The word 'aesthetic' constantly comes up during an interview with three-time Olympic skater David Liu. Perhaps this explains why he switched to dancing and choreography after he stopped competing.
'I tend to listen to the music and skate with the music. I think a lot of skaters are too concerned about their technique. But maybe that's why they win medals,' Liu says with a laugh.
Liu will take part in Plaza X on October 22 and 23 at Kwai Tsing Theatre, which brings the curtain down on the Contemporary City Dance Company's 25th anniversary season.
Choreographed by award-winner Helen Lai, the show combines modern dance, ice-skating, Bach's cello pieces, fiery tango music and poetry to display the cold and passionate sides of human nature.
It is not surprising that Lai has found the perfect partner in Liu, who had won silver medals at the American Open Professional Championships and Asian Skating Union Trophy International.
Liu has experienced the ruthless nature of sport and the beauty of the arts.
'[Dancing] is more about art and expressing something that you want to say, whereas skating is more about technique. In dance, the technique is a means to achieve an end. The similarity is that both [sport and dancing] require a lot of discipline and strength,' says Liu. Liu has always been disciplined. As a young boy, he studied at the School of American Ballet in New York on a full scholarship.