Mapping Shen Wei’s Course

I wrote a feature on Shen Wei for The Times Arts and Leisure section this week, tracing the progress of Shen Wei since his arrival in the US in 1995. In a few weeks (opening April 29), his company will be performing a revival of his 2005 work “Map,” a dizzying puzzle of a dance set to Steve Reich, at Judson Church. This time, though, the piece will be set in the round, with many “fronts.” Shen’s original designs, hand-painted sketches by his composition notes, had to be re-imagined. Shen came up with an ingenious solution: applying the sketches to balloons that will float above the dancers. In addition, Shen will be performing a new ten-minute solo, set to music by Arvo Pärt and John Adams.