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Dans Storm: Proof that underground theater is alive in Shanghai
It's the pariah of the Shanghai arts scene, but underground theater finds approval at the Ke Center, with workshops and this weekend's Dans Storm event
Zhang Yuan, one of the young choreographers who will be at "Dans Storm," shows his latest work to audiences.Judging by the difficulties organizers have putting on shows, contemporary dance may be the most punk rock art form in Shanghai.
Often, independent dance performances (read: "underground theater") can only proceed when tickets are given away free of charge; they're called “workshops” or “communications,” instead of “performances,” and held at small or remote venues.
Nevertheless, some ambitious performances are taking place -- and this weekend they get their moment on the main stage at Shanghai's Ke Center.
'Dans Storm'
In recent weeks a series of dances called Dans Storm has been held at the Downstream Garage, a converted, underground factory space, set well back from Longcao Lu, near Caobao Lu metro station.
Dans Storm has provided a forum to see Chinese and European dancers perform in a year -- and a 2010 Expo year, no less -- when other independent performances failed to get off the ground.
In one recent piece, Finnish dancer Sari Palmgren performed “Animal Motion.” Hunched down, with just a spotlight on her naked back, Palmgren maneuvered her shoulders like a jungle cat, poking holes in the paper screen that separates us from other mammals. It’s the sort of performance that couldn’t take place in mainstream venues.
