Crashing through the layers

Sang Jijia works with Beijing Dance/LDX performers in his new work, Layer Code [Photo by Guo Qiaochu/For China Daily]

Sang Jijia's computer crashed when he was thinking hard about his new choreographic work's theme. He lost many files but got an idea.

"Sometimes you need to reset something in your life, in the same way you reset a computer," he says.

This theme offers many dimensions for consideration, such as why the system breaks and how it's reset.

Sang also explores the relationship between mankind and space, and technology's meaning to life.

These layers of thought are presented in his new work, Layer Code, which will be performed by BeijingDance/LDTX at their studio theater in Beijing from Jan 11 to 13 and 18 to 20.

Sang is working with sound artist Dickson Dee and video designer Adrian Yueng Chun Yip - both from Hong Kong - to create this multimedia work. Also onboard is Malaysian lighting designer Godzilla Tan Keam Beng.

Sang's approach involves interacting with the other artists. They spend every day with the dancers in the studio.

Sang also asks the dancers to get involved in the choreography process. He begins with workshops to learn about the physical condition of BeijingDance/LDTX's dancers and to gauge their potential. Then, he asks each dancer to pick 10 words from a list of 300 to learn what they're thinking about. He also asks them to provide five personal photos and tell a story based on the photos.

"Through such processes, I come to see what they can do and what I can lead them to do," Sang says.

"Then, I'll begin to choreograph with interesting elements I get from the dancers."

Sometimes Sang takes inspiration from the dancers' movements during their breaks.

"I initially only had the work's title. I tried not to imagine the scenes before rehearsal," he says. "I like surprises."

Sang works this way when he choreographs for different groups around the world, such as the City Contemporary Dance Company of Hong Kong and The Forsythe Company of Germany.