Asia+ Festival's multimedia dance "Strangely Familiar" explores relationship between human, technology and culture
Founding artistic director and main choreographer of Singapore's acclaimed T.H.E Dance Company, Kuik Swee Boon, joined forces with Hong Kong dance artist Zelia ZZ Tan to stage the multimedia dance performance "Strangely Familiar" to be held from November 28 to 30. Powered by holographic projection and cutting-edge technology, the production explores what it truly means to coexist across cultures in a chaotic world. "Strangely Familiar", one of the programmes of the Asia+ Festival 2025, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is also part of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre's opening season lineup.
Directed by Kuik, "Strangely Familiar" unites a team from Singapore and Malaysia along with Hong Kong and Macao artists in a bold attempt to dissolve the boundaries between cultures, identities and realities. By letting go of labels and assumptions, the work opens space for a shared humanity that feels strange yet familiar amidst different cultures. Part of the content was filmed in Hong Kong and Macao, blending with different soundscapes including Southeast Asian elements, traditional instruments, synthesisers and also human voice to create a highly anticipated new creation. Tan will also appear with a virtual presence, inviting the audience to rethink connection, presence, and existence across both physical and digital realms.
T.H.E Dance Company is lauded for its distinctive choreographic voice. Its 2011 production, "As It Fades", was hailed as a landmark in Asia's contemporary dance scene. Now, in this new commission by Asia+ Festival and the Singapore International Festival of Arts, the company unveils the world premiere of "Strangely Familiar" in Hong Kong - a thought-provoking encounter not to be missed.
"Strangely Familiar" will be staged at 8pm on November 28, at 3pm and 8pm on November 29, and at 2pm and 6pm on November 30 at The Turns of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, with tickets priced at $500. There will be a meet-the-artist session after each performance.
In addition, a dance workshop priced at $240 will be held on November 30 from 10am to 11.30am at Incubator 2 of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, with Kuik Swee Boon as the instructor. The workshop will be conducted in English and Putonghua. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX". For more details, please visit: www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en/strangely-familiar.
The Asia+ Festival is held annually from September to November with the aim of creating a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. While focusing on Asia, the Festival this year also connects Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Now in its third edition, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, take part in the Festival. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk.
Asia+ Festival's multimedia dance "Strangely Familiar" explores relationship between human, technology and culture Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asia+ Festival's multimedia dance "Strangely Familiar" explores relationship between human, technology and culture Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asia+ Festival's multimedia dance "Strangely Familiar" explores relationship between human, technology and culture Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
