Modern artfest lights up shikumen alleys
Immersive performances including drama, dance, musical recitals and chamber concerts are lighting up the shikumen (stone-gate) alleys of The INLET in Hongkou District during the In•Shanghai Artfest.
Jointly presented by The Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival and The INLET, the Artfest provides a stage for promising creators, while attracting young art lovers with innovative shows staged in the cultural complex of renovated shikumen houses.
An audience enjoys a performance from a close range at The INLET.
Mask and physical theater work "Face 3.0" performed on Saturday evening was one of the major recommendations. It shows solicitude for the spiritual world of the elderly.
"With this work, we intend to call for people's attention toward the mental and living status of the elderly," said choreographer Xiao Zhiren.
Xiao said he was born in a farmer's village, and had spent much time observing the "left-over" older people in villages, as well as elderly people in urban rest homes.
"Face 3.0" shows solicitude for the spiritual world of the elderly.
As a commissioned work by the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, "Face 3.0" integrates drama, contemporary dance and "butoh" dance. Masks replace performers' facial expressions, while elderly people's emotions and inner worlds are showcased by physical rhythms and movements. Life topics like aging and death are deconstructed.
"The show is staged in front of the old houses, which also echoes with our theme," Xiao added. "The dancers draw inspiration and energy from their elderly relatives, and transform them into vividness on stage. I hope it's a healing work for both the performers and audiences."
Performers acknowledge the crowd after the performance.
Other recommended performances of the In•Shanghai Artfest include a recital by French harpist Xavier de Maistre, and a "Golden Horn" concert presented by Musicians of Salzburg Horn Quartet.
The French harpist Xavier de Maistre performs "The Moldau" from "Ma Vlast," which is adapted from the original symphonic poem for harp by the musician.
The harp performance is staged in a mall at The INLET, where a total of 10 performing arts spaces are planned.
The Salzburg Horn Quartet is composed of four musicians: Hannes Guerreiro-Arnold from Austria, Elliott Howley from UK, David Somoza from Venezuela, and Gabriel Sieber from Switzerland.
The festival aims to bring world-class artists closer to the audience.
Aartists from the Guangdong Yue Opera Theatre presented selected excerpts of classic plays for the audience.
Yue Opera artist Huang Yan teaches fans how to twirl spears.
The "Lingering Charm of Silk Road" concert features chamber orchestra of Western and Eastern instruments and electronic music.
Hamburg Ballet principal ballerina Alina Cojocaru and her friends will present a "World Ballet Star Gala."
All performances are free, though reservation is required. Those interested can follow The INLET's official WeChat account or its WeChat membership mini program for reservation and more information.
The audience are free to take photos or record videos while watching the performance.
Performance info
• Xavier de Maistre Harp Recital
October 29, 1:30pm
• Golden Horn
October 29, 2:30pm
• Lingering Charm of Silk Road
November 4, 7pm
• World Ballet Star Gala
November 5, 1:30pm
Venue: The INLET 今潮8弄
Address: Intersection of Sichuan Rd. N and Wujin Rd 四川北路武进路口
