燕去，春到秋。
人生盡頭，到最後。
安然閉眼，兒呀，你就在我心裡頭。
Commissioned and produced by 2021 Hong Kong Arts Festival – Hong Kong Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Series 2021
A Letter to Reply (2023)
When the mind is still, you will be calm, cool and collected.
Choreographer’s Note:
In 2021, I produced a dance piece titled “A Letter to Father” in which I contemplated the trajectory of my life in light of my deceased father’s questioning. The lyrics of Nanyin’s “A Letter to Son” in the work served as a source of inspiration, illuminating my path through the tumultuous past two years and providing answers to my queries.
As of 2023, I am revisiting this work and engaging in a renewed dialogue with myself through the medium of dance.
Choreographer & Dancer：Wayson Poon
Naamyam & Music：Kong Chan@The Gong Strikes One
Photo (c) wusolo
Commissioned and produced by E-side Dance Company: XRealm