As a choreographer, director, dancer, painter, and designer, Shen Wei was steeped in the arts as the son of Chinese opera performers. A dancer from the age of nine, Wei has been established in New York since 1995; he founded SWDA in 2000. Since then, the company has not only accumulated a substantial repertoire, but also an impressive list of performances on stages and in festivals throughout the world. Through performances at venues such as the American Dance Festival, Lincoln Center Festival, and the Venice Biennale, SWDA has become a fixture on the modern dance scene, and Wei himself has received, among many other honors, a MacArthur Genius Fellowship.

The images Wei creates with his highly articulate, sensitive, and poetic company draw us into his world. The references he works from are vast, from Chinese opera to Eastern rituals, transmitting sensations that are both haunting and stunning. Pieces such as Folding, set to Tibetan music, and the site-specific Still Moving, performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011, are fluid, unfolding paintings. Wei creates the costumes, sets, and makeup for his work, as well, and what we see is all of a piece: the complexity of simplicity as told through his exquisite touch.
– (MK)

Shen Wei Dance Arts Information

• Public Transportation: Varies by venue. All New York City venues are easily accessible
• Handicapped Accessibility: Depends on venue, but generally good
• Performances/Programs: Production schedule varies season to season
• Ticket Prices: Varies widely depending on event, venue, and seating selection
• Membership: Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible.