The world premiere of Mindscape, a large-scale contemporary dance co-created by Chinese and international artists, took place at the Guangzhou Opera House on June 5. Jointly produced by Shen Wei Dance Arts and Guangdong Modern Dance Company, the production has garnered rave reviews from local audiences.
A cross-disciplinary work rooted in Eastern thought
Inspired by core Chinese philosophical heritage, Mindscape draws inspiration from the ancient literati's ideal of openness—a broad-minded way of engaging with the world. Centered on the concept of an "inner landscape," the piece seeks harmony between mind and nature, and between spirit and body.
Conceived after years of contemplation by choreographer Shen Wei, the production integrates dance, poetry, music, painting, video, installation art, and live performance into an immersive theatrical language. Original poetry crafted throughout the creative process is woven into the show to capture the lyrical essence of Chinese aesthetics.
"Everyone carries a breathtaking artwork inside—their own inner mental landscape," Shen said. "Each person has their own aspirations and vision, forming a unique inner world. I hope to interpret traditional Chinese philosophy through contemporary forms and share a positive vision of the future with global audiences."
The musical composition features a distinguished ensemble, including guqin virtuoso Zhao Xiaoxia, xiao performer Liu Xiaogang, percussionist Chen Shijie, and electronic composer Meng Kezhuolan. All musicians not only contributed to the composition but also performed live during the premiere.
Blending timeless guqin tones, airy xiao melodies, dynamic percussion beats and futuristic electronic sound textures, this layered soundscape provides a bespoke sonic landscape for the choreography.
Bridging cultures through movement
Mindscape also marks a significant cross-cultural collaboration, bringing together Chinese and overseas dancers in shared creation. The work emphasizes mutual understanding across cultures and highlights the fusion of Eastern restraint and Western expressiveness.
Across months of rehearsals, performers overcame linguistic gaps through physical expression, gradually developing a shared artistic vocabulary. "Dance transcends all borders," said cast member Guo Fan. "Even with different cultural backgrounds, we were able to ignite creative energy through exchange and collaboration."
Shen Wei described the process as "composing one unified story in multiple languages." He noted that the pursuit of beauty is a universal language easily understood worldwide.
Outside rehearsal hours, international dancers also immersed themselves in Guangzhou's cityscape—walking through historic arcades, experiencing Lingnan culture, and engaging with local daily life. This cultural immersion helped transform initial unfamiliarity into deep artistic resonance.
From Guangzhou to the global stage
Following its Guangzhou debut, Mindscape will embark on an international tour, with performances scheduled in the United States from July 12 to 28 at the invitation of the American Dance Festival and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The production will also be showcased as part of Guangdong's cultural and tourism promotional events in New York.
With its fusion of Eastern philosophy and contemporary interdisciplinary art, Mindscape serves as both a vehicle for cross-cultural dialogue and a creative experiment, starting its journey in Guangdong before expanding onto the global performing arts circuit.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Photo: Guangdong Modern Dance Company
