Boundary-crossing creative work “Tree of Codes” to open New Vision Arts Festival (with photos)
"Tree of Codes", a boundary-crossing creative work that brings together the talents of multi-award-winning choreographer Wayne McGregor, musician Jamie xx and visual artist Olafur Eliasson, will open the New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF) on October 19. Making its Asia premiere in Hong Kong, "Tree of Codes" is a groundbreaking production that combines literature, sculpture, architecture and spatial design with performance.
"Tree of Codes", taking inspiration from the novel of the same name by American author Jonathan Safran Foer, is performed by dancers from the UK-based Company Wayne McGregor and guest artists. It was first staged as part of the Manchester International Festival in 2015 and has gone on to receive rave views wherever it has been presented.
In creating the intriguing book, Jonathan Safran Foer literally carved out words from Bruno Schulz's "The Street of Crocodiles" – a collection of short stories published in the 1930s – to produce a "sculpted book" with a fresh story to tell. Wayne McGregor, the British director and choreographer of the show, has added a stunning twist to the tale with an immersive reinvention in movement that tests the physical limits of the performers.
The stage design by Olafur Eliasson uses intricate sets of reflective, transparent and refractive surfaces and coloured light to create a dynamic, ever-evolving and complexly layered space in which the dancers are multiplied and overlap, while Jamie xx employs a tailor-made surround-sound system to create uncharted sonic realms, offering audience members an extraordinary dance performance with eye-catching visuals.
Wayne McGregor is the Artistic Director of Studio Wayne McGregor in London, which encompasses his extensive creative collaborations across dance, film, music, visual art, technology and science. He is also the Resident Choreographer at the Royal Ballet, where his productions are acclaimed for daring reconfiguring of classical language.
Jamie xx is a British composer, music producer and remix artist and is also one of three members of The xx, whose self-titled debut album won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. He has toured widely, both as a member of The xx and a solo artist.
Olafur Eliasson is a renowned visual artist who works in a wide range of media from installation, painting and sculpture to photography and film.
"Tree of Codes" is the opening programme of the NVAF. It will be held at 8pm on October 19 and 20 and at 3pm on October 21 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Tickets priced at $180, $280, $380, $480 and $580 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the biennial NVAF, celebrating its ninth edition this year, will be held from October 19 to November 18. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.
