BIDE 2019

BIDE, affectionately known within the Spanish dance community as 'Barcelona International Dance Exchange', is an organization based in Barcelona, that provides services for creative exchange and networking between performing arts professionals worldwide, through a unique tool called B>Lab.

Coming back from BIDE just last week, I had a really enjoyable and inspiring time meeting dancers from 16 other different countries. Barcelona is a city that holds a special place in my heart, so I felt right at home being there.

Working with a theme for this year's edition, dancers have the opportunity to facilitate a B>Lab, where they propose an idea that they wish to explore in their lab and thus creating a constructive, inspiring and hierarchical space for play and exploration. The theme was 'The Hemispheres', and the types of labs ranged from physical movement play, to folding newspaper, playing with tennis balls and even runway walking! Here's some photos to show off:

Additionally, we also had the opportunity to visit some of Barcelona's spaces for the arts, performance and residencies venues. So it was a real treat indeed, and I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in either keen on experimenting an idea they have or just to simply meet new people!

Through BIDE, I am humbled to have the opportunity to be invited to a residency at the CALA Festival in Cori, Italy this September! As part of the Artist-In-Residence program, I will be developing a site-specific solo work which will be presented in the frame of the festival. Revolving around the theme of 'The Hemispheres', this work aims to explore the duality between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Finding the balance between my Eastern/Chinese and Western values, it is an exploration between harmony and chaos, displacement and self-identity. 

Thank you to the BIDE team and Riccardo Guratti for the opportunity.