Body Language
A force behind the Beijing Olympics’ pageantry unveils new work
A force behind the Beijing Olympics’ pageantry unveils new work
To take a brief break from his work as a choreographer, Shen Wei — winner of a MacArthur “genius” grant, and the lead creative consultant for the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing — headed to Tibet.
Born in China, he had long been familiar with the region’s steppes, Buddhist temples, and mountainous landscape. But what he found there during his trip in 2005 took his breath away, literally.
“Some places are 4,000 meters above sea level. It’s so high that you need oxygen,” says Mr. Wei. “Your body was so calm and yet your brain worked so fast.”
MacArthur genius grant recipient Shen Wei (Ernestine Ruben)
His trip to Tibet contributed to one section of a three-part performance Mr. Wei will present at Lincoln Center starting July 9, 2009. Each section of the show will encompass a different portion of Mr. Wei’s travels. The other two sections were inspired by the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, and China’s Silk Road. Mr. Wei entitled the triptych “Re-” to suggest rebirth or renewal. More>>
"Re-" at the Lincoln Center Arts Festival, New York City, July 9-11, 2009. Shen Wei and artist Cai Guo-Qiang in a live conversation with Wall Street Journal correspondent Geoffrey Fowler about leaving China, making it in New York, and returning to Beijing to help stage the 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremonies July 1, Lincoln Center Summer Scoops Live with The Wall Street Journal. Information at WSJ.com/Live.
