New Vision Arts Festival 2023

The New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF), an annual fixture in Hong Kong’s cultural calendar, is set to captivate audiences once again this autumn. Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the HKSAR Government, NVAF has established itself in the region for pushing creative boundaries and curating a stimulating mix of cross-disciplinary stage productions from across the globe.

As we emerge from the long shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global artistic community finds itself at a unique juncture – rediscovering connections with audiences, fellow artists, and arts producers worldwide, while also contemplating the profound lessons learnt through their artistic endeavours. The 2023 edition of NVAF takes centre stage with sparkling new productions, serving as a testament to the resilience and innovation of the human spirit. It is a celebration of the remarkable creative fruits borne despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

NVAF’s curtain rises with a powerful opening programme: Double Murder by the internationally acclaimed choreographer, Hofesh Shechter. This thrilling double bill is a riveting exploration of contrasting themes. Clowns, the first half of the evening, offers a sardonic commentary on society’s growing indifference to violence. In stark contrast, The Fix, the second half, serves as an antidote to offer a raw and compassionate moment to balance the forces of aggression and violence. The choreographer aims to convey a message through this double-bill: only hope can counter loneliness and rupture. As simple as it seems, his reflection echoes more now than ever after the pandemic.

Clowns from Double Murder by Hofesh Shechter Company (Photo credit: Todd MacDonald)

During the festival’s opening week, audiences will also be treated to The Once and Future, a collaboration across disciplines and cultures that raises the perennial question: “what does it mean to be truly human?”. Combining film, laser displays, and a live musical performance, it transports viewers to a world where humanity has sought refuge in the digital realm by existing as a collective artificial intelligence. Shot entirely in Argentina during the pandemic by the acclaimed Singaporean filmmaker, Yeo Siew Hua, the film is accompanied by an arresting musical score composed by Eugene Birman and performed live by members of the Berliner Philharmoniker as the ZeMu! Ensemble Berlin, with Indian librettist and vocal soloist Anandi Bhattacharya personifying artificial intelligence in this captivating odyssey.

The Once and Future by Yeo Siew Hua, Eugene Birman, Anandi Bhattacharya, Stanley Dodds and Berliner Philharmoniker members performing as the ZeMu! Ensemble Berlin (Photo credit: Singapore International Festival of Arts 2022)

Another festival highlight is INK, the latest creation by celebrated Greek choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou. This duet was created during the pandemic when young German dancer Šuka Horn was stranded in Greece.  Set on the dark, bare stage, with only an irrigation system visible to the eye, INK is a feast of magical illusions. The dance-like push-and-pull between the two is filled with metaphor, evoking primal repose and a haunting stalemate. Audiences will find themselves irresistibly drawn into this mesmerising nightmare. Following the resounding success of the world tour of The Great Tamer, Papaioannou returns to Hong Kong, even gracing the stage for all performances – an invigorating experience not to be missed.

INK by Dimitris Papaioannou (Photo credit: Julian Mommert)

NVAF’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange shines through the presentation of RAIN, a production discovered at the 2022 AAPPAC Connecting Series as part of the Singapore AAPPAC Conference. Japanese choreographer Ryu Suzuki collaborates with visual artist Shinji Ohmaki and sound artist evala to adapt English writer Somerset Maugham’s short story into a dance work that sheds light on human relationships in the context of the pandemic. The literary metaphor of rain turns physical and overwhelming as Ohmaki brings his installation Liminal Air – Black Weight to the stage. Dancers become entwined in a sea of suspended black strands, while evala transforms musical tones into raindrops that touch the very hearts of the audience. The upcoming NVAF edition sees the Japanese cast joined by two young dancers selected through audition organised by NVAF and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, exemplifying a meaningful cultural exchange that transcends borders.

RAIN by Aichi Prefectural Art Theater and Dance Base Yokohama (Photo credit: Naoshi Hatori, Courtesy of Aichi Prefectural Art Theater)

Other enthralling international collaborations and local talents are not to be overlooked: Tao of Glass, a theatrical exploration co-created by minimalist music legend Philip Glass and award-winning director Phelim McDermott based on their personal encounter; vocal theatre Book of Mountains and Seas recounting ancient Chinese myths with music by Huang Ruo and puppetry by Basil Twist; The Old Man and His Sea, a reimagination of Hemingway’s classic by Yuen Siu-fai and Tang Shu-wing, esteemed in their respective fields of Cantonese opera and theatre; Bach’s St. John Passion being recast into contemporary theatre by SingFest and performers hailing from a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds, a production received rave reviews during its premiere in Germany; and the immersive audio theatre In the Name of Hanjin, a rhapsody about the search for inspiration by the versatile music polyglot Hanjin Tan.

Mark your calendars for the New Vision Arts Festival in 2023, running from 20 October to 19 November, with tickets available starting 8 September. For more information and ticket details, visit www.nvaf.gov.hk.