The 2019 Xixi International Art Festival “Garden of Play × Dreams” Kicks Off in October | Every Corner a Theater—Connecting the World Through Xixi


Release time:

2019-09-25

The 5th Xixi International Art Festival
October 13, 2019 – January 1, 2020
3 Month 3 Major plate, 3 Non-Theater Space Theater Experiment
9 Special invitation from the Ministry of Theater, N + Arts Outreach and Experience
Diverse energies converge and react here.
 
Located in the southeastern corner of Xixi in Hangzhou, within the Jiangnan region, lies a theater with a garden—and a group of young theater artists born in the 1990s.
X: The unknown, fusion, exploration, and reconstruction— a youthful, surging force seeks to break free from the traditional notion of “theater,” deconstructing conventional theatrical expression and even stepping beyond the theater itself, bringing real landscapes into the fold and allowing genuine trees to truly stand on the stage of heaven and earth.


The 5th Xixi International Art Festival (2019) created new contexts both inside and outside the theater, forging genuine connections between theater and the local community, its people, and the realities of local society—sharing the same breath and the same destiny. Everywhere is a stage. Connecting to the world from Xixi, creating an event that’s all about you.

Amusement Park X Dream

Amusement park —Theatrical Experimentation in Non-Theatrical Spaces
In recent years, an increasing number of domestic and international experimental theater productions have moved beyond the traditional “theater” setting and ventured into “non-theater spaces,” exploring new possibilities.
 
"Fragmented – Species Conservation Program"
Xixi Paradise Art Center × Xixi National Wetland Park × Shenshen Buxi × Single Direction Space

Italian choreography tailored to local contexts, Recruiting ten participants from Hangzhou (dancers & amateurs) A soft sculpture made of black inflatable plastic, resembling a giant “pillow,” floats in the air, wandering through the Xixi Wetland like a hunter searching for prey. This abstract object possesses a mysterious energy that can effortlessly devour humans while also returning them to the stage unharmed—much like Earth’s fragile ecosystem, which humanity must learn to coexist with; otherwise, ecological destruction could threaten human survival.
In Xixi National Wetland Park, the “kidney” of Hangzhou, we use our works to call on both the wetlands and audiences to protect the environment and… Environmental “Flexible Coexistence” The initiative.


Xixi International Art Festival – Commissioned Works
The Colors of the City – Hangzhou Edition
Xixi Paradise Art Center x Annie’s Theater – wowtheatre
5 An artist, 7 Create works on-site, taking “Hangzhou” as the theme and determining the city’s colors and presentation style. We don’t know. The Colors of the City – Hangzhou Edition In the end, it might be a device, an exhibition, a play, a performance art piece, an immersive experience… Here, “theater” is neither a physical space nor “drama” in the conventional sense.
 
“BUS BU BU BUS”

  Wandering Public Spaces, Mobile Theaters, Buses Heading to 2020

A collective action that connects the shared memories of a city.

Departure Date: November 3 // November 30 // December 14 // December 31
 
X   — Unknown Exploration
X represents the unknown; according to Baidu, it “refers to a state of limited perception and a sense of confusion.” Oppose. The unknown is not just confusion; it can also be a proactive pursuit of knowledge. Outwardly, full of curiosity about world art; Internally, Xixi Park is just too intriguing to explore. Sharing sessions, forums, workshops, city walks, exhibitions, etc… Because of the unknown, we explore—and that’s what makes it so fascinating. In the garden, we met. Because of our gatherings and the events that unfold, life becomes more full of drama.
   
Dramatic Exploration
World Frontier Theater Information Sharing Session
Speaker: Dr. Shui Jing, Founder of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Time: October 12, 7:30 PM–8:30 PM
Cost: Free
 
Famous theater critic and art festival curator Dr. Crystal Coming to Hangzhou once again, she brings us her latest insights and observations from the international performing arts scene, sharing with you cutting-edge global theater information and her list of the Top 10 in her eyes.
 
Opening Forum: “Let’s Go Outside the Theater!”
and the Launch Event for the “Colors of the City” Project  

Time: October 13, 1:00 PM 30-15: 00

Inside & Outside
Fun & Creative Workshops
Xixi Paradise Art Center x Muluo
Workshop Time: First session, October 27, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM
(Once a week, for a total of 10 sessions)
Leading Teacher: Nora, Founder of Ai Xi Small Class
Fee: Free for the first time
   
Exploring Folk Theater Troupes
Muxi Drama Society
 
Muxi Theater Company is a grassroots theater troupe jointly incubated by Xixi Paradise Art Center and Muluoliao. By the wetland, tell your own story. “Qi” is a disyllabic character; when pronounced “xi,” it conveys restlessness. When read as “qī,” it signifies lingering and finding solace. Starting with theatrical outreach, it’s a somewhat restless yet deeply meaningful folk theater group, one whose future remains uncertain.  

 

 

 

   Xiying Body Theater Company November–December
Breath, Body X Nature

 

 

The Xiyin Body Theater is a physical theater company jointly incubated by the Xixi Paradise Art Center and the Shadow Theater. Taking “going beyond the theater” as its core direction, it is rooted in the Xixi Wetland, seeking inspiration and stories while engaging in dialogue between city and nature. Through theater and dance, it documents, expresses, gives voice to, and continuously explores and creates.

 

 

 

 

Urban Exploration – Xixi Edition: Nature / Culture / History
  November–December
Xixi Paradise Art Center × Xixi National Wetland Park × China Wetland Museum × Maple Forest Evening × Urban Express
 
By leveraging the local tourism resources of Xixi Wetland and the “Xixi Complete Works” series published by the museum, we explore, organize, and collect Xixi IP assets. Through mobilizing grassroots efforts, we invite Xixi’s indigenous residents, stakeholders in Xixi’s development, experts and scholars specializing in flora and fauna, as well as local residents and tourists, to organize and carry out forums, guided tours, and other initiatives that foster dialogue with the city. Jointly explore the IP of Xixi Wetland, uncover “Hidden Trails in Xixi,” and record the sounds of Xixi—both natural sounds and Xixi’s stories—while creating a sound theater notebook for wandering through Xixi.
 
Ethnic Exploration
 
 
“Activation – The Case of the Pan-Museum of China’s Tujia People” Exhibition November  
The exhibition showcases the construction methods and functional zoning of Tujia stilt houses, vividly recreating scenes from the daily lives of the Tujia people, allowing you to glimpse gardens beyond Xixi and the dreams of the Tujia ethnic group.
 
 
Dream — Special Guest at the Theater

 
In the small theater, we dream together with the whole world.
5 A country, 9 A work.
 
10.13/11.16
Opening Performance: “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit”
Works by Iranian playwright Nanshin Suleimanpur

10.18–10.20
Maybe, Maybe, Maybe Maybe, maybe, perhaps. (Mexico)
Gabriella · Munoz Gabriela Munoz
Exclusive Introduction by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival | National Tour Organizer
 
10.25–27
"Golden Dragon" Dr. Gold
For more details on performances and ticket purchases, please follow the WeChat official account of [Xixi Paradise Art Center].

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