Shek Kip Mei Jockey Club Black Box Theatre | Double-bill of conceptual performances《Parlance of Two》

Description

double-bill of conceptual performances

Dick Wong – Performing Artist– performer, choreographer and director

Serene Hui – Visual Artist – installation, sound, printmaking and text

Two artists from different fields have drawn inspiration from the radical spirits  of “Conceptual Art” and “Dadaism” in visual art, to create two conceptual performances that engage with the context and spectatorship of theatre as a framework for their work. Both pieces, “This Is” and “An Agreement,” primarily utilise English and explore the notion of “parlance” (the act of speaking/telling) as their primary medium. Although they are independent works, they subtly connect, facilitating a dialogue through their artistry.

“Conceptual Art” is well-known in the visual art world for its emphasis on language as a medium, dematerialization, and minimising their tools , relying on linguistic definitions as creative strategies. It critiques the essence of “art/artwork/institution” through the processes of creation and reception, sparking self-reflection.

In the context of theatre, language evolves from mere neon-light sign of text to a time-based “embodied narrative” performance. While art historian and critic Michael Fried famously dismissed “theatricality” as the enemy of art’s autonomy, both Wong and Hui embrace it. They transform the theatre into a setting where language is no longer just a sign on a wall, but an embodied experience. For the audience, this is not a passive viewing of a traditional conceptual art exhibition, it is a temporal immersion.

Two artists, two disciplines, one subtle dialogue. Come and witness the space where words become action.

《This Is》

Concept & Performance: Dick Wong

《An Agreement》

Concept & Performance: Serene Hui

Sound & Performance: hirsk

Audience members are required to arrive on time. Latecomers will only be admitted at a suitable break.

Running time of the performance is about 100 minutes with intermission.

Suitable for ages 12 and above.

Unauthorised photography, audio and video recording are prohibited.