Wave of Waves
Choreographer: Jin-yeob Cha
Location: Seoullo, Yoonsle: Manridong, which Lights Up Seoul
CHRYSALIS is a series of six videos, spanning six countries, that explores the idea that a particular kind of metamorphosis, transformation, and hope is only possible in a place of darkness. Each video is a fusion of the media of classical music, dance, and film, featuring original choreography set to new compositions recorded by the Oxford Alternative Orchestra (OAO).
This location was originally a depot for street-cleaning equipment and was rebuilt in 2017 with the new name Yoonsle as part of a Seoul Urban Art Project “Seoul is Museum” which aims to “renovate the entire city of Seoul into an art museum.” Yoonsle is a Korean word meaning “ripples that shine in sunlight or moonlight.” The dancers are like ripples who shine on a dark stage illuminating by points of light. Like the movement of the gentle waves of water, their bodies are in constant motion. We sometimes say that in this pandemic era, “Time has stopped.” However, we are always moving or flowing somewhere. Our breath, which never stops, rides on the light slowly, but spreads further. Like the providence of nature, which eventually returns to its original place as it flows constantly, maybe we are recovering and returning to what we have forgotten and what we have lost due to this period. What we mean by “returning” is not returning to the past or staying in that same place. It means reaching another beginning by going through a process of cycles, eventually returning to one’s true self and original state. We should recall that every being coexists with and is connected to all existing things.
You can read more about the CHRYSALIS project by visiting their website.
Part of the Humanities Cultural Programme, one of the founding stones for the
future Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.
