Interview with director Sheng Wei Xu
Welcome Sheng, we are very excited to have you today and discuss about your work. So who is Ryo Kagawa ?
WeiSheng Xu and LingZhi Zhang are the co-founders of 㸚AesOri (Aesthetic/Originality) Body Art Studio with a research focus on experimental art creation and cross-media art collaboration. Through the deep insight and exploration into public space and living environment, we aim to seek the return of body aesthetic consciousness and to listen to the authentic expression of each individual. Our passion for filmmaking comes from the research direction of our creation. We think that it is very interesting and meaningful to weave the personal record from the interaction between the body and the camera with our perspective. Thus, we have been trying and learning the art of dance filmmaking.
Can you tell us about your previous work?
Both of us have been working as college dance teachers for 9 years. It was a career we love, but it also has many certain limitations. As educators are more focused on the rules and techniques of each movement, there are always too many judgments on the physical performance, leading to curb many creativities from individuals. This also deviates from our principle ‘‘body is a liberal expression’’, so we’ve decided to set up the ‘‘㸚 AesOri’’studio, to empower our arts with more liberal space, and to explore possibilities together with more individuals.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: TIME
Talk to us about your films ? How were they created ? Any inspirations ?
This art work talks about the cycle of breaking, rotting, falling off and disappearing. When time disappears, only traces of the body will be left, and the dancer’s body will be marked by the passage of time and space. In this way, such body could become a portrait of the nature. The dancer in this work is an independent houseware brand owner and he has never received any professional training in dance. We chose him because of the personality of his body; it is the most direct correspondence among the time, environment and a kind of unmodified and authentic body strength. We want to present this work in a frozen frame through time, space and body.
Are you self taught in film directing ? How does dancing provide storytelling for you ?
We have taught ourselves filmmaking from constant attempts and practices. Even though we did not study from a professional film institution, yet we have 10-year experience as dance choreographers. We have always been exploring various forms of expression through the use of dancing bodies, further to share culture and emotions. We believe that the output of body texture in films can convey a very beautiful message. And it is very infectious and inspiring.
Is there a particular art style you would describe your work ? Art or Experimental ?
Our work is an artistic image creation about the physical environment.
Would you consider your film for museum art installations ?
Yes, we sincerely hope that our film can be used in museum art installations, and we believe that it will be a remarkable form of presentation. In this way, more individuals can see the expression of different fields. In addition, if the installation has hierarchical segmentation, surround stereo, and also is combined with some possible audience interaction, it will be even better.
FUTURE WORK AND CLOSING LETTER
What is the message the audience should convey leaving the screening of your film ?
They would convey a message that dance, as a physical art, could not only be appreciated, or be used to carry information and cultural content, but also at the same time, it could become an art form of self-expression, self-cognition and self-recovery.
What is the target audience of the project?
Our project is aimed at both professionals and non-professionals who are interested in dance and body art. Furthermore, our target audience is a group of individuals who can strongly feel the co-existence of time, environment and body; no matter how diverse they are from different fields, country borders and cultural backgrounds, our audience could always be inspired by the medium of self-cognition and interpersonal relationship.
Is there a project in the future? And personal wishes.
We have been working on a 60-second body image project, and it is a dance film project for non-professionals. Although at this phase, it is still a basic project, it will keep extending and developing different branch works and projects with the accumulation of our creation content and experience. We are hoping to form a more influential comprehensive dance filmmaking project with more involving cross-disciplinary and art expressions.
That was the interview with our beloved creator Sheng Wei Xu. Our community is rising everyday, new talented filmakers and screenwriters get onboard. Be sure to check the rest of our interviews and why not order one for yourself to promote your work. To order an interview simply submit on the INTERVIEW OF YOUR FILM category on our Filmfreeway page.
