www.kunyanglin.org
910 Kimball Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Kun-Yang Lin, Artistic Director
Email: kunyanglin@yahoo.com

PREMIERE OF KUN-YANG LIN
/DANCERS(PHILADELPHIA)

PHILADELPHIA – Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers (KYL/D), a contemporary dance company that was formerly based in New York City, is pleased to announce the premier of its new work, " CROSSING", featuring all Philadelphia-based dancers. This will be the first public performance of KYL/D (Philadelphia). The performance, part of Dance Fusion's annual season, will take place at The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (Harold Prince Theater) on February 9 and10 at 8 pm.

Lin's dancing is known for a "blend of tautness and buoyancy [that] is not only exciting but also suggestive of the clarity and immediacy with which dance can communicate deep, conflicting emotions" (New York Times). Indeed, his choreography, widely acclaimed by critics and audiences in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, London, Austria, Mexico and throughout the United States , has been described as "deeply spiritual, remarkable" (Dance Magazine) and promises to "transport…us back to the beginning of humanity and the wellspring of our beings" (Backstage).

In his groundbreaking contemporary dance works, Kun-Yang Lin has developed a personal movement language that is an unexpected hybridism between Western and Eastern cultures. Lin draws upon various influences from his native Taiwan, such as calligraphy, martial arts, tai chi and traditional Chinese dance movements, yet expresses these impulses in a thoroughly contemporary way, borne of his extensive performance experience in Asia, Europe, New York and beyond. Recently, KYL/D has performed at The Festival Internacional de Danza in Queretaro , Mexico , Kaatsbaan International Dance Center ( Tivoli , NY ), Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts , Columbia Festival in Maryland, and in New York City at The Japan Society, The Mulberry Street Theatre, The Abrons Art Center/Henry Street Settlement, and Dancing on the Plaza as part of Dancing in the Streets festival.

"Crossing" is a work inspired by the challenges and opportunities presented by Mr. Lin's most recent personal "crossing" — from New York resident to Philadelphia resident. The work explores the significance of "crossings", not just in the geographic sense but also from the perspective of the cultural, emotional and personal developmental implications that transitions bring with them for all people. The work contains six sections: Crossing; Trapped; Escape; Surrender?; Crossroad; and Be. Video work is by Philadelphia up-and-coming artist, Olive Prince and collaged music is by several composers, including Drew Castellano, Kenneth Kirschner and Mum. Costumes by Abigail Zbikowski. The new KYL/D Philadelphia dancers include Janet Pilla, Jennifer Rose, Ben Wegman, Sun-Mi Cho, Olive Prince, and Caroline Wurster.

The creation of "CROSSING" is supported by Temple University and Dance Advance, a program funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by The University of the Arts.