Deciphers
International collaboration created together by Naishi Wang and Jean Abreu
2022 UK R&D photos + Video Trailer by Maya Yoncali
Deciphers - an international collaboration created by Naishi Wang and Jean Abreu - toured across Canada to 4 venues with 13 performances from 26 Jan - 23 Feb 2024.
Deciphers is a compelling physical performance bringing together elements of Chinese Folk Dance, Brazilian dance styles, spoken word, breath, and ink on paper to explore translation. The various mediums create and question complexities of communication through the lens of understanding and misunderstanding
Co-performers and choreographers, Naishi Wang and Jean Abreu, use the stage as their blank canvas highlighting the body as a primal source for communication and carrier of meaning. Deciphers addresses translation as a linguistic phenomenon centering the immigrant experience.
Photo from Deciphers Production Week at Dance City by Maya Yoncali
Photo from Deciphers Production Week at Dance City by Maya Yoncali
“The connection between the artists reflects a study in difference and commonality, a kind of measuring of where I have been and where I am going. What’s left is audible breath, expended energy, something very human, with rays of fluorescent light illuminating what remains in that psychic space.”
Philip Szporer, The Dance Current
Artistic Directors and choreographers Jean Abreu and Naishi Wang
Performers Jean Abreu and Naishi Wang
Lighting Design Lucie Bazzo
Visual Design Ivy Wang
Composer Olesia Onykiienko
Dramaturgic advice Guy Cools
Outside eye Ginelle Chagnon (live)
Rehearsal Director Xing Bang Fu
Voice Coach Fides Krucker
Access Consultant Zed Lightheart
Technical Director Emerson Kafarowski
Stage Manager/Technical Assistant in collaboration A.J. Morra
Technical Manager Cath Cullinane
PR and Marketing Diagonal Dance
CA Producer Robert Sauvey
UK Producer Michael Peter Johnson
Naishi Wang
Born in Changchun, China, Naishi Wang began his training at Jilin College of Art before moving to Canada in 2004 to attend The School of TDT. He was a company member of Toronto Dance Theatre for nine years, and in 2015 embarked on an independent career.
As an award-winning performer and independent choreographer, Naishi’s development aligns with his belief that the performing arts offer an imaginary perspective, and is interested in pushing the art form in the 21st century. He has collaborated with Berlin-based artist Christoph Winkler, and in 2009 was commissioned by SXM studio in Beijing to create concept-based dance works. In 2018, he premiered his celebrated solo Taking Breath. Naishi is an artist in residency at Citadel + Company in Toronto, and La Serre – arts vivants in Montreal. His collaboration with U.K.-based Jean Abreu is supported by the NAC-CCA Visiting Dance Artist Program.
@naishi_wang
Photo by Hans Michael Lenz
Friday, 26 January 2024
World Premiere at PuSh International Festival, Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, 8 February 2024
Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Montréal Arts Interculturels, Montreal, Canada
Thursday, 22 February 2024
National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Canada