As far as dream stories go, the journey of Tibetan-born Sang Jijia from a child shepherd growing up in the country to becoming one of the biggest names in Contemporary Dance, has been nothing short of amazing.
The Choreographer of upcoming OzAsia Festival’s ‘As if To Nothing’ shared his thoughts on his life, art, and his love of his family above all with Glam Adelaide this week, and was excited to be headed to Adelaide for both OzAsia and our world famous wines!
An ethnic Tibetan born in Gansu described by some as ‘the most perfect dancer’, Sang danced with Guangdong Modern Dance Company (GMDC) from 1993 to 1998 and then with Hong Kong’s City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) from 1999 to 2002. He is currently the Resident Choreographer of CCDC, has studied choreography under William Forsythe in Germany, and stayed with Frankfurt Ballett and the Forsythe Company as assistant choreographer and dancer.
‘As If To Nothing’ has been performed since 2009, and of it’s story Sang says that “I made the work because it was a project for the 30th anniversary of CDCC. Since the dance company has been established for (the past) 30 years, there have been many dancers (that have come) in and out of the company, so I thought I could make a work about memories. You remember some people and you forget some people, or personally, there is some memories in your life that are meaningful. What is meaningful then? That’s what I want to inquire about. Sometimes you remember some people and forget the others, but why do you forget the others? Maybe there’s something secret in the bottom of heart of everyone that you don’t want to be reminded of, or you just can’t remember. There’s a subtle relationship in this, and I wondered how to present this kind of subtle relationship on the stage. That’s how ‘As If To Nothing’ came about.”
The show has had a solid run since 2009, and as Sang mentioned, the cast has turned over each time creating inevitable changes in the dynamic of the performance. Sang is fine with this, and welcomes the creative difference. “There’re some minor changes in every show, but nothing major although with 7 or 8 years passing by, the dancers change frequently. From the first rehearsal till now, we have been more or less performing the show continually, so every time the cast changes, dancers naturally bring some thing new. Some people quit dancing, or leave, stuff like that. New dancers will join in. When a new dancer comes, I will make some adjustments according to his/her individuality, body, and movement or change the movement of the whole dance.”
Described by his contemporaries as ‘The Perfect Dancer, Sang doesn’t take this honour lightly, nor does he allow it to affect his self-judgement. “I’m not sure about my dancing being perfect. Every dancer has different characteristics, and everybody has his/her own individuality, so it’s just understanding these differences and how to express them through movement. That’s more important than perfection, isn’t it? I’m not sure about being the perfect dancer, it’s hard work.”
His drive and determination was made evident under the mentorship of William Forsythe in Germany, where Sang made his presence truly felt among the Dance world. “Bill (Forsythe) definitely influenced me when I worked with him for over 4 years. His views about dancing, his ideas about dancing production definitely influenced me. I haven’t worked with Bill and his dance company for over 10 years but during the period since, I’ve been able to organize my own understanding about dancing or thoughts about limits. I’m exploring myself as time passes by.”
Time has indeed passed by since Sang Jijia’s humble childhood, and he acknowledges that life may very well have turned out very different had he stayed in his village. “When I was a child, I didn’t dare to imagine I would travel around the world to dance, create, and to do choreography. I was born in the countryside, if I had grown up and stayed there, I would have lived a different life.”
The conversation gets onto family, and how Sang balances his heavy schedule with that of home life. “I love being a dad, & keeping company with my boy. When I don’t work, I spend all my time with my son, considering how be a child myself to play with him. Some might think I work all day or something, but that’s not the case. When I don’t have to rehearse, I spend time with my son everyday, painting with him, and playing with him. I’m a babysitter.”
We also discuss our respective ‘country boy’ roots, and I mention to Sang that I live near the wine region (Barossa, SA). He is very excited about this, and says quite openly “Oh, I like red wines very much.” I promise him a bottle of our finest after his show next week,he politely accepts.
As If To Nothing will have it’s Australian Premiere at OzAsia Festival at the Dunstan Playhouse
Thur 22 Sep 2016 7:30pm
Fri 23 Sep 2016, 7:30PM
Sat 24 Sep 2016, 7:30PM
http://www.ozasiafestival.com.au/events/as-if-to-nothing/
Interviewed by Dazz Hassan
@DazzHassan
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