Koko News | 芸術 | 3 days ago

The Vibrant Spectacle of Taoist Funeral Ceremony through Contemporary Dance

Inacaptivatingfusionofancienttraditionsandmodernexpression, aperformancefeaturingaTaoistfuneralceremonyemergesasavibrantspectacle, blendingculturalritualswiththefluidityofcontemporarydance.

道教葬禮儀式表演將古老傳統與現代表達方式完美融合，形成一場充滿活力的盛會，將文化儀式與流暢的現代舞蹈融為一體。

Centraltothisexperienceis“helldoorbreaking,” adynamicritualbroughttolifebytheinnovativedancerandchoreographerTerryTsangLuk-san.

這次體驗的核心是“打破地獄之門”，這是一項由創新舞者兼編舞家曾祿山賦予生命的動態儀式。

Throughauniquecombinationofchanting, spinning, andexhilaratingmovementsaroundthefire, thisceremonyinvitesparticipantstoengageinaprofoundexplorationoflife, deathandrebirth.

透過吟唱、旋轉和圍繞火堆的令人振奮的動作的獨特組合，該儀式邀請參與者參與對生命、死亡和重生的深刻探索。

Fiveyearsago, TsangbeganresearchingthelocalTaoistritualof“helldoorbreaking,” performedwhensomeonepassesaway. Thisritualisbelievedtohelpguidethesoultoreincarnationmoreswiftly.

五年前，曾開始研究當地道教的「破鬼門關」儀式，這種儀式在人過世時舉行。人們相信這種儀式能幫助靈魂更快轉世。

ForTsang, whowasborninGuangzhouandraisedinHongKong, itisareflectionof“whereIcomefrom”.

對於出生在廣州、成長在香港的曾來說，這反映了「我來自哪裡」。

Overthepastfewyears, Tsanghasbeenrevisingandreimagining“helldoorbreaking”inhischoreography. Nextmonth, hewillpresentthefourthversionof“TraveloftheSoul:EchoesafterTime”attheHongKongArtsDevelopmentCouncil’s30thAnniversaryGalaFestival.

過去幾年，曾吳一直在修改和重新構思他編舞作品中的「破地獄門」。下個月，他將在香港藝術發展局30週年慶典藝術節上呈現第四版《心靈之旅：時空迴響》。

Thistime, thepiecewillbereinterpretedbyfourKoreandancerswhowillblendtraditionalandcontemporarystyles.

此次，作品將由四位韓國舞者重新詮釋，融合傳統與現代風格。

ThesameshowwillalsobeperformedinOctoberattheArkoArtsTheatreinSeoul.

同一節目也將於10月在首爾Arko藝術劇院上演。

Tsangstronglybelievesinblendinglocaltraditionsintocontemporarydance.

曾堅信將當地傳統融入現代舞蹈。

Tsang’sjourneywithdancebeganinsecondaryschool. Oneofhisearliestmemoriesofdanceoccurredduringmandatoryphysicalexpressionclasses, wherehelearnedtousehisbodytoconveyconceptssuchasrocksorwater.

曾的舞蹈之旅始於中學時期。他對舞蹈最早的記憶之一，是在必修的肢體表達課上，他學會了用身體來表達諸如石頭或水之類的概念。

Craftinga10-minuteperformancewithhisclassmateswasnoeasyfeat, butitwasherethatTsangfirstexploredtheuseofbody, voice, expressionsandinstrumentsforartisticexpression.

與同學們一起進行10分鐘的表演絕非易事，但正是在這裡，曾吳第一次探索了運用肢體、聲音、表情和樂器進行藝術表達。

Thoughhedidnotrealiseitatthetime, thiswashisfirstexposuretothestyleofperformanceknownasmoderndance.

雖然當時他並沒有意識到，但這是他第一次接觸現代舞這種表演風格。

Drivenbyadesiretoexcel, hepractisedeverydaywheneverhehadfreetime.

在追求卓越的渴望的驅使下，他每天只要有空閒時間就會練習。

Eventually, Tsangbegantakinghip-hopclassesandattendedtheHongKongAcademyforPerformingArtsasauniversitystudent, officiallyembarkingonhisjourneyasaprofessionaldancer.

後來，曾先生開始學習街舞，並考入香港演藝學院大學，正式踏上職業舞蹈員的旅程。

Afteryearsofhoninghiscraft, TsangwascrownedtheYoungArtistWinnerforDanceatthe18thHongKongArtsDevelopmentAwardslastyear.

經過多年的磨練，曾氏去年榮獲第十八屆香港藝術發展獎舞蹈新秀獎。

ThisaccoladeopenedthedoortoopportunitiesforTsang, whoisnowafreelancedancer.

