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The Power of Photography & Choreography

Afanador emerges from the tension between the fascination that emanates from Ruven Afanador’s photos, and my own fascination with all the mystery, so diurnal and yet so nocturnal, that once fascinated Ruven.
Marcos Morau

Ruven Afanador’s photography is not documentary or monumental—it doesn’t archive history or glorify its subjects. Instead, it is driven by desire, distorting and being distorted by its object. Desire, elusive by nature, shapes what it sees, revealing subjective and profound truths.

Afanador approaches Andalusian folklore through this lens, exposing flamenco’s raw subconscious—its passion, death, and untold stories. His work amplifies its essence into a surreal, evocative world of shadow and light, where he both observes and is observed.

Our work extends this vision, capturing Afanador’s gaze and the transformative power of photography. Like Goya’s Caprichos, these images blend familiar themes through association and metamorphosis, turning photography into both miracle and mystery. Each shot lingers just beyond reach, on the verge of vanishing into its own fire.

February 21st – 22nd, 2025 Shanghai International Dance Center Theater, Shanghai
August 27th – 28th, 2025 SIDCT, Shanghai
October 1st, 2025 NCPA, Beijing
January 8th – 10th, 2026 Les Gémeaux, Sceaux
January 13th, 2026 SCÈNES VOSGES, Épinal
85 minutes (incl. 15-minute intermission)

Reimagining Satie & Stravinsky in Dance

In Satie / The Rite Of Spring is a double-bill production blending music and dance theater. First initiated in 2021, this world premiere at the Shanghai International Dance Center features the collaboration between Chinese classical musicians and Xie Xin Dance Theatre dancers.

In Satie-The Lightness

This segment features re-arranged versions of Satie’s Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes for piano and vibraphone by Fu Yifei. Choreographer Xie Xin seamlessly integrates musicians as part of the dance ensemble.

The Rite of the Spring-The Rising Road

Based on the original two-piano arrangement, Fu Yifei has re-imagined the orchestral percussion for a version featuring two pianists and two percussionists. Since its 1913 debut, Stravinsky’s monumental score has inspired countless dance productions. Now, Xie Xin—already internationally recognized takes on the challenge of creating a fresh and stunning interpretation of La Sacre du Printemps, performed with this unique instrumental ensemble.

This production promises to be truly one-of-a-kind, showcasing innovative artistry in both music and dance.