Slow Dance (Zoomed In)
Slow Dance (Zoomed In) evolves from choreographer Joseph Lee’s Slow Dance series. It is an attempt to reinvent the temporality of existing dance works, and the brisk, rhythmic and coherent dynamics of traditional performances are extended and expanded almost infinitely. Each moment of transition is magnified and re-presented into equal segments before the audience. In so doing, the viewers’ consciousness and visual experience oscillate between recognisable elements such as costumes, postures and expressions, and the less-known slow motions. Gradually, they are transformed into a time-lapse performance that is at once familiar and alien.
By inviting video director Kitty Yeung on the team, the video version of Slow Dance (Zoomed In) translates the language of moving images into freeze frames on the screen, and registers changes of the performances in varied spaces. The poetic moving images invite contemplation of the passage of time and evoke a connection with the audience’s gaze.
This iteration of Slow Dance (Zoomed In) comprises four independent videos, each based on a different dance genre and performed by seven dancers from diverse identities, backgrounds, and dance experiences – Étienne Ferrère and Lucas Michael (ballet), Gigi Yang (Chinese folk dance), Ong Yong Lock and Elsie Chau (a combination of Chinese dance, ballet, and basic moves in modern dance), and Cedric Chan and Jennifer Tin (Latin dance).
The juxtaposition of the four dance genres—traditional and contemporary—offers a fresh perspective for viewers to immerse themselves in the context of contemporary dance.
Episode 1 Ballet 1
Episode 2 A Green Leaf
Episode 3 Basic Moves 1
Episode 4 Latin Dance
Episode 1: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Ballet 1
Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Ballet 1 re-interprets a pas de deux from the ballet classic Don Quixote. Traditionally performed by a male and female duo, it is now performed by two male dancers, Étienne Ferrère and Lucas Jerkander. Set on a tennis court, they use slow motion to amplify the exquisite details and technical precision of the choreography. This allows the viewers to see in the video the control and angles that would have escaped their attention in stage performances. Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Ballet 1 challenges the conventional methods of traditional ballet while examining the artistic journeys of Étienne and Lucas
Episode 2: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): A Green Leaf
Dancer Gigi Yang revisits her Chinese folk dance A Green Leaf, which brought her the highest accolade at the Taoli World Dance Competition. In the video Slow Dance (Zoomed In): A Green Leaf, she re-interprets her winning work in slow motion. As the past and the present overlap, she retraces how she pursued her dream more than two decades ago and ruminates her current thoughts. The dance, which she honed for years, has since become a celebrated model and is taught widely in dance circles in various places. It stands as a testament to her formative years and a revelation of the wisdom and insight her body has gathered over time.
Episode 3: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Basic Moves 1
In Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Basic Moves 1, dancers Ong Yong Lock and Elsie Chu draw inspiration from their daily basic training to choreograph a set of movements that blends the vocabulary of ballet, Chinese dance, and modern dance. Beginning with their eyes closed, the duo attempts to complete the entire sequence in sync at an extremely slow pace. As they go back and forth between a boat and the theatre, they trace their migration from different places to Hong Kong and build their career in dance over the years. Together, slowly and stoically, they use their bodies to feel the passage of time as they move between the swaying boat and the empty black box theatre.
Episode 4: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Latin Dance 1
In this video, two acclaimed local Latin dancers, Cedric Chan and Jennifer Tin re-interpret a dance that is a milestone in their career. Performing a long-drawn-out version of the Paso Doble on a bustling waterfront, they strike a strong contrast with the surrounding ambiance. As the minutes go by, their flamboyant, sweeping dance becomes part of the flow of the crowds. Through the onlookers’ gaze, a new angle on Latin dance emerges.
