Mishmash of dances comes to Gangdong

Seoul’s Gangdong Arts Center, one of the major venues for dance, is holding its annual festival featuring a total of 19 works of diverse genres ― including ballet, modern, and traditional Korean dance.

The festival celebrates its second edition this year, featuring the works of more than 45 local dance companies. The participating troupes include the Universal Ballet Company, Kook Soo-ho’s Didim Dance Company and the Seoul Ballet Theatre.

Three performances open this year’s edition. One of the three is Kook Soo-ho’s Didim Dance Company’s traditional Korean dance “The Grand Concert of Drums,” which is from their 1985 repertoire. The troupe performed “Korean Drum ― Journey of a Soul,” which is an extended version of their 1985 work, at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2011. The piece features a number of large traditional Korean drums which dancers carry and play as they dance.

Sungsoo Ahn Pick-up Group, a troupe led by celebrated choreographer Ahn Sung-soo, is presenting “Body Concerto,” which incorporates ballet, hip hop, traditional Korean dance and contemporary dance. “Body Concerto” also stars dancers of different sizes. Choreographer Kim, who also teaches at Korean National University of Arts, had a successful run of “Poise” last year, in which he collaborated with the Korean National Ballet and fashion designer Jung Ku-ho.

Those who didn’t get to see the National Dance Company of Korea’s “Madam Domi” last year, there is still a chance to check it out. The festival is staging the 1984 traditional dance of the troupe, which was restaged last year almost 30 years after its first run in Los Angeles. A poignant love story based on a Korean folktale, the dance was choreographed by the troupe’s founding director Song Beom. Set in Korea’s ancient kingdom of Baekje (B.C. 18-A.D. 660), it tells the tragic love story of Domi, a diligent carpenter, and his beautiful wife Arang. 

Seoul Ballet Theatre, on the other hand, is staging “Being,” a ballet danced to rock music. The three-act ballet features the themes of youth, passion, love and despair. Meanwhile, contemporary dance troupe Ahn Aesoon Dance Company is staging “In Gut Out,” which deals with Korea’s contemporary history from the late 1970s to early 1980s ― delving into the issues of industrialization and economic development, as well as their legacies.

This year, a total of nine works created by university students, including dance students from Kyung Hee University and Hanyang University, will be staged. The pieces were selected from 22 works which competed for the festival. Among the nine, one piece will be awarded the festival’s top prize. The winner will be given 50 million won in prize money, and be asked to develop the piece into a full-length dance to be staged at Gangdong Arts Center in October.

The second Gangdong Spring Dance Festival runs from April 21 to May 19. For more information, call (02) 440-0500 or visit www.gdf.gangdongarts.or.kr.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)