In France, what do we know about the history of dance in Asia and its developments?
In Western countries there is often the assumption that Asian cultures are rooted in the past and resistant to change. Nevertheless, from temple dances to butoh, from court dance to contemporary dance, from ballet used for communist propaganda to post-modern performances, dances kept renewing themselves in Asia, throughout history and socio-political changes.
How did dancers and choreographers contribute to (re)build their national identity? How do they try to give a voice, through the body, to other “discourses”, both aesthetic and political? How are their creations perceived?
Through different approaches – testimonies and theoretical texts –, this collection of essays allows us to identify the many realities of dance on the Asian Continent. Moreover, it fills a gap in the French publishing landscape, where works on dance in Asia are rare.
Writings by: Ting-Ting Chang, Chao Chi-fang, Ananya Chatterjea, Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, Martine Chemana, Sheema Kermani, Kim Hyunjung, Sunil Kothari, Lin Yatin, Liu Feng-shueh, Avanthi Meduri, Sal Murgiyanto, Ong Keng Sen, Claire Rousier, Ea Sola, Uchino Tadashi.