Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Jury’s Comments for the Performing Arts Award Winner

In a concise and powerful manner with minimalist technique and movement, choreographers LEE and VAKULYA recreate the drained mental and physical state of one confronted with the exhaust and emptiness of today’s world. Through refined body movements, we see repetitive cycles of separation and reunion between individuals and collectives, and intertwined yet fragmented arrangements. A hysterical energy with which to explore the body structure is generated and organized into a force that oscillates between mechanical and organic. The choreographers boldly face the burnt state and transform negative mental and physical signs into a unique body language, aptly conveying a bolstering and collaborating relationship. The dance provides an imaginative kinetic space where we may attain the power of emancipation through a subdued inner self.

Comments on the Finalists

Co-created by LEE Chen-Wei and Vakulya Zoltán, Burnt [the eternal long now] puts forth an alternative extreme of the dance body through featuring physical weariness. Through three dancers and the choreographic vision external to the dancers, along with a highly rhythmic sound design, the dance piece properly integrates the structure and interpretation informed by a dense sound frequency and large-scale body movements. In the midst of flipping, folding, pushing and pulling of the torso, limbs, joints and bones, combined with inward dynamic changes, it compels the audience to enter imaginary cells or microscopic units inside the body, introducing waves piling on waves of physical and sonic blasts and mental fatigue until it reaches both extremes. At the same time, the choreography produces a distinctive experience that is connected with the journey of seeing, hearing, and fatigue, subtly yet profoundly pointing out the numerous issues of modern societies. (Commentator / HUANG Ya-Li)

Artwork Introduction 

Burnt [the eternal long now] choreographically explores the collective, social phenomenon known as the burnout syndrome. With three dancers forming a metaphor for a small society, the dance makes use of the entanglement of the body and center of movement, as well as a constant change of hand gestures, touches, and dance movements to drive the body with force, and explore the sensitive and fragile mental state of human beings. Sound design and stage installations are used to reflect the inner worlds of the dancers, and immerse audiences in an exploration of the struggle and impact created by this state of mind. The dance is a direct gaze into our existence characterized by fierce competition in modern society, and addresses the subsequent effects resulting from individuals and groups being trapped in this lasting state of feeling burnout.

About the Artist 

LEE\VAKULYA is an artistic choreography duo created by LEE Chen-Wei and VAKULYA Zoltán, who have been collaborating and endeavoring in developing their unique movement languages since 2016. Their creative concept primarily concentrates on how the movement body interacts and connects with its social surroundings, as well as the expression of the zeitgeist. The focus of their works has been to explore the interconnection between the movement body and the current social environment, with an emphasis on the subtle relations between humans and society. Through their works, they have posed questions about sensitive issues and deliver their viewpoints, continuously challenging their own partnership and investigating the limit of empathy.

Production Team 

Choreography ｜ LEE\VAKULYA 

Director ｜Zoltán Vakulya

Performers ｜LEE Chen-Wei、Esse Vanderbruggen、Jessica Simet

Music Design & Perform ｜ Gryllus Abrís

Dramaturg ｜ Alice Van der Wielen-Honinckx

Lighting Design ｜ Xavi Moreno

Costume Design ｜ LEE\VAKULYA

Costume Design Adviser ｜TSAI Hao-Tien

Stage Design ｜ LEE\VAKULYA

Stage Design Adviser & Graphic Design ｜WANG Ding-Yeh

Lighting Design for Taiwan Touring ｜PENG Jiou-Fang、HSU Tzu-Han

Stage Manager ｜HUANG Yan-Chen

Deputy Stage Manager ｜LAN Jing-Ting

Sound Engineer ｜WEN Cheng-Han

Master Electrician ｜TSAI Chia-Ching

Executive Production｜WANG Yun-Chi

Production Management ｜ nona Arts Center（Belgium）、Dynamo Management (Taiwan) 

Development Support｜Wewuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts

With the support of Flemish Culture Ministry (Belgium),  National Culture and Arts Foundation (Taiwan)