Image by Kinga Michalska

In a distant, fictional Vietnam, the echoes of pop music on cassette tape reverberate against the sounds of modern Vietnamese rap. Châu Kim-Sanh inhabits this space, metamorphosing through bodily states generated by the presence of coloured neon lights.

Of this evening blue erupts a purpleness: “bầu trời màu tím xẩm” – an uncertain translation. Saigon, like many cities in South-East Asia, is flushed with these vivid lights. Here, embodied memory and the imaginary take a ride on a Honda Dream II motorcycle, across a humid sky whose wetness whips the face.

This solo is performed in its entirety from the squat position – a typically Asian posture. Audio recordings bespeckle the choreography, navigating between fantasized nostalgia, loss of language and sexual objectification – all three widely experienced by Asian diasporic populations. In Southeast Asia, rap culture is increasingly popular – giving a voice to a population marked by silence. Rap here is a prayer.

*The August 12th performance will feature an opening set by Toronto-based rapper Jay V. This 15-minute set will begin at 8:00pm, and extend the event duration from 55 to 70 minutes.

*The August 13th performance will be followed by brief post-show Q&A.

Choreographer, Performer: Châu Kim-Sanh
Music: Hazy Montagne Mystique, Jay V, and Rắn Cạp Đuôi Collective
Rehearsal: Louise Michel Jackson
Dramaturgy: Be Heintzman Hope
Lighting, Tech: Jon Cleveland
Rap support: Vladimir ‘7Starr’ Laurore, LilWaterboi Chuong Trinh, Nguyen Kim Phuong