Choy Ka Fai

Postcolonial Spirits

Indonesian, Dutch, with English subtitles

Duration 75 min

As part of his ongoing project “CosmicWander”, Berlin­based Singaporean artist Choy Ka Fai offers a new perspective on the Indonesian folk dance – Dolalak. Originating from the island of Java, Dolalak has continuously adapted to pop culture and evolved with social media. It stems from traditional Javanese dance mixed with imitations of colonial Dutch soldiers at cosplay parties in the 1930s. The trance ritual is accompanied by songs of local myths, political banter and Islamic poems.

Inspired by the multi­dimensional heritage of Dolalak, “Postcolonial Spirits” presents a telepresence experience with the performers from Java, who are connected via livestream and the performer Vincent Riebeek, who is present live in Berlin. In perceiving established cultural and historical rituals through the lens of contemporary technology, Choy opens up a liminal space in which dance transcends colonial resistance, power and fantasy.

 

“Aside from the performance “Postcolonial Spirits”, Tanz im August will present the exhibition, “CosmicWander: Expedition” at KINDL – Zentrum für zeitgenössische Kunst from 6 – 22 August.

World Premiere
Credits

Production: Choy Ka Fai in cooperation with Tanz im August / HAU Hebbel am Ufer Berlin. Supported by: The Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Europe, Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. The research process is supported by: The National Arts Council, Singapore, the VERTIGO project as part of the STARTS program of the European Commission, based on technological elements from Moving Digits.

Notes:

Due to an extensive PCR testing regime for SARS-CoV-2, the performers can move on stage in this production without minimum distance.

Past dates

  • World Premiere

    Thu 12.8.

    from 18:00 to 19:15 HAU1

  • Fri 13.8.

    from 18:00 to 19:15 HAU1

  • Sat 14.8.

    from 17:00 to 18:15 HAU1

  • Sun 15.8.

    from 17:00 to 18:15 HAU1

Location

HAU1
Stresemannstr. 29, 10963 Berlin

There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Access to the Parkett by means of a separate entrance with lift when necessary. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons can be booked via the ticketing system. If you need any help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or send us an email at 
tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de.