From Jin Xing Contemporary Dance Theatre to D.Lab, Shanghai has witnessed a growth in ambitious local contemporary dance companies. However, up in northern China, Tao Dance Theatre has been a pioneering force for the country, winning praise overseas for a style that could only haven been born in China.
Originally located in the Beijing suburbs, Tao Dance Theatre was founded in 2008 by acclaimed dancers Tao Ye and Duan Ni. Although they originally met at Jin Xing Contemporary Dance Theatre and joined forces for Shen Wei’s signature piece, Rite of Spring, they found themselves unfulfilled.
Turning their backs on promising careers working with world-renowned dance companies, the two cofounded Tao Dance Theatre, aiming to create a brighter future by going back to exploring the very root of dance: the body.
Their numerical series captures these attempts. Beginning with their first show 2, featuring Tao and Duan, to their most recent 8, each piece is named after the exact number of dancers used in the show.
“Others call us avant-garde, but what we do is quite old school,” Tao says.
“We use our bodies as the only channel, and train them to be extremely sensitive both musically and visually. So when we dance, our bodies express not only imagination but also perception. We are constantly moving without any pauses.”
In other words, Tao’s dance is a progression of physical evolution rather than a combination of technical movements. Since their debut in 2008, the company has received wide acclaim internationally. They’ve been invited to perform at New York’s Lincoln Center for a major arts festival. During his last trip to Shanghai, Benjamin Millepied (LA Dance Project, Paris Opera Ballet, Black Swan) expressed his admiration for the group.
Ironically, Tao Dance Theatre’s international success was contrasted by confusion from audiences at home. Tao admits the group’s repetitive movements may have been challenging.
“It’s nothing like traditional performances, naturally,” he says. “The key is whether you can unleash yourself from the shackles of traditional bondage.”
Acclaimed indie-folk musician Xiao He pledges his absolute support for Tao. He admits that he never understood contemporary dance prior to watching a performance by the Tao Dance Theatre.
Xiao recalls his growing confusion about the art form until Tao and Duan started performing. “With simple apparel and emotionless faces, the expressions of their bodies instantly captivated me with or without music,” he says. “It’s the purity of dance that connected me with their performance.”
Since then, that bond has only been cemented with Xiao serving as musical director for Tao Dance Theatre’s latest show. Tao admits Xiao’s music has brought out a different side to their dance and added new layers to their performance.
He’s reluctant to reveal too many details of 4 & 5, which will come to Shanghai Culture Square on September 2, but Xiao proudly notes five different instruments will be used in 5 to showcase the five elements.
Now performing for the third time in Shanghai, Tao promises that visits will be more frequent in the future. He credits a growing appreciation among local audiences to the Tao Dance Theatre but emphasizes that an organic and professional cultural environment are keys to the growth of contemporary dance in China.
Sep 2, 7.15pm, RMB80-480. Shanghai Culture Square.
All photos by Fan Xi
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