Upclose with Francis Leung
In DanceArt’s latest work, dancer and artistic director Francis Leung collaborates with renowned Taiwanese choreographer Zhang Xiaoxiong. Leung talks with Winnie Chau about the crossover production, “Asunder – Virtual or Real.”
HK Magazine: Tell us about the show.
Francis Leung: It’s a crossover between literature, photography and dance. The literary works—lyrics and poems—are composed by Zhang and act narrate to the story. We’re not used to telling stories in the dance world, but in the show, the dance movements and narration both respond to video clips, which give it a theatrical touch.
HK: But the show isn’t a complete story.
FL: As long as we’re alive, our life is considered incomplete. We have regrets, and when we speak, we aren’t always explicit. Similarly, there are blank spaces in the show to be filled in, and many dots and lines where the audience can add in their own stories.
HK: In your opinion, is dancing virtual or real?
FL: The dance world isn’t exactly a place for language, but for concepts, body movements and emotions, all of which are largely virtual. Each movement doesn’t really stand for a specific message—in that sense, it’s more virtual than real.
HK: Do you feel that the show’s nudity will distract the audience?
FL: Many artists in Hong Kong use nudity in their works, but whether it’s appropriate or necessary is controversial. Our show focuses on the inner world, which requires complete honesty, hence the nudity. Of course, it depends on the attitude of the viewer. From my experience, after a few minutes the audience stops concentrating on the naked body, and starts looking for the reasons behind the nudity and taking in its effects.
HK: Who is your target audience?
FL: We’d like to bring the show to audiences from different backgrounds. If you love visual effects and body movements, it’s worth it. If you prefer something subtler, you can get something from the literary texts. As for music, we’re collaborating with two French exchange students; they’ve created something innovative and new age, and in that sense, the show could be special for students too. In fact, we welcome anyone over the age of 6.