Emptiness: Floating through Molasses – A new exploration of stillness and resistance
A thought provoking new performance, Emptiness: Floating through Molasses, will premiere at Dance City on Thursday, 6th March 2025 at 7:30pm. This evocative contemporary dance piece invites audiences into a meditative world of suspended time, exploring themes of stillness, resistance, and transformation.
Choreographed by a dynamic duo Xiaoyi Tong and Jacob Gale, and performed by Xiaoyi Tong alongside Gregorio Dragoni, Emptiness: Floating through Molasses challenges perceptions of movement and space through innovative choreography and imaginative, ever-changing use of props and digital visuals. The performance, shifts fluidly between playfulness and seriousness, contrasting Chinese and Western dance narratives, and drawing inspiration from the physical sensation of moving through thick, unseen forces, balancing moments of intense resistance with fleeting release.
Choreographer and performer Xiaoyi Tong had this to say about the work:
“We often associate the concept of emptiness with certain spiritual realms, peaceful and infinite, but my personal experience starts from quite a different point. Especially as an artist, we need always to keep productive and creative. It was this parallel between the empty mind before the creative process and the accompanying anxiety, which eld me to explore these themes. This performance is, on the whole, more about pressure rather than peace.”
And co-performer Jacob Gale adds: “This work is an exploration of the tension between holding on and letting go. It’s about finding beauty in the struggle to move forward. The piece also portrays the warmth of human connection—how people support one another while facing their own challenges. Through moments of shared strength, it reveals a deep sense of human connection and mutual understanding, and so we are excited to share this performance with others.”
Audiences can expect a deeply immersive experience, blending contemporary dance, theatrical elements, and a rich visual design to reflect the emotional landscapes of stillness and transition.
Featured image: Yuelin Yang
