Hong Kong lion dance gets a modern twist in Daniel Yeung’s opening show at new ArtisTree
With its acrobats and aerialists, ContempoLion reimagines the traditional dance usually associated with Lunar New Year festivities, but Yeung says the art form is a hybrid that lends itself well to new interpretations
Contemporary dancer and choreographer Daniel Yeung Chun-kong’s latest work, ContempoLion, is a fresh take on what’s been around in China, and the rest of Asia, for centuries: lion dance. The award-winning Hong Kong artist says it may not seem obvious at first but the ancient art form actually lends itself very well to new interpretations.
“While people tend to regard cross-media as a modern [concept], many ancient art forms are, in fact, cross-media,” Yeung says. “Lion dance is a fusion of dance, acrobats, percussion and music. You can even see it as a gigantic puppet show.”
To prove his point, he has invited acrobats, aerial silk and aerial hoop performers, and pole dancers from around the world to take part in his upcoming show, which marks the opening of the new location of ArtisTree, an art space in Taikoo Place.
ContempoLion is an apt choice of name, adds Yeung, given the festive and auspicious nature of lion dance, traditionally reserved for ushering in Lunar New Year .
His new piece is all about reimagining through fresh eyes something that most of us grew up watching.