這項榮譽為曾先生打開了機會之門，他現在是一名自由舞者。

Asidefromthecouncil’ssupport, Tsangalsocreditshisdanceteacherswithshapinghisjourney, especiallyBonniChan, theco-artisticdirectorofTheatreduPif.

除了委員會的支持外，曾先生還感謝他的舞蹈老師對他的旅程的塑造，尤其是 Pif 劇院的聯合藝術總監 Bonni Chan。

ForTsang, imaginationiskeytohisapproachtodance; hiscreativityshapeshisbodymovementsandconnectionwithspace.

對曾來說，想像力是他舞蹈方法的關鍵；他的創造力塑造了他的身體動作和與空間的連結。

Lookingahead, Tsanghopestoexecuteanall-femalehelldoorbreakingperformance, challengingtraditionalgenderroles, aswomenareoftendeemedunluckyorunfittoperformtheritual.

展望未來，曾希望進行一場全女性的地獄之門突破表演，挑戰傳統的性別角色，因為女性通常被認為不吉利或不適合執行這種儀式。

Tsang’sfinalmessagetostudentsistobetruetothemselves:toopentheirfivesensesandlistentotheirhearts.

曾先生最後寄文給學生的是：忠於自己：打開自己的五感，傾聽自己的心聲。

Hehopesthatthroughexposuretotheperformingarts, studentswilllearnwhatittrulymeanstoliveandfeel.

他希望透過接觸表演藝術，學生們能夠了解生活和感受的真正意義。

Thecurrentsignificanceofartliesinitsabilitytobringjoytopeopleorprovidetherapeuticbenefits. Itservesasapositiveinfluenceandofferstheaudiencemorespaceforreflection, Tsangadded.

曾先生補充道，藝術在當下的意義在於它能帶給人快樂，或是起到療癒的作用，它能起到正面的影響，也為觀眾提供了更多的反思空間。

In a captivating fusion of ancient traditions and modern expression, a performance featuring a Taoist funeral ceremony emerges as a vibrant spectacle, blending cultural rituals with the fluidity of contemporary dance.

Central to this experience is “hell door breaking,” a dynamic ritual brought to life by the innovative dancer and choreographer Terry Tsang Luk-san.

Through a unique combination of chanting, spinning, and exhilarating movements around the fire, this ceremony invites participants to engage in a profound exploration of life, death and rebirth.

Five years ago, Tsang began researching the local Taoist ritual of “hell door breaking,” performed when someone passes away. This ritual is believed to help guide the soul to reincarnation more swiftly.

For Tsang, who was born in Guangzhou and raised in Hong Kong, it is a reflection of “where I come from”.

Over the past few years, Tsang has been revising and reimagining “hell door breaking” in his choreography. Next month, he will present the fourth version of “Travel of the Soul: Echoes after Time” at the Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s 30th Anniversary Gala Festival.

This time, the piece will be reinterpreted by four Korean dancers who will blend traditional and contemporary styles.

The same show will also be performed in October at the Arko Arts Theatre in Seoul.

Tsang strongly believes in blending local traditions into contemporary dance.

Tsang’s journey with dance began in secondary school. One of his earliest memories of dance occurred during mandatory physical expression classes, where he learned to use his body to convey concepts such as rocks or water.

Crafting a 10-minute performance with his classmates was no easy feat, but it was here that Tsang first explored the use of body, voice, expressions and instruments for artistic expression.

Though he did not realise it at the time, this was his first exposure to the style of performance known as modern dance.

Driven by a desire to excel, he practised every day whenever he had free time.

Eventually, Tsang began taking hip-hop classes and attended the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts as a university student, officially embarking on his journey as a professional dancer.

After years of honing his craft, Tsang was crowned the Young Artist Winner for Dance at the 18th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards last year.

This accolade opened the door to opportunities for Tsang, who is now a freelance dancer.

Aside from the council’s support, Tsang also credits his dance teachers with shaping his journey, especially Bonni Chan, the co-artistic director of Theatre du Pif.

For Tsang, imagination is key to his approach to dance; his creativity shapes his body movements and connection with space.

Looking ahead, Tsang hopes to execute an all-female hell door breaking performance, challenging traditional gender roles, as women are often deemed unlucky or unfit to perform the ritual.

Tsang’s final message to students is to be true to themselves: to open their five senses and listen to their hearts.

He hopes that through exposure to the performing arts, students will learn what it truly means to live and feel.

The current significance of art lies in its ability to bring joy to people or provide therapeutic benefits. It serves as a positive influence and offers the audience more space for reflection, Tsang added.