Ahn Eun-me unveils bold interpretation of Asia with ‘Post-Orientalist Express'
Choreographer Ahn Eun-me, long celebrated as a one-of-a-kind force in Korean contemporary dance, will premiere her latest production, "Post-Orientalist Express," at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' M Theater on May 2-4.
A vibrant culmination of her yearslong exploration of Asian identities, "Post-Orientalist Express" marks the final chapter in Ahn's ambitious 'Asia Project,' which began in 2018.
The 62-year-old choreographer, whose flamboyant style and boundary-pushing vision have defined her career, combines research-based choreography with dazzling stage and wardrobe design. She created more than 90 costumes herself, all inspired by traditional attire and local materials.
The production draws on field research conducted in Manila, Bali and Okinawa, where Ahn immersed herself in local traditions, rhythms and emotional vocabularies. Rather than simply borrowing aesthetic elements, the work aims to embody the spirit, sensibilities and kinetic memories of each region -- crafting a dance language where the traditional and contemporary collide and coalesce, according to the choreographer.
'I want to remove the stakes that have long held the concept of 'Orientalism' in place,' said Ahn, expressing her desire to challenge and dismantle outdated representations of Asia.
Ahn's longtime collaborator and music director Jang Young-gyu, known also as the bassist of the alternative pop band Leenalchi, will shape the sonic landscape of the production. The two have worked together for more than three decades, since their first collaboration in the 1992 work "A-Li-Ral-Al-La-Li-O."
The Sejong Center performance marks the world premiere of "Post-Orientalist Express." A European tour is slated for late 2025 through 2026, with the production already confirmed for co-productions at major venues in Europe including Berliner Festspiele in Berlin, Theatre de la Ville in Paris, Grand Theatre of the City of Luxembourg, and Orleans Theatre in France.
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