Presented By: Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Produced By: Unlock Dancing Plaza
Concept, Choreographer and Artistic Director: Joseph Lee
Director, Editor and Producer: Kitty Yeung
Dancer (Ballet 1): Étienne Ferrère
Dancer (Ballet 1): Lucas Jerkander
Dancer (Green Leaf): Gigi Yang
Dancer (Basic Moves 1): Elsie Chau
Dancer (Basic Moves 1)：Ong Yong Lock
Dancer (Latin Dance 1): Tin Lai Ki
Dancer (Latin Dance 1): Cedric Chan
Composer and Sound Designer: Lawrence Lau
Costume Designer: Trista Ma
Make Up: Carol Wong
Rehearsal Assistant: Paula Wong*
Coordinator: Frieda Ng
Assistant Coordinator: Hayley Li^
Production Assistant: Stephanie Ng#
Episode 1: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Ballet 1
Presented By: Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Produced By: Unlock Dancing Plaza
Concept, Choreographer and Artistic Director: Joseph Lee
Dancer (Ballet 1): Étienne Ferrère
Dancer (Ballet 1): Lucas Jerkander
Director & Producer： Kitty Yeung
Director of Photography： Felix Leong
Focus Puller： deshawn leung
Assistant Camera： Tom
Editor： Jinnaphat Thammasan
Colourist： Phiradon Witcharonasorn
Composer and Sound Designer： Lawrence Lau
Costume Designer: Trista Ma
Make Up: Carol Wong
Rehearsal Assistant: Paula Wong*
Coordinator: Frieda Ng
Assistant Coordinator: Hayley Li^
Production Assistant: Stephanie Ng#, MK Suen
Episode 2: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): A Green Leaf
Presented By: Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Produced By: Unlock Dancing Plaza
Concept, Choreographer and Artistic Director: Joseph Lee
Dancer (Green Leaf): Gigi Yang
Director & Producer： Kitty Yeung
Assistant Director： Patrick Wai @xxx
Director of Photography (theatre)： Felix Leong @macalerlix
Focus Puller (theatre)： Sokin @waikinso
Gaffer (theatre)： Leo Lai @leo_xshan
Director of Photography (house setting)： Patrick Wai XXX @xxx
Editor： Patrick Wai XXX @xxx
Colourist： Phiradon Witcharonasorn
Composer and Sound Designer： Lawrence Lau
Costume Designer: Trista Ma
Make Up: Carol Wong
Rehearsal Assistant: Paula Wong *
Coordinator: Frieda Ng
Assistant Coordinator: Hayley Li^
Production Assistant: Stephanie Ng#, MK Suen
Episode 3: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Basic Moves 1
Presented By: Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Produced By: Unlock Dancing Plaza
Concept, Choreographer and Artistic Director: Joseph Lee
Dancer (Basic Moves 1): Elsie Chau
Dancer (Basic Moves 1)：Ong Yong Lock
Director & Producer： Kitty Yeung
Director of Photography (theatre)： Felix Leong @macalerlix
Gaffer (theatre)： Leo Lai @leo_xshan
Gaffer (boat)： Jerry Tai
Assistant Director (Theatre)： Patrick Wai @xxx
Editor： Stanley Leung
Colourist： Delfina Mayer
Composer and Sound Designer： Lawrence Lau
Costume Designer: Trista Ma
Make Up: Carol Wong
Rehearsal Assistant: Paula Wong*
Coordinator: Frieda Ng
Assistant Coordinator: Hayley Li^
Production Assistant: Stephanie Ng#, MK Suen
Episode 4: Slow Dance (Zoomed In): Latin Dance 1
Presented By: Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Concept, Choreographer and Artistic Director: Joseph Lee
Dancer (Latin Dance 1): Tin Lai Ki
Dancer (Latin Dance 1): Cedric Chan
Director & Producer： Kitty Yeung
Director of Photography| Felix Leong macalerlix
Focus Puller| Sokin @waikinso
Editor： Amy Dang
Colourist： Megan Lee
Composer and Sound Designer： Lawrence Lau
Costume Designer: Trista Ma
Make Up: Carol Wong
Rehearsal Assistant: Paula Wong*
Coordinator: Frieda Ng
Assistant Coordinator: Hayley Li^
Production Assistant: Stephanie Ng#
* The 'Artistic Internship Scheme' is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
# The 'Arts Production Internship Scheme' are supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
^ The 'Arts Talents Internship Matching Programme' is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council