PHONATE
When breathing becomes language
To dance is to breathe, inhale and exhale, a fundamental aspect of our existence. PHONATE invites us to open our senses and reflect on our connection to an essential part of life – breathing. The performance features four dancers with their lips taped shut, each holding a small harmonica between their lips. Unable to speak in words, they explore the flow of their breath and the connections it creates, both inside and outside the body. The piece is a slow and spiralling journey that explores the individual and the collective, connection and disconnection, and the escape of air from the body as music. PHONATE highlights the importance of staying connected in a time of global upheaval and reminds us of the power of togetherness.
Poon’s choreography is informed by Taoist notions of “Qi” and the movement and meditation practices Liquid Body and 5Rhythms. The research and development of this work was supported by Freespace, Dance Info Finland, Zodiak – Center for New Dance and Dance House Helsinki through the residency exchange project Creative Meeting Point: Hong Kong x Finland (2016–2018).
Concept / Choreography: Wayson Poon
Live Sound Artist / Dramaturg / Sound Designer: Peter Lenaerts
Performers: Kingsan Lo, Ivan Chan, KT Yau, Cheung Tsz-kwan
Lighting Designer: Lawmanray
Costume Designer: Pauline Chan
Sound Engineer: Martin Lai
“…In each inhalation and exhalation, it transcends the limitations of space and body, using sound without words to reveal the essence of humanity. Despite the constant changes, the breath is always present. Even when closed, it still resonates, and the sound of the breath is never-ending. Let us encourage each other in this way.”
by Derek Lum(https://www.artisticmoments.net/)
Commissioned, produced and presented by:
The Programme is part of “Creative Tomorrow” exclusively sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Exclusive Sponsor:
PHONATE (untaped)
Exhibiting a dnace-making journey
Curatorial statement
The exhibition PHONATE (un/taped) means removing the tape on the lips and then phonate; its meaning is a deconstruction of a choreographic process of a contemporary dance piece, PHONATE, which was commissioned by Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District and premiered in 2023. The choreographer and researcher Wayson Poon has a deep movement research and dance-making journey in his master study related to the somatic field to contribute to the rehearsal strategies. The exhibition comprises elements of video, photography, rehearsal tools and an interactive experience with an audio guide. It demonstrates the application of dance imagery tools and demystifies the act of creation.
Creative team:
Concept and Choreographer: Wayson Poon
New Media Designer: Adrian Yeung
Academic support:
Dam Van Huynh
Karen Cheung
Prof. Joseph Gonzales
Venue:
DANCE & TECHNOLOGY STUDIO, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
PHONATE invited audiences to open their senses and reflect on the connection to an essential part of life – breathing.
The artistic journey has been fruitful, and in order to prolong the life of the dance work. The exhibition is to provide context and demonstrate the creative process behind PHONATE, fostering a dialogue with the audience and critics, while also demystifying the act of creation and establishing a new relationship between the audience and theatrical performance.
Participants will have an interactive exhibit experience, where they can listen to an audio guide through headphones, and view moving images, objects, and texts to reconnect with the artistic journey. There will also be an opportunity to embody a dance movement score from PHONATE physically, and Spontaneously, during the silent dance, The participants can create a piece of soundscape through a motion-captured technology system.