Following her award at YDC Competition I in Dec. 2021 and a residency at the French National Dance Center, Nakagawa’s latest work explores the theme of life and death, continuing the exploration from her award-winning piece “my choice, my body,”. The inspiration for this work comes from the Latin tomb inscription “NF F NS NC” — “I was not, I was, I am not, I care not” (also translated as “I did not exist, then I existed, now I no longer exist, and I worry not”). These words evoke in the choreographer a fundamental image of life and death, where life inhabits the body and eventually departs. The piece draws on imagery of rice ready for harvest, features music incorporating traditional Japanese instruments in collaboration with musicians, and uses costumes inspired by Asian aesthetics. Additionally, it integrates movements from Japanese dance, focusing on everyday gestures and a lowered center of gravity in the abdomen. This work will mark a new frontier for ＜Suichu-megane∞＞.

Awarded the Jury Prize at YDC Competition I in 2022, LIU I-Ling’s “… and, or…” a 25-minute duet on the matter of “Decision-Making.” Choreographer LIU I-Ling explores the conditions and choices for establishing relationships while searching for the difference between pushing the boundary and overstepping it. The choreography evolves intricate, and sharp sequence of movements, posing an extreme challenge to the chemistry between the two dancers – who are sometimes cautious and delicate, sometimes humorous and playful, sometimes tense and on edge, and other times sulky and at odds. Music-free performance draws audiences more intently on the dancers’ bodies, breathing, and center of gravity as well as brings them back to the authentic dance itself.