Choy Ka Fai

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.